I was in Napa recently and went to Hess winery
(Mnt Veeder) I have many stories of many winery visits,most good, But Hess is awesome. Its tucked
away in this hilly enclave surrounded by vineyards. Beautiful grounds. But what few people know about is the 2 story modern art museum that is a part of the winery. This really kicks the whole experience up a notch. They often use their art pieces in their adverts.The collection series wines from the property are great examples of Mountian Cabernets and Chards.
(Suskol Vineyards) Anyway to simplify: Great wine..Great art are always great together.
and the pouring staff were very kind and knowledgeable. I will be back.

Tie: Foxen and Sinnean. Both for the same reason. Both places are not much to look at, but they have cool knowledgable people and poured us some damn tasty wines.

Lewelling. Reason: Dave Wight.

I can't just list one here...there are so many...so by region and I agree, the people make the biggest difference. Some of these are strange places and I've not yet really hit Europe much for wineries at least.

California:
Napa: Many great since they are set up for it but I like Heitz
Sonoma: Gloria Ferrer
Temecula: Mount Palomar
Lodi: David and Michael Vineyard (Has anyone seen is farm and supermarket?)

BC
Okanagan: Mission Hill Winery
Osoyoos: Golden Mile Winery
Vancouver Island: Church and State
Richmond: Township 7

Ontario
Niagara: Cave Springs
Beamsville: Royal de Maria

New York
Fingers Lake, Seneca Lake: Glenora Winery
Fingers Lake, Keuka Lake: Dr. Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars
Long Island: Pindar Winery

Hawaii....yes...Hawaii..
Neat place to go and excitable people...Volcano winery on the big island.

Greece:
Santorini: Domaine Sigalas

Portugal
Duora: Taylor Fladgate and Sandman

Soon to go to Portland...any recommendations for things nearby?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TheEngineer,

Fuligni - because it's Fuligni

My wife and I had the opportunity to visit Sea Smoke last year and we had a great time. Although they do not have a tasting room or a formal winery, it was still great to see the vineyards and hang out with Kris. We also met Victor Gallegos of Melis fame.
We got to try 2006 barrel samples and taste through some of the Curran wines. I had never had any of her wines before. She introduced us to the grenache blanc, which is fantastic. We got to ask her questions and chat with her about wine stuff. It was just a cool experience and very memorable.

Was it has that has that flaming typewriter in their advertisement? That is among the most creative, profund pieces of art I have ever seen. In fact, I'm choking up thinking about it now.

This is a tough one... I've visited hundreds of wineries, so now you're really making me think! Two stand out for me... The first would be Clos Pepe. My wife and I visited Clos Pepe, and literally spent about 3 hours with Wes Hagen. We started in the vineyards and moved into their Tuscan home where we proceeded to move through a flight of cheese and wine pairings. The conversation was exceptional and the knowledge shared was unforgetable.

The second would be at Summerwood. A samll group of us tasted and toured with their new Winemaker Chris Cameron for a least two hours. Chris revealed insight into some of the changes and philosophies that he will impart, and lead us through barrel tastings of some new wines that he is developing. Again the gain of knowledge and personal time along with great wines made these experiences great!

justin. at my wedding.

quote:

Originally posted by TBird:
justin. at my wedding.

I heard it was a flaming wedding night!

I'm sure I will be a out of step with many , but visiting wineries is never high on my list when I travel. While we do always make it a point to hit a few, just far too many other things that hold my interest. I have been a wine enthusiast for over 25 years now, and it takes a lot to blow my skirt up I guess. For me, it is more about the friends I'm with to create a memory together, or a winery that offers more than just wine, if that makes sense.

A couple that come to mind...

California:

Hess. The opportunity to view Motherwell, Bacon, Kieffer, Dali and other great works while enjoying wine and talking to Donald about his collection for three hours was rich.

Clos Pegase. I knew the moment we got out of the car and saw the Henry Moore piece outside that greeted us, I was going to have a wonderful and special visit. Add that the winery is one of my favorite works by Michael Graves (architect) and Jan was in town to discuss several new pieces of art he had just bought, all again while sipping wine made for a special visit.

Jarvis. I was fascinated with the construction and design once you walk through the simple unassuming stucco door. Fiber optics has been very good to Mr. Jarvis!

Italy:

Ornellaia. We spent 5 hours there, and knowing the history of how the Romans selected their sites to train, rest and live only added intrigue. The Roman's understood how the ocean would cool, but only at certain elevations, much like the old water-coolers before air conditions.

Also, to walk through the vineyard at Masseto, see each vine with only one grape often, and the 3 very different and distinct colors of the earth in the vineyard was special. Not as special as the 10 vintages of Masseto we enjoyed, but still special.

Champagne:

I learned more at Gosset about Champagne than any other House. Our 5 hour in-depth one on one Champagne talk gave me insight I could only have dreamed of before our time together.

I'm being summoned by my wife... will write more later.

P.S. I'm looking forward to my visit to Alvaro Palacios with KSC02 next year! Have we all talked about Italy yet?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: wine+art,

quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:
Italy:
Ornellaia.
Masseto

These vineyards would be a special visit indeed.
If the opportunity is there, while in Italy next year, I'd also love to visit any of:
Fuligni
Valdicava
Siro Pacenti

I'm looking forward to my visit to Alvaro Palacios with KSC02 next year!

I'm GREATLY looking forward to this one as well!

only if you had been there...

quote:

Originally posted by sprnplr:

quote:

Originally posted by TBird:
justin. at my wedding.

I heard it was a flaming wedding night!

Holdredge. Great wine and great conversation.

Castelle d'Orchecio In Breve, Tuscany

Great trip, gtreat scenery. The host, owner, and managgung director were all avaialble and discusseed wine for a long time with us. They also pulled out some old bottles for us to sample.

When Kosta Browne was still located at the Freeman property and I could hit KB, Freeman, August West, and Sandler in one stop. And Dan Kosta and Ed Kurtzman are both awesome hosts...

Oh, and their wines don't suck.

Antiyal in Chile.......no art gallery, no renowned architecture, heck.... not even a tractor..... but I'll never look at wine the same way again!

No winery is so exciting that the "standard visit" is going to secure a place in your heart - although Newton's gardens, Schramsberg's caves, and Domaine Carneros' front porch come close. What matters, IMHO, is the people and the story. My favorites are all places where I've got to meet the people and share an experience that is typical of what wine is all about. Not that lunch with the winemaker or owner is within everybody's reach, but 3 lunches at 3 wineries beats a tour/tasting at 20 wineries hands down. If you can get an 'inside track' it is by far the better way to experience a winery.

My wine travels have been limited to Cali, so my number #1 is Cakebread. Jack and Dolores's story is remarkable, and they are some of the nicest, smartest and most grounded people in the wine biz; and they've been doing it as long as the 'famous' crowd. Lunch with the Cakebread gang will make you a cakebread drinker for life. I am.

Add Iron Horse to the list b/c the Sterlings embody the elegant graciousness of the fine wine business.

I also like Robert Sinskey b/c Rob is a fun guy who is an anti-snob although takes his wines quite seriously.

Chapellet has beautiful grounds and is nicely off the beaten path. Opus One has a very regal air, and is a stylishly fun visit if you can finagle your way in. Also, pop in on Cathy Corison at Corison, you may get a chance to taste her world class Cabs with the winemaker herself.

Albert Mann in Alsace just because they let you drink every single wine they they make even the grand crus. And they had really pretty young girls pouring the wine that would flirt with you.

quote:

Originally posted by mpls wine guy:
Albert Mann in Alsace just because they let you drink every single wine they they make even the grand crus. And they had really pretty young girls pouring the wine that would flirt with you.

*books flight to Strasbourg*

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Tong BBP:
Lewelling. Reason: Dave Wight.

That was my first thought as well. But upon further reflection, our visit to Chappellet started running neck and neck.

Our visit there happened to take our group off of the usual track and we wound up hiking all the way up the hill to see the gardens around the owner's house. Molly happened to be out weeding, so we got to talk with her about her garden and her neighbors and traipse about her rock garden. Not wine geeky by any means, but a very nice visit, beautiful surroundings, and a nice line-up of wines.

But I think Lewelling is far more consistent in providing an outstanding visit.

Alvaro Palacios for the (imo) greatest wine of Spain and tour of the ultramodern facility

Mas d'en Gil for the extensive personal tour and tasting of great wines by our friend/owner

That's a difficult question!

Several Bordeaux Chateaux come to mind: Lafite, Latour Mouton, Margaux, Pichon Baron, Ducru Beaucaillou, and others.

Why?

For the History, the lavish Chateaux, the chai, the vineyards, the tours, the museum in Mouton's case, and the young Swedish tour guide at Latour

California----The friendly and informative tours, Montelena's beautiful Japanese Gardens, and the fact that it's not too far from Taylor's Refresher hamburger joint!

Livio Sassetti Pertimali. Lorenzo Sassetti showed us around the small winery this past April, and while we were tasting some of the wines after the tour, his father - Liv