Heitz Wine Cellars

Please see our updated 2013 review here: Heitz Wine Cellars Revisited

Heitz Wine Cellars is famous for their Martha’s Vineyard Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon and is also one of the very few Napa Valley wineries to still offer complimentary tastings. Heitz Cellars is one of the older wineries and I first visited it back in the early 1970's. It has moved to a new building and Joseph Heitz is no longer with us, but they still make really good wines.

Although Heitz is famous for their Cabs, especially the Martha's Vineyard Cab, I've always liked the Heitz white Burgundian style chardonnay with its dry presentation and its complex minerality. No overly oaked or too buttery Chardonnay here. The Heitz 2007 Zinfandel was a medium to light bodied Zin that was decent for only $22.

The Heitz 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon at $42 is a good value with its nose of blueberries and cherries and its nice balance.  Even better was the smooth Heitz 2006 Bella Oak Bordeaux style Cab at $60 and the excellent Heitz 2006 Martha's Vineyard Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon at $150.  We were surprised to learn that Heitz also sold a port like wine they call Heitz Ink Grade.  It sells for $30 a bottle or $15 a half bottle. Although it did not remind me of a great (and expensive) vintage port, it was exceptionally drinkable and really quite nice for the price.  We bought a bottle.  Heitz is one of those historic Napa Valley wineries that every wine lover should visit.  With their complimentary tastings and great Cabs, they should be high on your list of wineries to visit.

Heitz Wine Cellar
436 Saint Helena Highway 

Saint Helena, CA 94574

(707) 963-3542

Date of visit March 29, 2011