August 28 - 30, 2020
Jason and I decided to getaway for a weekend in Napa and we thought it would be more fun if you joined us. This is a private exclusive experience. We rented out an entire ranch near Rutherford just for our group. You'll have the opportunity to hike vineyard trails and the surrounding hills, enjoy a drink by the pool, and relax in the hot tub among other things.
We are also arranging some private wine tastings at some local wineries just for our group.
We are also arranging some private wine tastings at some local wineries just for our group.
August 28: The caravan departs at 10am
We'll hop in our cars and make our way north to Wine Country.
Consider making a few stops along the cheese trail on our way to Napa. We can all meet at Marin French Cheese and connect from there.
My favorites stops are:
We may consider a private chocolate tasting at Volo Chocolate before checking in at RustRidge Ranch.
This afternoon we'll enjoy hors d'ouevres in the country kitchen and sample RustRidge wines.
Dinner will be served at 7pm. Menu TBD.
August 29: Wine tasting
Hearty ranch-style breakfast included this morning.
Today we'll visit three small boutique wineries. These are all private tasting only so just our group will be served. You won't find these wines in stores. These are only available for purchase directly from the winery.
Redmon Wines
Each year we produce no more than 1,000 cases of wine. Our signature St. Helena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is limited to about 300 cases per year. To put things in perspective, each year the Napa Valley produces millions of cases!
We love making handcrafted, limited-production wines. Our hands do the work, not machines. Each Fall at harvest, we hand-sort the fruit from our vineyard early in the morning when the grapes are cool to the touch. We pick out raisins and any fruit that is imperfect. We do this by hand, and we do it twice!
Experience
During your private experience, we will show you around the property, talk about the unique qualities of the Napa Valley, share our Redmon family story, and the best part: sit down at our farm table to taste our limited production wines paired with small bites. There is always friendly conversation, laughter, and fabulous wines.
Location
Redmon Wines - MAP
867 Dowdell Lane, St. Helena, CA 94574
707-235-0282
visit@redmonwines.com
Rarecat Wines
Combining American sensibility and love of the land with a Bordeaux palate and winemaking education rooted in old world traditions. The blending of these two worlds has define a RARECAT wine style based on elegance and balance. RARECAT Wines is built on the philosophy of a Joie de Vivre life. A joy of everything that connects people at the table over a glass of wine. Connecting to important things in life, and experiencing joy with the people you love, cherish, and want to meet!
Fortunati
Truly an artisanal winery, the Luchtel's are very much hands-on and intimately involved with all aspects of their label. Nestled amongst their vines, they oversee each row from their home, and each vine as they walk their dogs. Ellen is often pouring wines for guests, and Gary may drop in to visit, too. Each bottle is a personal expression of their passion for fine wines, carefully tended and crafted with the utmost precision to display each varietal's characteristics. Whether the grapes are estate grown on the ten-acres of the Fortunati Vineyards Estate, or are sourced from a carefully selected grower, the diversity and range of wines Fortunati crafts is sure to provide something for everyone's enjoyment!
Dinner is included this evening. We just need your help to wash dishes.
We'll hop in our cars and make our way north to Wine Country.
Consider making a few stops along the cheese trail on our way to Napa. We can all meet at Marin French Cheese and connect from there.
My favorites stops are:
- Marin French Cheese - My favorite cheese is their Petit Breakfast, but don't be shy. Try them all and take your favorite back to your hotel room and enjoy with a nice glass of wine.
- Achadinha Cheese Co. - Be sure to make reservations in advance. The owner will give you a tour of the cheese making process and let you try cheeses at various stages in their aging process. She also has butter which is amazing and her Bavarian cream is to die for. Let me know if this interests you and I'll make reservations on your behalf.
- Petaluma Creamery - This is the perfect lunch stop set in old downtown Petaluma. They have a self serve cheese tasting experience with many different kinds of cheeses to try. They offer tasty sandwiches, but be sure to save some room for the homemade ice cream.
We may consider a private chocolate tasting at Volo Chocolate before checking in at RustRidge Ranch.
This afternoon we'll enjoy hors d'ouevres in the country kitchen and sample RustRidge wines.
Dinner will be served at 7pm. Menu TBD.
August 29: Wine tasting
Hearty ranch-style breakfast included this morning.
Today we'll visit three small boutique wineries. These are all private tasting only so just our group will be served. You won't find these wines in stores. These are only available for purchase directly from the winery.
Redmon Wines
Each year we produce no more than 1,000 cases of wine. Our signature St. Helena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is limited to about 300 cases per year. To put things in perspective, each year the Napa Valley produces millions of cases!
We love making handcrafted, limited-production wines. Our hands do the work, not machines. Each Fall at harvest, we hand-sort the fruit from our vineyard early in the morning when the grapes are cool to the touch. We pick out raisins and any fruit that is imperfect. We do this by hand, and we do it twice!
Experience
During your private experience, we will show you around the property, talk about the unique qualities of the Napa Valley, share our Redmon family story, and the best part: sit down at our farm table to taste our limited production wines paired with small bites. There is always friendly conversation, laughter, and fabulous wines.
Location
Redmon Wines - MAP
867 Dowdell Lane, St. Helena, CA 94574
707-235-0282
visit@redmonwines.com
Rarecat Wines
Combining American sensibility and love of the land with a Bordeaux palate and winemaking education rooted in old world traditions. The blending of these two worlds has define a RARECAT wine style based on elegance and balance. RARECAT Wines is built on the philosophy of a Joie de Vivre life. A joy of everything that connects people at the table over a glass of wine. Connecting to important things in life, and experiencing joy with the people you love, cherish, and want to meet!
Fortunati
Truly an artisanal winery, the Luchtel's are very much hands-on and intimately involved with all aspects of their label. Nestled amongst their vines, they oversee each row from their home, and each vine as they walk their dogs. Ellen is often pouring wines for guests, and Gary may drop in to visit, too. Each bottle is a personal expression of their passion for fine wines, carefully tended and crafted with the utmost precision to display each varietal's characteristics. Whether the grapes are estate grown on the ten-acres of the Fortunati Vineyards Estate, or are sourced from a carefully selected grower, the diversity and range of wines Fortunati crafts is sure to provide something for everyone's enjoyment!
Dinner is included this evening. We just need your help to wash dishes.
August 30: Depart by 2pm
Hearty ranch-style breakfast included
Today we can play it by ear. Consider visiting some of the larger estate wineries mentioned in the "Other Attractions" tab. Appointments are recommended. Or choose one of the optional experiences or places to eat mentioned in the "Other Attractions" as well.
Hearty ranch-style breakfast included
Today we can play it by ear. Consider visiting some of the larger estate wineries mentioned in the "Other Attractions" tab. Appointments are recommended. Or choose one of the optional experiences or places to eat mentioned in the "Other Attractions" as well.
RustRidge Bed & Breakfast
2910 Lower Chiles Valley Road
St. Helena, CA 94574
We've rented out the entire property just for our group so we can enjoy each others company and relax with some beautiful scenery.
RustRidge welcomes us with 7 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, living room, and kitchen in the main house + separate private cottage with king bed, bathroom, living room, and kitchen.
This Southwestern ranch-style Bed & Breakfast has sweeping views of the vineyards, pastures, hillsides and ancient oak trees. The accommodations have a very quaint homey feel to them. We have reserved the entire property so that means we'll have the pool, hot tub, sauna, trails and everything else to ourselves.
The property includes comfortable bedrooms with queen size featherbeds, private bathrooms, decks, a large open beamed living room with a fireplace and a sunlit breakfast room where guests are served a hearty ranch-style breakfast.
At the ranch, you can play tennis, bird watch, lounge in the sun, jog, relax in a eucalyptus sauna, barbecue, or hike to your hearts content through the vineyards and hills surrounding and protecting the awe-inspiring Chiles Valley.
Other activities in the area include fishing at Lake Hennessey, boating at Lake Berryessa, or motor touring the historic Napa Valley sampling fine wines and fine foods.
2910 Lower Chiles Valley Road
St. Helena, CA 94574
We've rented out the entire property just for our group so we can enjoy each others company and relax with some beautiful scenery.
RustRidge welcomes us with 7 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, living room, and kitchen in the main house + separate private cottage with king bed, bathroom, living room, and kitchen.
This Southwestern ranch-style Bed & Breakfast has sweeping views of the vineyards, pastures, hillsides and ancient oak trees. The accommodations have a very quaint homey feel to them. We have reserved the entire property so that means we'll have the pool, hot tub, sauna, trails and everything else to ourselves.
The property includes comfortable bedrooms with queen size featherbeds, private bathrooms, decks, a large open beamed living room with a fireplace and a sunlit breakfast room where guests are served a hearty ranch-style breakfast.
At the ranch, you can play tennis, bird watch, lounge in the sun, jog, relax in a eucalyptus sauna, barbecue, or hike to your hearts content through the vineyards and hills surrounding and protecting the awe-inspiring Chiles Valley.
Other activities in the area include fishing at Lake Hennessey, boating at Lake Berryessa, or motor touring the historic Napa Valley sampling fine wines and fine foods.
Napa
One of California's two major wine regions (the other being the Sonoma Valley in neighboring Sonoma County), the Napa Valley is among the most colorful getaways in California, combining fine wines, extraordinary natural beauty, rich history, and fabulous lodgings and dining.
Click here for more information
Popular Wineries
Castle Winery: The most beautiful wineries in Napa Valley simply must start with the most epic Castello Di Amorosa, the only authentic medieval (13th-century) Italian Tuscan castle and winery built in America, officially lowered its drawbridge for business in April 2007. Castello di Amorosa is nestled in the western hills on 171 acres just minutes south of The Napa Valley town of Calistoga.
The Castello has evolved to include over 136,000 square feet, including 107 rooms (90 of which are devoted to winemaking and wine storage); an enormous Great Hall with 2-story replica Tuscan frescoes painted by Italian artists and a 500-year old fireplace; 8,000 tons of hand-chiseled stones; 8 levels (4 above ground and 4 below); a drawbridge, dungeon and torture chamber; medieval church; and arguably the single most impressive wine barrel room in the U.S., with ancient Roman cross-vaulted ceilings.
Ruthorford Hill: Rutherford Hill is a larger winery featuring cave tours. They store their wine in a cave for fermenting so it was really fun to visit. The tasting hosts were friendly and talkative and poured a good glass of wine. Public cave tours are available daily at 11:30 am, 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm Monday to Friday and 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm and 3:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday. The exterior of the winery includes a number of shady picnic areas in groves of trees and a large shaded courtyard. With typical Napa temperatures - this is one comfortable place to visit.
Robert Mondavi: Robert Mondavi established his namesake winery in 1966 with a vision to create Napa Valley wines that would stand in the company of the world's finest. He chose To Kalon Vineyard in the heart of the Napa Valley as the home for Robert Mondavi Winery. This first-growth vineyard, located in Oakville, California, is renowned for producing some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon wines in the world, as well as for its Sauvignon Blanc grapes, from which Mr. Mondavi crafted his signature wine, Fumé Blanc.
Two tasting rooms feature the winery's limited production and reserve wines by the glass and also by the flight and gives visitors the opportunity to discuss wines with very knowledgeable wine educators. Also on view is the permanent art collection throughout the winery grounds.
Opus One: Naming a winery Opus One sets some seriously high expectations. A musical term that comes from the Latin oper, Opus One is attributed to a composition generally considered to be a composer’s first masterpiece. Launched in 1979, when interest in Napa winemaking was still nascent, Opus One is an ambitious joint venture between two of the world’s most esteemed winemaking figures. It achieved near-overnight critical acclaim, matching the lofty aspirations of its name. Nearly 40 years on, Opus One remains one of the most sought-after bottlings in Napa Valley.
Beringer: Beringer Vineyards is a large winery in St. Helena, California. Founded in 1876, Beringer Vineyards is "the oldest continuously operating winery in the Napa Valley", and is listed under both the National Register of Historical Places and as a California Historical Landmark.
Grgich Hills: Grgich Hills offers a cornucopia of experiences for visitors, including a variety of tours. Still, there’s something to be said for their decidedly old-school tasting bar. With a wide variety of menus available, there’s a tasting for basically every palate. Their Cabernet Sauvignon vertical offers visitors to Napa the rare opportunity to taste six vintages back-to-back, allowing you to grasp the nuances of each year. During crush season they often offer a grape stomping experience. Don’t miss the Chardonnay and their dessert wine “Violetta”.
Tamber Bey: Tamber Bey is located at Sundance Ranch, an equestrian facility for performance horses, and the tasting room is tucked in the spectacular original barn clubhouse designed by Napa Valley architect Howard Backen. Seriously, it’s smack in the middle of the training grounds, amidst the paddocks and opening onto a courtyard surrounded by the palace-worthy 16-stall barn. There’s horse art on the wine labels, and horse art as a mural overlooking the rich wood-paneled tasting room. And, if you’re lucky, when you sit on the lushly landscaped patio there will be some horses for you to watch in the posh stalls framing the courtyard. Merlin, the black horse usually found in the pasture, is always happy to pose for photographs. Pack a few carrots for him in your picnic.
Wineries close to RustRidge
Kuleto Estate
Located on the eastern edge of the Napa Valley in the hills above Lake Hennessey and the town of Rutherford, this extraordinary mountaintop estate features 82 individual vineyard blocks, three distinctive soil types, and a range of elevations and exposures. From this rich and diverse palette of fruit, Kuleto Estate produces a small portfolio of exceptional estate grown wines.
Kuleto Estate wines are 100% estate-grown, produced and bottled. With 82.9 acres of vines planted between 800 and 1,450 feet, each of the 100+ micro-blocks must receive individualized treatment to maximize their potential. Winemaker Giovanni Verdejo has been working at Kuleto since 2002 and has mastered the art of cultivating the unique personalities of each block into some of the finest mountain estate wines in the Napa Valley.
Brown (estate tasting location)
At Brown we do two things extraordinarily well: wine and hospitality. Experience something utterly unique in the Napa Valley. In 1980 our parents purchased an abandoned ranch in the eastern hills of the Napa Valley. They rehabilitated the crumbling homestead and planted viniferous grapes — which for a decade we farmed and sold to local winemakers. In 1995 we kids decided to make our own wine.
Experiences to consider during free time
Restaurant Recommendations for Lunch or on day of departure
While breakfast and dinner are included at RustRidge, you may consider visiting these restaurants during lunch or on Sunday.
Yountville has nice shops and great dining. There are at least 9 Michelin rated restaurants in this town. French Laundry, Bottega, Bouchon, and Ad Hoc are some of the most notable.
One of California's two major wine regions (the other being the Sonoma Valley in neighboring Sonoma County), the Napa Valley is among the most colorful getaways in California, combining fine wines, extraordinary natural beauty, rich history, and fabulous lodgings and dining.
Click here for more information
Popular Wineries
Castle Winery: The most beautiful wineries in Napa Valley simply must start with the most epic Castello Di Amorosa, the only authentic medieval (13th-century) Italian Tuscan castle and winery built in America, officially lowered its drawbridge for business in April 2007. Castello di Amorosa is nestled in the western hills on 171 acres just minutes south of The Napa Valley town of Calistoga.
The Castello has evolved to include over 136,000 square feet, including 107 rooms (90 of which are devoted to winemaking and wine storage); an enormous Great Hall with 2-story replica Tuscan frescoes painted by Italian artists and a 500-year old fireplace; 8,000 tons of hand-chiseled stones; 8 levels (4 above ground and 4 below); a drawbridge, dungeon and torture chamber; medieval church; and arguably the single most impressive wine barrel room in the U.S., with ancient Roman cross-vaulted ceilings.
Ruthorford Hill: Rutherford Hill is a larger winery featuring cave tours. They store their wine in a cave for fermenting so it was really fun to visit. The tasting hosts were friendly and talkative and poured a good glass of wine. Public cave tours are available daily at 11:30 am, 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm Monday to Friday and 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm and 3:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday. The exterior of the winery includes a number of shady picnic areas in groves of trees and a large shaded courtyard. With typical Napa temperatures - this is one comfortable place to visit.
Robert Mondavi: Robert Mondavi established his namesake winery in 1966 with a vision to create Napa Valley wines that would stand in the company of the world's finest. He chose To Kalon Vineyard in the heart of the Napa Valley as the home for Robert Mondavi Winery. This first-growth vineyard, located in Oakville, California, is renowned for producing some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon wines in the world, as well as for its Sauvignon Blanc grapes, from which Mr. Mondavi crafted his signature wine, Fumé Blanc.
Two tasting rooms feature the winery's limited production and reserve wines by the glass and also by the flight and gives visitors the opportunity to discuss wines with very knowledgeable wine educators. Also on view is the permanent art collection throughout the winery grounds.
Opus One: Naming a winery Opus One sets some seriously high expectations. A musical term that comes from the Latin oper, Opus One is attributed to a composition generally considered to be a composer’s first masterpiece. Launched in 1979, when interest in Napa winemaking was still nascent, Opus One is an ambitious joint venture between two of the world’s most esteemed winemaking figures. It achieved near-overnight critical acclaim, matching the lofty aspirations of its name. Nearly 40 years on, Opus One remains one of the most sought-after bottlings in Napa Valley.
Beringer: Beringer Vineyards is a large winery in St. Helena, California. Founded in 1876, Beringer Vineyards is "the oldest continuously operating winery in the Napa Valley", and is listed under both the National Register of Historical Places and as a California Historical Landmark.
Grgich Hills: Grgich Hills offers a cornucopia of experiences for visitors, including a variety of tours. Still, there’s something to be said for their decidedly old-school tasting bar. With a wide variety of menus available, there’s a tasting for basically every palate. Their Cabernet Sauvignon vertical offers visitors to Napa the rare opportunity to taste six vintages back-to-back, allowing you to grasp the nuances of each year. During crush season they often offer a grape stomping experience. Don’t miss the Chardonnay and their dessert wine “Violetta”.
Tamber Bey: Tamber Bey is located at Sundance Ranch, an equestrian facility for performance horses, and the tasting room is tucked in the spectacular original barn clubhouse designed by Napa Valley architect Howard Backen. Seriously, it’s smack in the middle of the training grounds, amidst the paddocks and opening onto a courtyard surrounded by the palace-worthy 16-stall barn. There’s horse art on the wine labels, and horse art as a mural overlooking the rich wood-paneled tasting room. And, if you’re lucky, when you sit on the lushly landscaped patio there will be some horses for you to watch in the posh stalls framing the courtyard. Merlin, the black horse usually found in the pasture, is always happy to pose for photographs. Pack a few carrots for him in your picnic.
Wineries close to RustRidge
Kuleto Estate
Located on the eastern edge of the Napa Valley in the hills above Lake Hennessey and the town of Rutherford, this extraordinary mountaintop estate features 82 individual vineyard blocks, three distinctive soil types, and a range of elevations and exposures. From this rich and diverse palette of fruit, Kuleto Estate produces a small portfolio of exceptional estate grown wines.
Kuleto Estate wines are 100% estate-grown, produced and bottled. With 82.9 acres of vines planted between 800 and 1,450 feet, each of the 100+ micro-blocks must receive individualized treatment to maximize their potential. Winemaker Giovanni Verdejo has been working at Kuleto since 2002 and has mastered the art of cultivating the unique personalities of each block into some of the finest mountain estate wines in the Napa Valley.
Brown (estate tasting location)
At Brown we do two things extraordinarily well: wine and hospitality. Experience something utterly unique in the Napa Valley. In 1980 our parents purchased an abandoned ranch in the eastern hills of the Napa Valley. They rehabilitated the crumbling homestead and planted viniferous grapes — which for a decade we farmed and sold to local winemakers. In 1995 we kids decided to make our own wine.
Experiences to consider during free time
- Consider visiting Calistoga. A picturesque town famous for mud bath's and spring water.
- Dine at one of Yountville's many Michelin rated restaurants.
- Enjoy tastings at many wineries via the Napa Wine Train. You may also enjoy lunch on this elegant vintage style train.
- If you're feeling active, take a bike tour through the picturesque valley.
- Napa Valley Hot-Air-Balloon Ride with Sparkling Wine Toast
- Napa Valley Wine Train with Gourmet Lunch
Restaurant Recommendations for Lunch or on day of departure
While breakfast and dinner are included at RustRidge, you may consider visiting these restaurants during lunch or on Sunday.
- Napa Valley Olive Oil Company for picnic style lunch
- Model Bakery for English muffins
- Gotts Drive-In
- Auberge du Soleil restaurant at the resort for the best views of Napa Valley
- Goose & Gaze English style pub for food and amazing cocktails
- Brasswood for fresh pulled mozzarella. You may not see it on the menu. You have to ask for it.
- Bruschetteria food truck by Cliff Family Farm. Yes, the same family that makes Cliff Bars.
Yountville has nice shops and great dining. There are at least 9 Michelin rated restaurants in this town. French Laundry, Bottega, Bouchon, and Ad Hoc are some of the most notable.
