Destination Napa Valley with Kyle on East Beck Street!
I am from Northern California, originally Atherton in Silicon Valley. My mother who lived in California was dying and I went with my older son, Roth in June 2020 to see her during her final days despite Covid 19 risks. The wineries had just reopened and we decided to spend a day in nearby fabulous Napa Valley with my bestie Rachel and goddaugher Riley who live in the Bay Area.
We started at Raymond Vineyard in St. Helena which is owned by Jean-Charles Boisset who is from a winery family in Burgundy, France. He decided to expand the family owned French wine operation to California and "bring the old world, to the new world, to create one world". He is very entertaining and married to Gina Gallo (the Gallo family are the largest family owned wine company in the world). He works with highly awarded winemakers to make excellent wine.
We started at Raymond Vineyard in St. Helena which is owned by Jean-Charles Boisset who is from a winery family in Burgundy, France. He decided to expand the family owned French wine operation to California and "bring the old world, to the new world, to create one world". He is very entertaining and married to Gina Gallo (the Gallo family are the largest family owned wine company in the world). He works with highly awarded winemakers to make excellent wine.
Raymond has a whimsical look and feel.
Raymond’s 90-acre estate vineyards in Rutherford and 90-acre estate vineyards in Rutherford and St. Helena are certified organic and Biodynamic®, holistic farming methods that are hallmarks of Boisset family properties worldwide, including DeLoach Vineyards in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley. In addition to CCOF and Demeter Biodynamic, the Raymond vineyards are also certified by Napa Green, Fish Friendly Farming and the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.
Raymond’s 90-acre estate vineyards in Rutherford and 90-acre estate vineyards in Rutherford and St. Helena are certified organic and Biodynamic®, holistic farming methods that are hallmarks of Boisset family properties worldwide, including DeLoach Vineyards in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley. In addition to CCOF and Demeter Biodynamic, the Raymond vineyards are also certified by Napa Green, Fish Friendly Farming and the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.
Roth and Riley having fun with the dangling picture frames at Raymond Vineyard.
Rachel enjoying the 2018 Chardonnay Estate Collection.
Next stop Duckhorn Wine Company Vineyard.
Co-founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in 1976, Duckhorn Vineyards has spent forty years establishing itself as one of North America’s premier producers of Napa Valley wines. From its modest inaugural vintage of 800 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon and 800 cases of Merlot in 1978, to its addition of Sauvignon Blanc in 1982, Duckhorn Vineyards has crafted a tradition of quality and excellence that continues today.
We enjoyed our Duckhorn wine tasting on the side porch.
The wineries had reopened, but few people knew about it, so each tasting felt like a private wine event just for us.
The wineries had reopened, but few people knew about it, so each tasting felt like a private wine event just for us.
Caymus Vineyards was our final tasting.
Caymus Vineyards produces two Cabernets Sauvignons – a “Napa Valley” and the venerable “Special Selection”. Both Cabernet bottlings have aromas and flavors which can only be achieved through “hang time” – a technique which chances the loss of crop if early winter sets in. Leaving the fruit to “hang” on the vine unusually long develops suppleness, increases color, and matures the tannins of the grapes. The wines are abundant in textural tannins yet soft as velvet. Crop thinning, allowing measured sunlight to reach the vine’s fruit zone, and waiting for increased ripeness are all part of our viticultural practices. Caymus Cabernets offer a wide array of aromas and flavors including cocoa, cassis and vanilla.
Caymus Special Selection is the flagship wine of the Wagner family and is comprised of the very best barrels of the vintage. This wine is not produced in difficult years. Caymus Napa Valley is more representative of a standard Cabernet of Napa Valley, as it is a bit less precocious than the Special Selection, but still delivers big. Caymus prides itself on producing wines that are as approachable in youth as well at maturity. Both the “Napa Valley” and “Special Selection” Cabernets are produced under the winemaking hand of Chuck Wagner.
Caymus Vineyards produces two Cabernets Sauvignons – a “Napa Valley” and the venerable “Special Selection”. Both Cabernet bottlings have aromas and flavors which can only be achieved through “hang time” – a technique which chances the loss of crop if early winter sets in. Leaving the fruit to “hang” on the vine unusually long develops suppleness, increases color, and matures the tannins of the grapes. The wines are abundant in textural tannins yet soft as velvet. Crop thinning, allowing measured sunlight to reach the vine’s fruit zone, and waiting for increased ripeness are all part of our viticultural practices. Caymus Cabernets offer a wide array of aromas and flavors including cocoa, cassis and vanilla.
Caymus Special Selection is the flagship wine of the Wagner family and is comprised of the very best barrels of the vintage. This wine is not produced in difficult years. Caymus Napa Valley is more representative of a standard Cabernet of Napa Valley, as it is a bit less precocious than the Special Selection, but still delivers big. Caymus prides itself on producing wines that are as approachable in youth as well at maturity. Both the “Napa Valley” and “Special Selection” Cabernets are produced under the winemaking hand of Chuck Wagner.
Yes, it was wonderful to be in Napa for a day with some of my favorite people. All the memories were special!
Make reservations for tastings in advance.
We met Rachel;s husband, Bill and son, Will for dinner at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena.
What a fabulous restaurant, farm and winery. Highly recommend as a Napa Valley dining destination!
What a fabulous restaurant, farm and winery. Highly recommend as a Napa Valley dining destination!
A day in Napa Valley very much brightened my spirits. A wonderful experience with great friends and family!!
FARMSTEAD
Farmstead includes our restaurant, cafe, general store and farmer's market. Located in scenic St. Helena, we offer our estate-grown wines, organic produce, grass-fed beef and lamb, extra virgin olive oil and more. Enjoy our seasonal, ingredient-driven American farmhouse cooking or shop for ingredients to go
Farmstead includes our restaurant, cafe, general store and farmer's market. Located in scenic St. Helena, we offer our estate-grown wines, organic produce, grass-fed beef and lamb, extra virgin olive oil and more. Enjoy our seasonal, ingredient-driven American farmhouse cooking or shop for ingredients to go
MAYACAMAS ESTATE
Nestled in the mountains high above the Rutherford Bench, this rugged land is home to world-class vineyards, historic olive groves, horses, and the edible gardens the Hall brothers planted as children on the ranch.
Nestled in the mountains high above the Rutherford Bench, this rugged land is home to world-class vineyards, historic olive groves, horses, and the edible gardens the Hall brothers planted as children on the ranch.
RUTHERFORD ESTATE
Once a riverbed on the floor of the Napa Valley, you’ll pass by our Rutherford Estate on the well-traveled Hwy. 29 heading North to Farmstead. Its rich minerally soils are home to vineyards, fruits and vegetables, beehives, and our flock of egg-laying chickens
Once a riverbed on the floor of the Napa Valley, you’ll pass by our Rutherford Estate on the well-traveled Hwy. 29 heading North to Farmstead. Its rich minerally soils are home to vineyards, fruits and vegetables, beehives, and our flock of egg-laying chickens
Go of the Month Napa Valley August 2020
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