opened in late 2011 in the same location as X Winery’s previous tasting room. While no longer the primary winery here, X winery is still involved along with several other wineries who were brought on as partners; their wines are also tasted here. The common thread that binds the represented wineries – is their wine is all made at Bin to Bottle, the custom crush facility located in a business park just south of the city of Napa.
The CEO of Bin to Bottle along with the owners of the winery partners represented opened this tasting room to increase exposure for some of the labels made at their custom crush facility. There are a number of wineries who make their wine at Bin to Bottle and additional vintners may be represented in the future at District 4.
Currently the Napa wineries represented here are X Winery (and their Amicus label), Match Vineyards and Textbook Vineyards (mostly neighboring Marin County based). Fulcrum, while making their wines in Napa sources fruit from neighboring Sonoma County and other parts of California. Each producer brings unique wines to the tasting – not all make wines from the same varietals or in the same style. The wines represented here also have a good range of price.
The wines are available for tasting at the creatively designed metal wine bar (made from half of a stainless steel fermentation tank) as well as on stools next to the main window. You can also order wines by the glass. The tasting room itself has plenty of seating, is hip, colorfully decorated and throws out a good vibe. Because they are open later, this is a good place to stop by before or after dinner – after many of the area wineries have already closed.
The name could mean almost anything – but in fact is homage to the California Department of Agriculture’s designation of Napa County as its 4th viticultural region…District 4.
A highlight of a visit here are their blending sessions appropriately titled “Build a Blend”. There are not many stand alone tasting rooms within the Napa Valley that offer a “blending” experience in addition to the normal tasting. Reservations are requested for one of these sessions – they typically can see a maximum of 10 people. You start with large beakers containing several varietals of wine and then slowly blend until you find a percentage that you enjoy. District 4 will then help you with the bottling, corking and will create a label on site.
While you wait for the final packaging of each wine bottle, you can enjoy any of the wines already open from their partner producers. When you walk out of the tasting room and one of their blending sessions, you will be carrying your own bottles of wine. While you didn’t oversee the fermentation you were directly responsible for the blending – and blending is one of the most crucial parts of any winemaking.
District 4 also rents out their lounge and or blending room for private events.
An iPad station is on site – where you can review various wines from each of the producers.
The tasting room stays open late – daily until 8pm (closed Mondays). When there is a performance at the nearby historic and beautifully renovated Uptown Theatre, they will stay open until midnight. This is in the “West End District” of Napa and two for one tastings are offered on West End Wednesdays.
Website offline: 4/10/13
NOTE: This review has been archived.
REASON: Closed their tasting room in the city of Napa.
Where can I purchase District 4 Napa Valley White Blend? I had this late last year while I was in Napa and now I can’t seem to find it. Thank you!