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Do You Know Napa Valley’s Big Three?

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I originally posted this article in 2017. As of this month in 2021, there are limited wine tasting opportunities in the Napa Valley. We can enjoy Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley and learn a few facts about these “Big Three” grapes at home.

napa valley wine facts

Welcome to the world-famous Napa Valley.

Napa Valley’s Big Three – Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon

If you travel to the Napa Valley or consume Napa Valley wines, here is what you should know about Napa Valley’s “Big Three.”  Let us begin with Chardonnay. Do you have your glass of Chardonnay in hand?

Napa Valley Chardonnay

Chardonnay accounts for 6,397 acres of vineyards in the Napa Valley. Chardonnay represents 15% of the vineyard acres in the Napa Valley.  The average price per ton of Chardonnay grapes is $2,952.  Among the “Big Three,” Chardonnay offers the winemaker the most flexibility in creating a wide range of flavor profiles. It can be produced in stainless steel, neutral oak barrels, and French or American oak. There are also different winemaking treatments, such as battonage and malolactic fermentation. The result is Chardonnay wine that can range in character from light and fruity to robust, with creamy butter and big oak flavors. Chardonnay tends to love cool climates and the Carneros region fits that environment.  Hillside regions also offer cool climates, and many flavorful Chardonnays come from the hillside vineyards on Spring Mountain. One interesting idea is to try Chardonnay at the two extremes. Hendry Winery in the Napa Valley makes an unoaked Chardonnay. It is fermented and aged in stainless steel and not allowed to go through malolactic fermentation. Compare it to the Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay. This wine undergoes malolactic fermentation in barrel and spends nine months aging in American and French oak. The two wines show the versatility of Napa Valley Chardonnay.

Napa Valley Merlot

Now pour yourself a glass of Napa Valley Merlot. Today there are 4,707 acres of Merlot planted in the Napa Valley, fetching an average price of $3000 per ton. Merlot is a grape that grows well in many climates but it particularly likes climates with cooler temperatures like Carneros, Oak Knoll and mountain hillsides. In contrast to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot tends to be a softer and not as intense wine. Both are Bordeaux wines, Merlot being the grape of choice in the Right Bank of Bordeaux.

Merlot nearing harvest in the Napa Valley

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Now for the King of Grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon. Napa Valley has 20,342 acres (45% of the vineyard acreage) of Cabernet Sauvignon vines. The average price per ton is $6,289. This represents 64% of the total value of grapes in the Napa Valley. There are several “Cult Cabernet” producers of Cabernet Sauvignon. The price for these wines can be astronomical. Screaming Eagle, Harlan, and Bryant Family Vineyard are examples of highly sought-after Cabs selling at high prices. These wineries have a waiting list to get on the buying list. But there are affordable Cabs in the Napa Valley, and excellent Cabernets can be purchased for under $20. Black Stallion and Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet are two examples.

 

More information on the wines of the Napa Valley

When will we be able to travel safely to the Napa Valley? Perhaps mid-way through 2021? However, you can enjoy the “Big Three” wines of the Napa Valley in the comfort of your home. Enjoy and discover these famous wines of the Napa Valley.

 

Chardonnay vineyard
Chardonnay vineyard
Merlot grapes St. Emilion
Merlot grapes
photo of Joe and Janelle
Joe and Janelle – Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards in St. Helena AVA

Legend of Stag’s Leap

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legend of stags leap

Stag’s Leap – the craggy portion of the mountain

Legend of Stag’s Leap and the land of Cabernet Sauvignon

Stag’s Leap legend tells the tale that the Native Wappo would marvel at a stag that was able to make incredible leaps over the jagged rock formations pictured above. Specifically, the Wappo would witness the stag leaping over the u-shaped rock formation in the center of our photo above.

The stag’s leap was even more impressive when a full moon was situated just above the mountain—the stag’s silhouette against the moon and its impressive jump filtered through the land for many years. Today, the legend lives on in the names of two wineries and the AVA of Stag’s Leap established in 1989. The two wineries are Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and Stag’s Leap Winery.

Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is the more famous and well known because of its historic Cabernet victory in the 1976 Judgement of Paris. Warren Winiarski is one of Napa Valley’s legendary winemakers. His 1973 Stag’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon was rated the top wine at the Judgement of Paris, besting a list that included Grand Cru Bordeaux wines. The results shocked the wine world and brought fame and fortune to the Napa Valley.

In 2007, Warren sold his winery to the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates in the state of Washington and the Antinori Family of Italy.  In 2014, Stag’s Leap Cellars opened a beautiful visitor center and  tasting room facing the mountains and the vineyards below it. It is a dramatic and inspiring view of one of nature’s great works of art.  The Stag’s Leap Cellars tasting room is open daily from 10 to 4:30.  Check the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Website for tasting and touring choices.

Greeter at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars
The Greeter at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars

Stags Leap Winery has an origin date of 1893. The winery is now part of the Treasury Wine Estates. The Stags Leap Winery Website.

Wineries in Stags Leap District AVA

Take a ride along the Silverado Trail, where it begins at Trancas Street and head to the north. The first AVA is Oak Knoll. Oak Knoll gives way to the Stags Leap District AVA. The area is famous for Cabernet Sauvignon. The names of Shafer Vineyards, Pine Ridge, Clos du Val, and Odette Estate are all synonymous with high-quality AVA. See all the wineries in the Stags Leap District AVA.

Additional Napa Valley resources

Recipes from Wine Country – Napa Valley

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Many of us are cooking at home. We are learning, creating, and wine pairing. One of our favorite ways to discover recipes and match with a bottle of wine are recipes from wine country. Many wineries provide fantastic recipes on their Websites. We will start with the Napa Valley and see which dishes are worthy of a try in your home. These are just a few of the wineries in the Napa Valley that post recipes from their resident chef or family members. It is a terrific resource for foodies, home cooks, and wine lovers. If you like a recipe, why not order some wine from the winery’s online wine shop. Treat yourself; you deserve it!

Napa Valley Winery Recipes

Ceja Vineyards

Ceja Vineyards is in the Napa Valley, but its tasting room is in the city of Sonoma. Ceja is one of the leading Mexican Family-run wineries in California. Amelia Ceja has some fantastic recipes on the Ceja Vineyards Website. Here are a few to try.

Robert Sinskey Winery

Robert Sinskey is at the forefront of Biodynamic and sustainable farming. The winery does food pairings and has a beautiful vegetable garden. Check out these recipes from the Robert Sinskey kitchen.

Peju Province Winery

Peju Winery is a fixture on Highway 29 in the Rutherford Area. Peju is family-owned and has long been an advocate of food and wine pairings.

St. Supéry

Since 1989, St. Supéry has remained one of Napa Valley’s excellent wineries. All their wines are Estate wines and certified Napa Green. St. Supéry is on Highway 29 in Rutherford.

Chateau Montelena

Chateau Montelena is in Calistoga, at the northernmost end of the Napa Valley. A lovely Chateau and lake await the visitor to Montelena. Did you know that the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay was the winner of the famous 1976 Judgement of Paris? Read more about this.

Duckhorn Vineyards

Duckhorn Vineyards has a lovely tasting room on Lodi Lane, off the Silverado Trail. Duckhorn Vineyards is famous for its lineup of red wines. Duckhorn owners also have GoldenEye in the Anderson Valley, Paraduxx in the Napa Valley, and Calera in San Benito County.

Silver Oak

Silver Oak is the master of Cabernet Sauvignon. They produce two, one from the Napa Valley and the other from the Alexander Valley. If you love pizza and pasta, Silver Oak has some fantastic recipes from Chef Dominic Orsini.

This is a small sampling of wineries in the Napa Valley that share their recipes and wine pairing suggestions. We enjoy the above wineries and have visited them on many occasions. See Napa Valley Wine Trails

Next time on Wine Country Getaways – Recipes from Sonoma Wine Country

What Does it Cost to Taste Wine in the Napa Valley in 2020

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napa valley tasting room fee index
Provenance winery and tasting room in Rutherford, Napa Valley

Napa Valley Tasting Room Index 2020

We created the Napa Valley Tasting Fee Index in 2014. Our Wine Country Getaways’ Website contains useful planning information for those who wish to visit the wine country. Why not give these folks an idea of what it will cost to taste wine in the Napa Valley.

There was once a time when wineries in the Napa Valley did not charge visitors for sampling wine. They were happy to show off their wines, hoping visitors would buy a few bottles. Then the mobs came to the Napa Valley, and the wineries could not afford to give their wine away. Tasting fees became the norm.

For the Index, we are using ten wineries along Highway 29. Each of these wineries welcomes visitors without a reservation or appointment. Most wineries have different levels of tasting choices. For the Index, we are using the basic, or least expensive, tasting that the winery offers to visitors. Here they are as of February 22, 2020.

Many wineries in the Napa Valley have optional wine tasting experiences beyond the basic tasting. Wine and food pairings seem to be a favorite for many visitors. Then there are the tour-and-tasting packages. Some wineries offer a tasting of their Library or Reserve wines. These tasting choices are expensive. Here a few examples.

  • Beaulieu Vineyards – George De Latour Legacy Tour and Tasting – $125 per person
  • Louis Martini – Underground Cellar – wine and food pairing with Chef Jeffery Russell, 3 hours in duration – $250 per person
  • Alpha Omega – Library tasting of 4 wines – $75 per person
  • Grgich Hills – Wine and Cheese with 4 wines and a host – $50 per person
  • Beringer – Taste of Beringer Tour, one hour – $65 per person
  • Whitehall Lane – Cabernet Flight – $65 per person

The average tasting room fee is $32.50 per person in our unofficial survey of what it costs to taste wine in the Napa Valley. Back in 2014, when we first began the Napa Valley Tasting Fee Index, the average cost of a basic tasting was $18.50. That very much sums up how the Napa Valley wine scene has changed in the last several years. It has become a rich person’s paradise.

Other helpful hints on the Napa Valley

Fun Things to Do in the Napa Valley in December

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Mumm Art Gallery
Visit the Mumm Gallery – then taste sparkling wine

Fun Things to Do in the Napa Valley Now!

December and January are the slowest months for tourism in the Napa Valley. That is why it is a good time to travel to the Napa Valley. There are many beautiful days in December. The vines always look lovely when bare and dormant for the winter. Here are seven fun things to do in the Napa Valley in December.

1. Visit wineries and tasting room with art galleries and exhibits

There several wineries in the Napa Valley that have art galleries and art exhibits. These wineries are usually bustling with visitors during the high season but not in December. Two favorites or ours are Mumm Napa and Hess Collection winery. Check out the Art and Winery Wine Trail.

2. Calistoga Winter in the Wineries Passport

fun in december in the napa valley
Castello di Amorosa is on the Passport list

Each winter season, 16 wineries in the Calistoga AVA provide what they call a Passport Season. For $60 travelers can purchase a Passport that provides free tasting fees at each of the wineries. In addition, the passport provides free corkage at participating Calistoga restaurants and discounts for lodging. The Passport begins on December 7, 2019, and runs to February 9. 2020.

With the tasting fees at Napa Vallely wineries averaging $30, the price tag of $60 is a fantastic deal. Check it out here.

3. Paupers Feast at the Calistoga Inn

The Pauper’s Feast is held every December in the restaurant at the Calistoga Inn. The date for 2019 is Wednesday, December 18. There is a set menu at a very reasonable price and a local group that sings Holiday cheer. The Pauper’s Feast is such a fun event. It is mostly locals, and everyone is bursting with joy. The evening is memorable. 

Reservations are recommended at the Calistoga Inn Restaurant. If you cannot make the Pauper’s Feast, you can substitute a walk up and down the streets of Calistoga. Calistoga is much more laid back than the rest of the Napa Valley. There are plenty of tasting rooms, boutique shops, quaint restaurants, and even a museum. Calistoga rocks!

fun things december napa
Calistoga Inn on Lincoln Avenue in Calistoga

4. Wild Mustard Scene

Towards the end of December, wild mustard will begin to grow in between the rows of vines. Wild Mustard is one of the most beautiful scenes to witness. The beauty is remarkable and it will cheer the soul. Take a drive up some of the mountain routes to catch Mustard on the hillsides.

mustard wine country
Mustard growing in vineyards next to Whitehall Lane Winery in St. Helena

5. Yountville Stroll

Look for the French Laundry Restaurant’s vegetable garden

Yountville has many quaint shops, art studios, and tasting rooms.
We like to stroll Yountville from the landmark V Market Place (1870) north to the trendy R & D Kitchen restaurant. It is about a mile, and there is so much to see. If you have some extra time for a walk or run, take Yount Mill Road. Look for the Bardesanno Hotel and start your trek there. More on Yountville.

6. Take a wine tour

Wine tours are better in December. You will get more attention. There are fewer crowds; therefore, more time to spend with you. We like the tour at Hendry Ranch; it is the best. We also like Beringer Vineyards and Schramsberg. Book ahead for these tours.

in december have fun in napa valley
Tour at Beringer Vineyards is tops

7. Cocktails and Appetizers at the Acacia House

It is always a great time to cozy up in a friendly, warm lounge with a fireplace. One of our favorite spots is the Acacia House. It is also an excellent place for dinner. The Acacia House is an enjoyable spot for a glass of wine or a cocktail along with some nibbles. Relax and enjoy this serene spot.

december in napa valley fun things to do
Appetizers and wine at the Acacia House in St. Helena

Additional Napa Valley resources

What It Will Cost to Taste Wine in the Napa Valley in 2019

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Napa Valley Wine Tasting Fee Index for 2019
Napa Valley Wine Tasting Fee Index for 2019

2019 Napa Valley Wine Tasting Index

We started the Napa Valley Wine Tasting Index Fee in 2014. Back in 2014, the average tasting fee on our Index was $18.50. Today it is $30.50. We are using ten wineries along Highway 29. These wineries allow drop-in visitors to the tasting room. We are using the cost of a basic tasting for this index. In the late 1960s, when Janelle and I first began to visit the Napa Valley, no wineries that we visited charged a tasting fee. Ah, the good old days of the Napa Valley!

This year we were quite surprised to find the smallest increase on a year-to- year basis since we started tracking tasting fees. $30.50 vs $29 from a year ago. Perhaps the wineries are in the mindset that the fees for the entry level tasting fee has reached a saturation point.

Most of the Napa Valley wineries have discovered it is much more profitable to have elaborate wine tastings, accompanied by foods to the match the wines. Indeed, one restaurateur who recently closed his restaurant citied wineries offering food for the decline in his restaurant’s patronage.

Elaborate tastings combining foods, tours, and barrel tasting can easily be over the $100 range. These require reservations.

Wineries and the Basic Tasting Fee

Tasting fees will change periodically throughout the year. Always check the winery’s website for the latest information on tastings and fees.

 

More on Tasting Wines in the Napa Valley

What is the difference between the Napa Valley and Sonoma?

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crossroads of napa valley and sonoma which is better

To the Napa Valley or Sonoma?

What is the difference between the Napa Valley and Sonoma?

Should I travel to the Napa Valley or should I go to Sonoma? What is the difference between the two wine regions and which one is better?

best picnic wineries Sonoma Valley

St. Francis Winery in Sonoma. In the background are the Mayacamus Mountains.

Main differences between the Napa Valley and Sonoma

We travel to the Napa Valley and Sonoma regularly. Wine country travelers often struggle over which to visit. Sometimes they decide to try both on a visit. That’s okay if you have more than a few days. If not, stick to one of these areas a vacation. Here some thoughts from our experience on the differences between the Napa Valley and Sonoma.

Geographic area

The Napa Valley runs north and south for 30 miles. To the south is the city of Napa, and at the northern end is the town of Calistoga. At its widest point, the Napa Valley is five miles. The Sonoma wine region is much larger. The Sonoma Valley runs from the city of Sonoma to Santa Rosa. To the north in Sonoma County are the town of Healdsburg and the Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley wine appellations. To the west of Highway 101, there is the Russian River Valley appellation.
 

Main Towns

The Napa Valley has four tourist destination towns. These are Napa, Yountville, St. Helena, and Calistoga. Sonoma’s most popular destination towns are Sonoma and Healdsburg. In Sonoma County there are very small cities including Geyserville, Forestville, and Sebastopol. All of which are fun wine towns.

Napa Valley compared to Sonoma

Looking down Lincoln Avenue in Calistoga

Vineyards, wine, and tasting rooms

Napa Valley wineries make many varieties of wine. Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon have the greatest vineyard acreage and production. Sonoma has more varieties of wine. These wines include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Zinfandel, and others. The large geographic area of Sonoma lends itself to growing many types of grapes.
 
The Napa Valley wineries are close to one another and are easy to find and visit. Drive along Highway 29 or the Silverado Trail, and there are many wineries to visit. Sonoma wineries are more spread out. There are many more secluded backroads in Sonoma.
 
There is much more traffic and congestion in the Napa Valley. Sonoma is larger, so there are more roads to travel to wineries. Napa Valley tasting rooms can be very crowded with tourists. The same can be said for the popular Sonoma wineries. Many Napa Valley tasting rooms require reservations.
 
Tasting room fees are higher in the Napa Valley by a wide margin. Napa Valley Tasting Room Index

Sonoma vs Napa Valley

Beautiful and quiet backroad in Sonoma County – West Dry Creek Road

Restaurants

Napa Valley wins the restaurant comparison. Napa Valley has many upscale restaurants. It has two top Michelin Star rated restaurants. They are the French Laundry and the Restaurant at Meadowood. The towns of Healdsburg and Sonoma have excellent choices of restaurants. The cost of dining is higher in the Napa Valley.

Napa Valley better than Sonoma

Chef Thomas Keller tends to his French Laundry garden

Lodging

Both the Napa Valley and Sonoma have many great choices for lodging. Budget to luxurious accommodations can be found in both regions.

Is sonoma better than Napa Valley

Madrona Manor – excellent accommodations and upscale restaurant near Healdsburg

Intangibles

  • Napa Valley can be uppity at times.  Sonoma is more laid back.
  • Sonoma has more small and family-owned wineries than the Napa Valley.
  • The Napa Valley is one of the great wine regions of the World.
  • A weekend stay in the Napa Valley will be more expensive than a weekend stay in Sonoma.
  • Do you like to picnic in the vineyards? Sonoma has many more winery picnic areas than does the Napa Valley. Napa County has restrictions on picnicking.
  • Sonoma is a huge geographic area. What exactly do we mean by Sonoma Wine Country. Please read What is Sonoma Wine Country
  • Since COVID, wine country in Napa and Sonoma is different. Most wineries in both regions require reservations for tasting. Always check with the wineries you want to visit.

Conclusion

Both the Napa Valley and Sonoma are sensational wine countries and are both worth a visit. We highly recommend visiting both, but on separate getaways.

Brannan’s Grill Closes in Calistoga

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Brannans grill closes

A twenty-year run for Brannan’s Grill ended in July of 2018

Brannan’s Grill Closes in Calistoga

It is the sign of the times in the Napa Valley. Another one of Napa Valley’s oldest restaurants, Brannan’s Grill closed in Calistoga. It is a different clientele in the Napa Valley these days, even in the sleepy and laid-back town of Calistoga. We have noticed a steady change in the Napa Valley since 2012 when the economy began to boom. San Francisco Area is a mecca for the wealthy and the sophisticated. This sector brings a new breed of traveler to wine country. Brannan’s is more of the old Napa Valley

Calistoga is our favorite town, and we loved coming to Brannan’s to sit at the 1880’s Brunswick mahogany bar. I don’t know the name of the Brannan’s bartender, but he was a friendly and efficient server. We popped into the Brannan’s bar just a few times a year. Each time the bartender remembered Janelle’s favorite cocktail, the Branhattan, the best Manhattan in the Napa Valley.

We hope that the restaurant reopens under new owners and that they have the common sense to keep the beautiful mahogany bar. We will miss Brannan’s Grill.

1880's Brunswick mahogany bar

1880’s Brunswick mahogany bar

More on Calistoga in the Napa Valley

Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen to Close

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Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen to close on July 7, 2018

All the locals know about Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen, it is the spot to talk about wine, vineyards, and everyday Napa Valley life. Tourists love the eclectic menu and the enjoyable atmosphere of Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen. Sadly, Cindy Palwcyn is closing her beloved restaurant on Saturday, July 7, 2018. The word is that Cindy Pawlcyn was offered a proposal she could not refuse and has sold her restaurant to an unnamed buyer. We have been to Cindy’s on several occasions. The small plates are fantastic and fun to share with your friends and family. The wine list is extensive and the wines priced well below most restaurants. Cindy will continue to operate her first Napa Valley Restaurant, Mustard’s Grill in Yountville. Most of the staff at Cindy’s Backstreet will head over to Mustard’s. We will certainly miss this terrific St. Helena restaurant. Read more about the closing of Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen.

stuffed Piquillo Peppers are a favorite

The stuffed Piquillo Peppers are a favorite at Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen

I have two of Cindy’s cookbooks: Mustard’s Grill Napa Valley Cookbook and Big Small Plates by Cindy Pawlcyn  The Piquillo recipe is in Big Small Plates cookbook

Happy Diners at Cindys

The Margrit Mondavi Summer Concert Series 2018

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robert mondavi

 

The Margrit Mondavi Summer Concert Series 2018 – 49th Year

The Margrit Mondavi Summer Concert Series is one of the great summer traditions in the Napa Valley. Check your travel calendar and purchase your tickets as soon as you can. The Margrit Mondavi Summer Concert Series takes place on five consecutive Saturday evenings beginning June 30 through July 28. Tickets are on sale as of April 10.

“The Margrit Mondavi Summer Concert Series began in 1969 when Mrs. Mondavi’s passion for the arts was put on the big stage. In its 49-year history, the series has raised millions of dollars to support a number of Napa Valley-based charitable music organizations. In keeping with this tradition, Robert Mondavi Winery will donate proceeds from this year’s ticket sales to the Napa Valley Unified School District’s music programs.” 

For additional information and to purchase tickets, including General Admission, Reserve Patio, and Dinner in To Kalon Vineyard, visit www.robertmondaviwinery.com or universe.com. For additional inquiries please contact concerts@robertmondaviwinery.com.

Robert Mondavi concert series

 

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