Cheers Dear Readers,

 

MINER FAMILY WINERY

I just returned home after a long weekend in Napa Valley.  I had a wonderful time drinking the kool-aid (and I mean we drank a lot of it)…I also had some time to reflect on the wine industry and was reminded just how much I love selling wine.  If I had a nickel for every time someone told me they wanted my job, I could retire.  Honestly though I wouldn’t retire, I absolutely love the people.  Some of my best memories have been traveling on work trips.

This visit was particularly fun because I was with my partner Jeff who has never been to Napa before, so it was like taking your kid to Disneyland for the first time.  We were also visiting a great friend of mine Dave Miner, so it was extra special having the time to spend with him and catch up on life.  I went to Napa for the first time ten years ago while I was working for The Wine Company, a distributor out of St. Paul, Minnesota, and we went to Miner’s Winery on my 28th birthday.  Since then it has become a must stop for me every time I am in Napa.  The winery is tucked away on the Silverado Trail and has one of the best tasting rooms.  The outdoor patio has great seating to take in the fantastic view overlooking the valley.  It truly has the friendliest staff that takes you through the impressive wines, starting with Miner Viognier and finishing.  You also get to check out Dave’s guitars, collection of his flagship Oracle, Vineyard designate Pinot’s and this seasons yummy rose!  The tasting room has such a positive vibe you never want to leave.  One of my favorite things to do in Napa is explore the caves and barrel taste and the three of us had a lot of fun at Miner (note my empty glass heading into the caves).

So what else did we do besides hang out with Dave….

 

Our first stop was Fallia (Fay-La), we had an amazing time tasting through Ehren Jordan’s wines, especially the pinots.  They are using cement “eggs” during the fermentation process and the caves are extra neat, especially when you learn that Ehren built them himself and the tasting room (old hunting cabin) is worth the stop.  After our three hour visit (told you I love barrel rooms) we headed up to Calistoga.  We went up to Kennefick Ranch and enjoyed a glass of sauvignon blanc out on their deck overlooking the vineyards.  We were told about music in the park earlier in the day and we decided to go.  We had a great time sampling wines, listening to live music all while taking in the local scenery.

The next morning we went to a personal favorite of mine, Dean & Deluca for coffee and breakfast.  Our first winery visit was Heitz (no tasting fee) we tried a great line-up ranging from Napa Sauvignon Blanc through Zinfandel Ports.  We continued to stroll in and out of wineries for the rest of the day.  Along our weekend journey we also went to Chappellet Winery, the drive up to Pritchard Hill is worth it, even if you don’t get an appointment at the winery.  The winery has a very cool design and the wines are incredible, I enjoyed the chenin blanc surrounded by the barrels and yes I had to take a picture of the 1979 Cabernet.

We wrapped up our weekend Sunday morning at Mumm Napa.  We were mourning the end of our weekend and the bubbles definitely cheered us up.  They have a fun variety of sparkling wines available to try including a pinot meunier and I was easily talked into a wonderful variety.  We ended up joining the wine club, Happy Birthday to me!  Mumm Napa is also located on the Silverado Trail and the winery is surround lush valley floor fruit.  There is also have an art gallery to look through while sipping bubbly.  It was the perfect last stop!

So join me in raising your glass to another successful visit to Napa!  I am already planning my next trip back in October!

Pictures clockwise; Miner Family Winery Welcome Sign, Tasting Room, Jeff, Dave Miner and I in Napa, Miner 1999 Pisoni Pinot Noir, Empty Glass before the Cave.

Chappellet Vineyards, Jeff and I at Mumm, Jeff at CIA Greystone, Mumm Tasting Flight, Mumm Store, Fallia Egg Barrel, Bouchon Escargot, Jeff and I at Chappellet, Jeff and Sarah at Fallia in the Cave, Chappellet 1979 Cabernet, Miner Patio, Jeff and I at Dean & Deluca and Fallia Jeff and Jessica Welcome Sign.