re: Napa winery recommendations

Posted by La Squared

Southwest LA

Member since Feb 2012

470 posts

Posted on 2/22/21 at 7:53 am to skuter

Was scheduled for Silver Oak last time but it was the middle of a heat wave and the outdoor set up didn’t look that comfortable (we had just got done sweating our butts off at Hall) so we cancelled and did Saddleback instead. We did Joseph Phelps last time as well and really weren’t that impressed with them.

Posted by La Squared

Southwest LA

Member since Feb 2012

470 posts

Posted on 2/22/21 at 7:56 am to Panny Crickets

Prefer the better tasting stuff but we try to balance out the trips with a little scenery and a little of the good stuff. Like to mix it up as well between big producers and some of the smaller boutique operators.

Posted by PolarPop5

Baton Rouge, La

Member since Aug 2017

273 posts

Posted on 2/22/21 at 7:57 am to La Squared

If you weren’t impressed with Joseph Phelps I’d love to hear who you were impressed with.

Nm didn’t see you were OP

This post was edited on 2/22/21 at 7:58 am

Posted by t00f

Not where you think I am

Member since Jul 2016

89944 posts

Posted on 2/22/21 at 8:00 am to La Squared

Jarvis

Posted by La Squared

Southwest LA

Member since Feb 2012

470 posts

Posted on 2/22/21 at 8:01 am to LNCHBOX

We usually stay in Napa and do breakfast at Model over by Oxbow. Have gone to Bouchon Bakery in Yountville and have convinced the group that we will try to get reservations at French Laundry this go around.

Posted by La Squared

Southwest LA

Member since Feb 2012

470 posts

Posted on 2/22/21 at 8:06 am to PolarPop5

I think it was a combination of it being miserably hot and not really hitting it off with our hostess. They had the misting fans out there but it didn’t really help make the experience that enjoyable. The hostess was working 2 groups and didn’t seem to into being there that day.

Posted by Browndog

Member since Sep 2020

66 posts

Posted on 2/22/21 at 9:18 am to Coach Yo

Venge is great. FYI, you need a reservation to do a tasting.
Nickel & Nickel
Far Niente
Cave tour at Schramsberg is one of the cooler things I have done there.

Personally we enjoy the smaller places to the bigger commercial stuff, but will do both.

Look at William Harrison, great wine and some of the nicest people you could meet. Every time we have gone Mr. Bill has sat and tasted with us.

Posted by drockw1

Member since Jun 2006

9112 posts

Posted on 2/22/21 at 9:42 am to La Squared

Chase is near St. Helena and is off the beaten path...exceptional Zins

Posted by ruzil

Baton Rouge

Member since Feb 2012

16915 posts

Posted on 2/22/21 at 10:17 am to La Squared

Two of my favorites are Repris and Caspar. Great wines, off the beaten path, and beautiful views. Appt only.

Far Niente and Gundlach Bundshu are also very nice as well.

Have a great trip.

Posted by Dire Wolf

bawcomville

Member since Sep 2008

36642 posts

Posted on 2/22/21 at 10:42 am to Browndog

quote:
Cave tour at Schramsberg is one of the cooler things I have done there.

Exactly what I was going to recommend. I wasn’t big on sparkling wine until that tour, everything they had was great. The tour itself was one of the few worth the extra time.

I would highly recommend getting a driver one day

This post was edited on 2/22/21 at 10:45 am

Posted by Panny Crickets

Fort Worth, TX

Member since Sep 2008

5596 posts

Posted on 2/22/21 at 11:04 am to La Squared

Here goes. These are all appt only and some you'll need to know a member/allocation holder. Work with your concierge and/or driver ASAP if you'd like to get in.

View and great juice:

Vineyard 7 & 8 (ask if they have rose of CS; if so, you'll want to buy some)
Shafer
Fisher
Bond
Kenzo
Brand

Great juice (none of these have bad views, just not known for them):

Morlet (pound for pound, Luc Morlet makes the best wine in Napa Valley IMO)
Dana Estates
Vineyard 29
Caldwell (I would only do this one if you can confirm that John Caldwell "JFC" will host your tasting. If so, do it in the afternoon and make sure you have a driver. It's a f*cking riot)

Second previous recs on:

Schramsberg--cave tour is pretty cool and educational. Don't sleep on their red wines (J. Davies/Davies)
Nickel and Nickel
Quintessa
You'll really enjoy Pride

Have to agree with whoever said not impressed with Joseph Phelps. Love their wines, but the 2 times I've been the staff is just...off. No need for me to ever go back.

Have a damn blast!

Posted by Clint Torres

Member since Oct 2011

2662 posts

Posted on 2/22/21 at 11:08 am to La Squared

Highly recommend Jarvis; unique property and experience; phenomenal wines

Posted by La Squared

Southwest LA

Member since Feb 2012

470 posts

Posted on 2/22/21 at 11:33 am to Dire Wolf

We have a driver that we use and reached out as soon as we agreed on travel dates. Awesome guy.

Posted by VABuckeye

Naples, FL

Member since Dec 2007

35556 posts

Posted on 2/22/21 at 1:05 pm to La Squared

If you want to get away from the cab, cab, cab that can be Napa Valley David Fulton has a petite syrah that is to die for.

Posted by La Squared

Southwest LA

Member since Feb 2012

470 posts

Posted on 2/22/21 at 2:04 pm to VABuckeye

Sorry, fat fingered and downvoted your post.

Thank you all for the suggestions. I like to hear about wineries that aren’t as popular but put out great product (that’s how we got hooked up with Amizetta).

Posted by oreeg

Baton Rouge

Member since Mar 2006

5280 posts

Posted on 2/22/21 at 2:29 pm to La Squared

Caldwell

Got to drink wine at a table in a cave for 2 hours with the owner, John Caldwell. He is a legend in Napa and has the greatest stories about how he got into the wine business.