The legendary California wine region of Napa Valley has no shortage of ultra-premium and critically acclaimed wineries, but in this glamorous star-studded region we often find the most joy in visiting small boutique wineries that are rarely on the beaten path. On a recent Napa trip we explored a number of these wonderful small producers, and would like to share some of their stories with all of you.
Salvestrin Winery
Based out of the historic Dr. Crane Vineyard in St. Helena, Salvestrin Winery is one of Napa's most intriguing family owned estates and consistently creates some of the valley's most wonderfully elegant and nuanced wine. We had the opportunity to tour this legendary property and sit down for a tasting of Salvestrin's current releases and were extremely impressed with our experience. Their estate is absolutely gorgeous, and of course their wines thoroughly impressed as well. Their Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon in particular stood out as astoundingly classic, with wonderful tobacco and herbal notes accenting a fresh and vibrant core of dark fruits. For anyone looking for a glimpse into Napa's most genuine and authentic family owned wineries who pursue a more classic and restrained style, we highly recommend Salvestrin.
Patland Estate Vineyards
Perched on a rocky and perilously steep mountain overlooking the heart of Napa Valley, Patland Estate Vineyards is an exciting family owned producer making a terrific range of powerful yet wonderfully balanced wines. We had the chance to visit their property guided by Michael Patland, and we now have renewed appreciation for this mighty boutique operation. Patland's wines capture the concentration, density, and muscular nature of some of Napa's most rugged mountain vineyards, and yet manage to still express great nuance and finesse. We particularly enjoyed getting to experience their 2016 Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, which is a deliciously rich and robust example of an epic vineyard site. Be sure to check out Patland's current releases and of course pay them a visit on your next Napa trip.
Robert Biale Vineyards
Although Zinfandel was once one of the most widely planted grape varieties in Napa Valley, over the years most of the region's Zin-centric vineyards were ripped out and replanted to Cabernet Sauvignon and other highly lucrative Bordeaux grapes. Today only a handful of ancient Zinfandel vineyards remain in the valley, but thankfully a few noble producers are still crafting outstanding wine from these immensely characterful century-old heritage sites. We had the pleasure of visiting one of these wineries who we consider to be among the greatest producers of old vine Zinfandel on earth: Robert Biale Vineyards.
Based out of a beautiful estate property in the Oak Knoll district just north of the town of Napa, the Robert Biale team crafts an incredible range of wines from many of Napa and Sonoma's oldest and most legendary Zinfandel Vineyards. From the Falleri Vineyard in Calistoga to the R.W. Moore Vineyard in Coombsville, the Robert Biale team truly works with an incredible range of one-of-a-kind sites. We found ourselves struck by the elegance, depth, and soulfulness of each of their wines, and we absolutely adored getting such a vivid glimpse into Napa's wonderful past. Theirs are wines that prioritize balance and restraint over ripeness and concentration, and beautifully represent the prominent style made in Napa when it was just a small farming community.
For those looking for a true glimpse into the history of California viticulture, the wines of Robert Biale are absolutely delicious and not to be missed.
RD Winery
Although they are relative newcomers in the Napa Valley wine landscape, RD Winery already stands out for their commitment to making an exceptionally diverse lineup of surprisingly affordable wines. While they still produce classic Napa staples like Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, their eclectic lineup contains offerings ranging from Grüner Veltliner to Grenache all sourced from premier vineyards found throughout the state of California.
On our visit to RD Winery we were struck by both the thoughtfulness and deliciousness of their creations. We found their whites to be exceptionally bright, lively, and fresh, with their Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Grüner Veltliner standing out as both complex and thirst-quenching options. Their reds cover a wide spectrum of styles from a terrifically juicy Cherryhouse Vineyard Zinfandel to a deep and contemplative Rutherford Cabernet, and each beautifully captures the grape and terroir from whence they came.
Perhaps what shocked us most about RD Winery is their incredible price points. This operation is making extremely delicious wine and still providing exceptional value, with a number of bottlings starting as low as $20 when purchased directly through their tasting room. This is all but unheard of today in the premium Napa Valley market, and yet somehow RD Winery has managed to present both outstanding quality and value simultaneously.
For anyone looking to try delicious Napa Valley wine that doesn't break the bank, RD Winery is an incredible discovery.
We hope you get the chance to taste some of these amazing wines on your next Napa trip!
