Del Dotto St. Helena Venetian Estate Winery and Caves

Del Dotto St. Helena Venetian Estate Winery and Caves is very unique and quite amazing!  The mosaic marble floors, fresco paintings by the resident artist Carlo Marchioriand, ornate Venetian architecture (in honor of the Del Dotto family origins), inlaid gold ceilings and opulence make it appear more like an Venetian palace than a winery.  It is a fascinating, exotic and visually stunning winery that provides many photo opportunities.  Their wines, especially their Cabernet Sauvignons and Pinot Noirs, are excellent and their wine cave tour and barrel tasting are very informative and are done with elaborate care.

Del Dotto building

During the tour, Del Dotto offers generous pours of many of their wines; we tasted eleven of them. You might want to have a designated driver who does not swallow all of the wine, and be sure you do not visit when you have an empty stomach.  Although Del Dotto requires an appointment to visit, they can sometimes accommodate same day appointments so give them a call if you are in the area.  They are one of the very few wineries that are open 365 days a year. Much thanks to Desiree Del Dotto and to our friendly, helpful and informative hosts Kristina and Simon. 

Del Dotto inside entrance

There are actually two different Del Dotto wineries.  The one we visited, the Del Dotto St. Helena Venetian Estate Winery and Caves, is the new one on Highway 29 south of the town of St. Helena that opened in 2007.  There is also a more historic one (Del Dotto Napa Historic Winery and Caves), with wine caves that were dug in 1885, that is in Napa up on Atlas Peak and opened to the public in 1999.  The newer one is modeled in a Venetian estate style with new wine caves and is done with Italian marble, ancient mosaic tiles depicting the history of wine, Venetian crystal chandeliers and ceilings inlaid with gold.  During the several years it took to complete the construction of the new winery, stone masons were brought over from Italy to assist. It is amazing to walk into a wine cave that has crystal chandeliers and beautifully tiled floors after having visited so many more rustic wine caves.

Del Dotto pillars and painting

The Del Dotto family can trace its origins back to 1150 and have been making red wines since 1450.  The family moved from Tuscany to California in the late 1800's and began producing wine in Merced.  In 1988 David del Dotto and his wife Yolanda visited Napa Valley and ended up purchasing a lovely 1906 Frank Lloyd Wright designed house and 17 acres of property, moving there in 1990.  After they arrived they planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Sangiovese.  Their first vintage was the 1993 Del Dotto Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon that received a score of 92 points from The Wine Spectator.  Not bad for a first release!  And they managed to obtain the same high scores for the next three vintages.  By 1997 Del Dotto increased their production from 500 to 5000 cases and by 1999 they opened to the public.  In 2004 Dave visited Italy, where wine has been made since around 5000 BC, and returned with four clay wine aging vessels that were 300 years old and weighed over a ton each.  They accommodate up to five tons of Zinfandel or Sangiovese that are released each year as a featured wine.

Del Dotto wine cave

In addition to the vineyards at their two wineries (Rutherford and Atlas Peak), Del Dotto owns vineyards in Oakville, St. Helena, Spring Mountain, Howell Mountain and Sonoma Coast.  All are organically farmed, and allow Del Dotto to grow a number of varietals including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah. Total acreage is 437 acres with 121 planted. They also experiment with over fifty different types of oak barrels with a variety of oak toasting levels, something that will be demonstrated during the barrel tastings where you will view the barrel staves with their various stages of toasting and barrel grooving and then sample the identical Cabernet Sauvignons, one  aged in American oak and the other in French oak.  Del Dotto continues to be family run with an annual production of between 8000 and 12,000 cases yearly.
 

Del Dotto frescos

We had reservations for the Del Dotto Estate Cave Experience and Barrel Tasting which actually began at the tasting bar with a pour of the Del Dotto 2012 Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc at $39.  It was a bright straw in color with a very good nose of grapefruit, lemon and melon.  On the palate I got mostly grapefruit and lemon with a lush mouth feel and good, but very well balanced, acid.  It was the perfect combination of dryness, fruit and acidity with a good, medium plus length finish.  Quite nice.  The second pour, and only other white wine, was the Del Dotto 2011 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay at $85.  Our tour guide arrived before I could take any tasting notes, but I remember this Chard as being excellent with lemon, white peach, minerality, and a full body with a very good finish.  Very classy!  I really liked it and highly recommend it.

Del Dotto tasting bar

Most of our other pours were in the wine cave.  With a glass in one hand, a camera in the other, a notebook under my arm and wine cave lighting, I was simply unable to take any tasting notes.  We had the Del Dotto 2011 Cave Blend (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc) at $49 first followed by the Del Dotto 2011 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at $65 and both were good.  For the Del Dotto 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Lot R we were able to taste the same wine aged in Missouri oak compared to some aged in French oak (both at $65).  This provided a very interesting comparison.  I preferred the French oak, but the American oak wine might be better if paired with barbeque.  Both were nice Cabs but my favorites were to follow.

Del Dotto tasting room ceiling

The Del Dotto 2012 Allier Vosge Pinot Noir at $75 was especially good and is enthusiastically recommended as are both the Del Dotto 2011 Lot W Cabernet Sauvignon at $85 and the even better Del Dotto 2011 Oakville Jupille Sylvain Cabernet Sauvignon at $125.  I would love to have spent more time and taken careful tasting notes on each of these three excellent wines.  These three stand outs brought an end to the wine cave educational tour, and we returned to the main tasting room where we were able to sit down at a table and were brought Italian meats, gourmet cheeses, fresh bread and Del Dotto's own excellent olive oil.  The salami is made by their own chef and we were able to pair the food with a pour of the Del Dotto 2010 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir at $75.  This Pinot had a great nose of cherry and raspberry with a lot of fresh fruit on the palate, mostly cherry, cranberry and blackberry with some mushroom, spice and cedar, followed by a long finish. It was nice but I preferred the Pinot we sampled in the wine cave, one that has not yet been released.  The finale to the tour and tastings was the Del Dotto Port Wine Ca'Nan Blend at $55 for a 500 ml bottle.  This is a blend of 56% Zinfandel, 22% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet and was quite good.  It paired perfectly with the dark chocolate.

Del Dotto fountain

Del Dotto combines a spectacular setting with excellent hospitality, a great tour and outstanding wines.  The tasting and tour cost $60 but are well worth it.  (The bar tasting, with six pours, is half that price, but you will miss the educational tour, the barrel tasting and the wine caves)  They are very generous with the size of the pours and the number of wines sampled, with the wines being very high quality. They also provide you with a gourmet meat and cheese plate, bread and their own olive oil, plus dark chocolate and their port.  (Friday through Sunday there is homemade pizza as well.)  The tour is fascinating and educational.  The setting is a feast for the eyes.  Actually the Del Dotto experience is a feast for all of the senses and we enthusiastically recommend it!

Del Dotto outside buliding

Del Dotto Venetian Estate Winery and Caves

1445 Saint Helena Highway

Saint Helena, CA 94574

Phone: 707-963-2134

Hours: 11 A.M. to 5 P.M.

Reservations can be made at above phone number or online here: Reservations

"Hours of Operation 11am to 5pm 7 days a week
Open Every Day of the Year"

Tasting options.

Del Dotto vineyard

Del Dotto old olive trees

Del Dotto skylight

Del Dotto mosaic floor

Del Dotto gift shop

Del Dotto entry sign

Del Dotto vineyard

Del Dotto 300 year old wine vessel

Del Dotto balcony

Del Dotto inside entrance

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Hess Collection Winery

I've been a fan of Hess Collection Winery for many years.  I first visited the winery when it was Mount La Salle Winery run by the Christian Brothers (1930-1986) but was very pleased when Hess took over bringing better quality wines and a great art collection. The historic stone wine building was built in 1903 from rock that came from the hillside behind the winery. The grounds are lovely and the service for us has always been very helpful, down to earth and friendly. Being a local Napan, Hess is one of the hand full of wineries I always bring out of town visitors.  Hess has a wide range of wines, always quite pleasant and affordable and sometimes really exceptional.  Of the thirteen wines offered for tasting, all but two of them are $30 or less, something that is increasingly unusual for Napa Valley wines. We use to be invited to the annual Christmas parties at Hess and can testify that their chef is outstanding.  Hess is open to the public without appointment but please see the times, dates, etc. below.  Much thanks to our host Andrew, who seems to have a natural gift for making people feel welcome and for being very down to earth and helpful.

Hess Collection Winery ivy covered building

Hess is one of Napa Valley's wineries that is well worth visiting even if you don't drink wine.  They have a small but world class art collection that is open to the public free of charge.  Yes, it is modern art.  No old masters.  But it is one of the highest quality modern art collections you will ever visit and some of it changes when new pieces are obtained. Three Studies of Lucian Freud, a 1969 triptych painting by the British artist Francis Bacon, sold on November 12, 2013 at a Christie’s auction in New York City for $142,405,000. (Yes over 142 million dollars. I did not add too many digits.) The Hess collection includes six of Bacon's works, including a few of his finest. Some of the art at Hess might make you wonder, but most of it is very accessible to anyone who is even mildly appreciative of modern art.  I imagine even Margaret Thatcher would have found something of interest even though she did not like Francis Bacon, who is surely one of the great artists of all time. An online, recorded or guided tour of the art collection adds considerably to one's enjoyment.  I have had a half dozen tours of the Hess art collection and learn something new every time.  Photography is allowed for most of the art works, but flashes are not allowed.  (That is why some of my art photos are not very sharp since I did not have a tripod and could not use a flash.) In 1981 ARTnews ranked the Hess art collection as one of the top 200 art collections in the world!  About a quarter of the collection is housed at the winery in Napa.  An online audio video tour may be viewed here: Hess Collection Winery Art Tour

Francis Bacon work

The Hess Collection Winery opened to the public in 1989 after being leased in 1986 from Christian Brothers by the Swiss born, Donald Hess, who became interested in winegrowing in the mid 1970's.  In 1978 he purchased his first vineyards and by 1982 he owned 900 acres of vines up on Mt. Veeder in Napa Valley, all of which are sustainably farmed.  In 2008 Hess was one of the first ten wineries to be certified by the Napa Green Winery program and in 2010 they were among the first to be certified through the California sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.  Donald Hess retired in 2011 at the age of 75 but still remains chairman of the board for his wineries and other enterprises.  Hess Family History 



Great hospitality at Hess

Our tasting began with the Hess 2012 Artezin Verdelho at $22.  It is sold exclusively at the winery. Verdelho is a white  wine grape from Portugal, not to be confused with the Portuguese grapes Verdelho Tinto or Verdelho Feijão nor with the Spanish white wine grape that is spelled Verdeho without an "l".  Verdelho is especially common on the island of Madiera but is rarely offered at Napa Valley wineries.  Hess obtained the grapes from Amador County. A pale straw in color, the wine had a great aroma of melon and green apple with some floral notes.  It is dry and refreshing with melon, green apple, lemon, and tropical fruits on the palate followed by a medium plus length finish.  Very pleasant to drink and quite interesting.

Hess gold fish pond

The second pour was the Hess 2012 Small Block Albarino at $28.  This also is available only at the winery. Abarino is a popular Spanish white wine grape that is known as Alvarinho in Portugal.  It is one of my favorite white wines, but it is not found frequently at Napa Valley wineries.  Albarinos almost always have a pronounced and interesting aroma and this one is no exception.  It was fairly dry with lively acid and mostly citrus and white peach with floral notes and a hint of minerality.  Refreshing and very nice.

Hess outdoor patio

Third up was the Hess 2011 Artezin Mendocino Zinfandel at $18.  This has 10% Petite Sirah added.  It had a very nice aroma of red cherry and raspberry with some spice followed by a palate of fresh red fruit with a hint of black pepper.  The tannins are soft in this lighter style Zin and it is very well balanced, refreshing and easy to drink. You might want to think of it as leaning more toward the Pinot Noir spectrum than the Cabernet Sauvignon of red wines, although that is a simplistic comparison. More to the point, it is not one of those big, bold, tannic, rather rustic, high octane Zins that requires a bbq to be appreciated.  It is drinkable now and need not be paired with food to be enjoyed, although I think it would pair well with many different foods. This is a Zin to appeal to many tastes at a price that is very reasonable. Both of us really liked it.

Hess window into barrel room

I love Petite Sirahs and never pass on tasting one so we had to try the Hess 2011 Artezin Mendocino Petite Sirah at $25.  It had 6% Zinfandel added.  This one leans more toward fresh fruit than being one of those bold, tannic, rustic Petite Sirahs.  I got a light aroma of red cherry.  On the palate it was lighter bodied than many Petite Sirahs, with relatively soft but decent tannins along with blackberry, black pepper and spices.  Finish was medium length.  Pleasant and reasonably priced.

Hess native plant garden

The Hess 2011 Artezan Napa Valley Charbono at $30 was up next.  Charbono is a French varietal, also called Douce Noir or Charbonneau, that is very rarely found in Napa Valley.  In fact, it is not found very often in France anymore either but is the second most common varietal grown in Argentina (Malbec is first, of course.)  The only other Napa Valley winery where I have encountered a Charbono is at Summers in Calistoga.  According to the Hess vineyard notes, these grapes are from a Charbono vineyard that was planted back in 1904 and was used by Inglenook but is now farmed sustainably by Gary and Peter Heitz.  It is "one of Napa's heirloom virus-free sites."  This one has 1% Zinfandel added and is available only at the winery.  It was very dark in color, almost black with a good aroma of blackberry and black currant.  Charbonos tend to be full bodied wines and this is no exception.  On the palate I got black cherry, black currant and chocolate, all very well balanced, chewy and smooth.  For being such a big, dense wine it is actually quite approachable, although if paired with food you would need to make sure it does not overwhelm the food.  I happen to like Charbonos and really liked this one.  Highly recommended.

Hess art by Anselm Kiefer

I could never visit Hess without tasting the current release of their famous Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon.  The Hess Collection 2010 Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon sells for $55 or $44 to wine club members.  (The do have an even more premium Hess Mount Veeder "The Lion" Cabernet Sauvignon that sells for $125 but I have never tasted it.  I'd happily do a long and thorough review of either wine if I happened to encounter a bottle.)  This is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.  It had a moderate nose of cherry with vanilla, cedar and spices.  On the palate I got black cherry, toast, vanilla, cedar and forest floor, with well integrated tannins, all well balanced, followed by a fairly long finish.  Although it was definately a mountain Cab, it was more approachable than many.  With many mountain Cabs that are this young, I immediately start estimating how many years of cellaring it will take to make it more accessible or what I'd have to pair it with to tame the tannins.  This is a mountain Cab you can either drink now or lay away in your cellar for further development.  It is not as big and powerful as I remember some of the Hess Mount Veeder Cabs.  As with many very high quality mountain Cabs, however, this one spoke of terroir and uniqueness.  If I tasted this blind I would immediately think something like this, "Hmm, I wonder where this is from. Napa Valley but from the mountains, not the floor. Unique and single vineyard. Not Spring Mountain but probably Mayacamas."  This Cab speaks of a unique place and terroir.  And it is very accessible now. The Hess 2010 Mount Veeder is an outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon and is highly recommended. 

Hess window view

We were about to leave but our hosts wanted us to try the Hess 2010 Allomi Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon that is made from Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon grapes but sells for only $30.  They wanted us to know that Hess offers alternatives to big mountain Cabs.  This Cab is much softer than the Mount Veeder with tamed tannins and acid.  I got a light nose of red cherry and vanilla with mostly blackberry and black currant on the palate with soft, round tannins. It was very easy to drink and I imagine some people who like lighter style cabs might even prefer this one.  But for me it was not nearly as interesting or complex as the Mount Veeder.  It was pleasant but not very unique or distinctive.  It is a nice Cab for the price, though, and you should drink it now because I don't think it will improve with cellaring.

Hess garden arch

Hess Collection Winery should be very high on the list of Napa Valley wineries to visit.  They have some unusual and interesting varietals that are priced very competitively compared to other Napa Valley wineries.  They make some outstanding mountain Cabernet Sauvignon from Mount Veeder.  Service for us has always been very friendly, hospitable and down to earth.  They have a world class art collection that is worth a trip in itself if you love art. And if you ever get invited to one of their dinners or food events, you will be in for a special treat.

Hess entry sign

Hess Collection Winery 

4411 Redwood Rd
Napa, CA 94558

Phone: 707-255-1144 

Date of visit: November 13, 2013

Hess offers a number of tour and tasting options, some paired with food.  Please see their web page for current offerings. Current offerings.

The standard tasting includes the choice of four tastings from an option of 13 wines for $15.  This includes some less common wines such as Albarino, Pinot Gris, Verdelho, Carignan, Mourvedre and Charbono as well as their famous Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon and other varietals found more frequently in Napa Valley

Hess is located in northwest Napa on a winding road that heads up toward Mount Veeder.  It is a lovely scenic drive and not that far but you probably want directions first unless you have a good GPS unit. You can obtain directions to the winery here: Directions

From the Hess webpage 11/13/13. Please call or check out their webpage for any changes: Hess experiences, tastings and tours.

"Please Note: the visitors center, gallery and tasting room will be closed from January 6-17, 2014 and reopening on Saturday January 18, 2014 at 10:00 AM. We apologize for any inconvenience."

"Visitor's Center Hours
Tasting Room: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Art Museum: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Winery & Vineyard Tours: 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM"

Hess reception desk

Johanna 2 by Frantz Gertsch

The Crowd by Magdalena Abakanowicz

Hess window view

Hill Family Estate Wines Revisited

Hill Family Estate Wines is a very friendly, family owned and operated winery located in downtown Yountville where you can find some outstanding premium Napa Valley wines at prices that are less than what comparable quality wines usually sell for elsewhere. That is why we are members of their wine club.  Their wines start out as little as $22 for their very nice Sauvignon Blanc ($17.60 if you are a wine club member.) Nine of the twelve wines on their list are $50 or less.  Some of the finest grapes grown in Napa Valley are used in their wines and Hill Family sells most of these wonderful grapes to other high quality wineries.  Please see my previous 2011 review of Hill Family Estate for more accolades:  Hill Family Estate Wines Review

Hill Family tasting bar

After over 23 years of growing grapes for some of Napa Valley's finest wineries, the Hill Family began producing their own wine in 2001.  Their first release was a Merlot blend called "Origin", a blend that changes from year to year and continues to be offered.  Total production is about 14,000 cases per year, the actual crushing being done by them at the Laird Family Estate. The winery and vineyards are family owned, and the family members are fifth generation farmers and local Yountville residents.  (Douglas, Darci, Ryan and Carly Hill.) Hill Family grows most of its grapes on fifteen different vineyard locations in Napa Valley. Doug Hill is manager of over 600 acres of vineyard located in Los Carneros, Oak Knoll, and Atlas Peak. Most of their grapes are sold to other high quality Napa Valley wineries, but they keep most of the best for themselves. Please don't be put off by their downtown boutique looking tasting room where there is no vineyard or winemaking facility. This is a premium Napa Valley winery.

Hill Family tasting room area

Hill Family Estate's winemaker is the charming and amiable Alison Green-Doran, who has been a winemaker for over thirty years and was mentored by the famous winemaker Andre Tchellistcheff who is referred to as the "dean of American winemakers." Alison's father purchased Simi Winery in 1969 and hired Tchellistcheff, as a consultant.  After taking time off from college in 1973 to work as an intern with Andre for six months, Alison switched from studying animal science at UC Davis to completing a degree in winemaking there and then spent more time studying at vineyards in Alsace, France. Alison has been a winemaker since 1981 and has been with the Hill Family since their inaugural vintage of  2001. She was one of the first women winemakers in California, probably the fourth in its history, starting back when it was difficult to be taken seriously in this career if you were not a male.  Today many of the finest winemakers in the world are women!  Alison is now a consultant winemaker to six wineries and has her own label called Hoot Owl.

 

Hill Family lounge area

We visit the Hill Family Estate about every three months.  During the current  visit I decided to taste all of the regular "Tasting Today" wines, six of them in all.  This began with their regular Sauvignon Blanc. I have liked all of the Sauvignon Blancs I've tasted at  Hill which have included the 2010, 2011, and 2012 vintages of both their regular Sauvignon Blanc and their "Tiara" Sauvignon Blanc.  The Tiara is a different clone and is dissimilar to most California Sauvignon Blancs with its floral and white peach nose and peach and honeysuckle on the palate.  The regular SB is drier and more citrus like, more typical of California SBs. The Hill Family 2012 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc retails for $22.  It is 100% Sauvignon Blanc.  70% of it was aged in stainless steel and 30% in neutral oak and 1,437 cases were produced.  It had a very nice aroma of honeysuckle and melon.  On the palate I got mostly lime, white peach and melon.  It was dry and very well balanced with good acid and a moderate plus finish.  This is a very nice SB for the price.

Hill Family tasting room area

The second pour was the Hill Family 2012 Rose of Pinot Noir at $26.  This is 97% Pinot Noir, 2% Malbec and 1% Chardonnay and is from Carneros grapes.  Only 260 cases were produced.  This was a lovely light pink in color with a light but refreshing nose of melon and lilac.  On the palate I got mostly lemon and melon with a dry crisp presentation and a very clean finish.  Those who like dry roses should find this very appealing.

Hill Family tasting table

The Hill Family 2012 Reserve Chardonnay at $65 followed.  This is 100% Chardonnay, the grapes coming from two different vineyards in American Canyon.  60% of it saw new French oak for ten months and 483 cases were produced.  It was allowed partial malolactic conversion to soften the acidity.  This Chard had a great nose of apple, lemon and floral notes.  On the palate I got mostly apple with some buttered toast and a  concentrated but well balanced presentation with a medium plus finish. It is great on its own but will pair really well with a wide variety of food.  This is the finest Hill Family Chardonnay I have tasted and is highly recommended.  Alison must have used one of the bats in the corner of the photo below to hit a home run with this Chard.  

Another Hill Family tasting table

Fourth up was the Hill Family 2011 Clarke Vineyard Syrah at $40.  It is 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier.  40% of it saw 9 months in new French and American oak with the rest in neutral oak.  475 cases were produced.  It was deep purple in color with a good nose of cherry and spices.  On the palate I got mostly cherry with some spice, smooth, very well balanced and not at all over the top with fruit.  Too many Syrahs these days are fruit bombs, not so much fruit forward but fruit in the face.  This one is very tastefully done and allows for some spice, vanilla and varietal characteristics to come through without being overwhelmed by the fruit.  It also has a good medium plus finish.  Very nicely done.

Early Christmas decorations

The Hill Family 2010 Origin at $45 was next.  This blend changes from year to year and has not always been my favorite, sometimes being too fruit forward for me.  The 2010 is 57% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 9% Malbec and 9% Syrah.  It saw 16 months in French oak and 928 cases were produced.  This one had a very nice aroma of plum and vanilla.  On the palate it was ripe with black plum, black cherry and some chocolate all in a smooth, rich package with a medium to long finish.  A very appealing blend that is well worth trying, especially as it matures.

Hill Family gift shop

Our final pour was the Hill Family 2010 The Messenger at $48.  This is mostly a Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah blend, a blend that is found mostly in French Provence.  In this case it is 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Syrah, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot, 2% Malbec and 1% Viognier.  It was aged for 16 months in French oak with 50% of this new oak.  A mere 197 cases were produced.  I've not always been fond of Cab and Syrah blends.  Ideally they should complement each other but too often to me they seem at odds with each other.  This one is an exception, and I quite liked it as did my friend.  It was a deep purple in color with a really nice nose of cherry, chocolate, vanilla and baking spices.  On the palate it was full bodied with cherry and spice along with a clean medium length finish.  Alison somehow managed to get it all to come together in a very interesting way.  Both of us liked this best of the red wines we sampled at Hill Family this time.

 

Although we did not taste any of the Cabs this time, we have had many of them in the past and highly recommend them, especially the 2007 and 2008 Napa Valley Cab and their 2007 Double Barrel Cab.  I did not like the 2009 regular Cab quite as well as the 07 and 08 and don't recall tasting their current 2010 release which sells for $50. ($40 to club members.) I have not tasted their 2010 Sacrashe Cab ($120).  In general you can't go wrong with a Hill Family Cab.

If you are serious about premium wine, especially Cabs and Sauvignon Blancs, (and now I have to add the 2012 Reserve Chardonnay!) then you should check out Hill Family Estates next time you are near Yountville.  If you are unable to visit, we recommend you purchase some of their wines to try at home or to take with you to a nice restaurant.  We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.  Much thanks to Jeff for being our friendly and informative host.

Hill Family Estate Wines

6512 Washington Street

Yountville, CA 94599

Phone:  707-944-9580

Date of this visit: November 6, 2013

The Hill Family Estate tasting room is located in downtown Yountville and not at a vineyard.  Tastings are available without an appointment. They are easy to locate and there is usually ample parking on nearby streets.  Most of the tasting is done at the tasting bar but there are tables, sofas and lounge areas for special events, such as their many wine club get togethers, or by prior appointment. Please check the Hill Family Estate website or call them for the most up to date information, including the minimum purchase for a waiver of the tasting fee.  As of November 6, 2013, their website listed the following:

"Our salon-styled tasting room offers a setting, amid eclectic décor such as a Fender electric guitar, antique furniture, a surfboard, and baseball bats stained with Hill Harvest Red wine. It’s elegant and quite polished (this is Yountville after all) but still kicked-back, with relaxed staff who can impress sophisticated foodies as well as rowdy imbibers. Our tasting room is open daily from 10am to 6pm (except on major holidays). We offer bar tastings (no appointment necessary) for $20.00/guest, and table tastings paired with prosciutto, cheese and a baguette for $35.00/guest.  To schedule a table tasting paired with food, please call 707-944-9580."