What can be better then spending a day or two in Napa during harvest? For some wineries things are just getting started. Others are adding to their perfection.
Our focus on our visit Wednesday was on wineries on Howell Mountain. Although we were already familiar with some of the wines of Howell Mountain - Bremer, Viadare and Arkenstone to name a few when we attended the Taste of Howell Mountain which I blogged about in June we were introduced to much more that Howell Mountain had to offer.
Our first visit Wednesday was to White Cottage Ranch which was recently acquired by new owners.
These owners have a new vision so the wines we tasted were excellent but not to be produced again.
This is a rendering of the new facility.
Of the 28 acres in production, according to Alicia, 20 acres have been pulled up and replanted.
White Cottage Ranch will no longer be doing tastings beginning in October.
And the new wines will be a new experience so we look forward to visiting them again in a year or two.
Our next stop was at O'Shaugnessy.
Our hostess, Sawyer greeted us with a glass of 2010 Chardonnay from their property in Oakville.
Next we tasted the 2009 Howell Moutain Cabernet and a 2009 Mt. Veeder Cabernet.
Both of these wines, while different, were both intriguing to our palate.
The cave at O'Shaughnessy.
It turned out that Sawyer was a sorority sister of our niece Shannon at Ole Miss.
It is a small world.
O'Shaughnessy wines are excellent and we look forward to future vintages.
Depending on the grapes this week, harvest is happening.
Our last stop on Wednesday was at Outpost Wines.
K C was a wonderful hostess but the focus of Outpost Wines seemed to be of Grenache and Zinfindel.
Their Cabernet Sauvignon "True Vine" was not available for tasting until January so we were a little disappointed in our visit.
Their Cabernet Sauvignon "True Vine" was not available for tasting until January so we were a little disappointed in our visit.
The views were lovely although the fog never seemed to burn off on Wednesday
Thursday we headed to Spring Mountain .
Spring Mountain Vineyard is becoming a favorite of ours and during our visit they were just harvesting their merlot grapes.
Thursday we headed to Spring Mountain .
Spring Mountain Vineyard is becoming a favorite of ours and during our visit they were just harvesting their merlot grapes.
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Jeridan was our tour guide this time and each tour we always learn more.
A visit to Napa is always a wonderful experience.
Nice couple of days! Do you have any favorite wineries in Paso Robles? We're headed down there in a couple of weeks. Nina
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately we've never been to Paso Robles so I can't help.
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