Napa Valley Vineyards

Ancien Wines   Ancien Wines are made by Ken and Teresa Bernards. Their combined experience is moving into its 3rd decade, having made acclaimed wines for other producers such as Domaine Chandon, and Truchard prior to focusing on their own label, Ancien. They possess a passion for the Burgundian varietals, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with an emphasis on capturing the essence of terroir. These wines are of superior quality and reflect a balanced, well-made style attesting to Ken’s Burgundy influence. Ken continues to expand his range of experience as a consulting winemaker for wineries in Chile and California.

Covenant/Solo Rosa   Based in Napa Valley, Jeff Morgan is a winemaker, author, journalist and wine educator. His articles have appeared in such publications as The New York Times, Elle, Food & Wine, Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast. He is also the author of Dean & DeLuca: The Food and Wine Cookbook, The Working Parents Cookbook and soon-to-be-released, Rosé, A Guide to the World’s Most Versatile Wine. In addition to his writing pursuits, Jeff makes SoloRosa, a bone dry, rosé brimming with ripe cherry and raspberry flavors, tempered by a tangy acidity of grapefruit and a flinty, mineral core and Covenant, a Cabernet Sauvignon which just happens to be 100% Kosher. Robert Parker writes, “There are 500 cases of this kosher Cabernet Sauvignon made by former Wine Spectator writer Jeff Morgan. He has secured a lease on a three-acre block of Cabernet Sauvignon from the excellent Larkmead Vineyard and is making what must be one of the finest kosher wines in the world. Aged in 100% French oak, this wine is rich, opulent, medium to full-bodied, loaded with concentration and extremely tasty. I can think of only one kosher wine that was this good or better, and that was the limited cuvee made at the garagiste St.-Emilion property of Chateau Valandraud.” Anticipated maturity: now-2014.

Stonehedge Winery   Since its first release in the early 90’s, the Stonehedge wines have become synonymous with quality. Stonehedge’s philosophy is to produce elegantly handcrafted wines that are affordable by the majority of the population. The winery is dedicated to producing exciting, delicious, multi-dimensional wines that are not only available to a few, but to everyone. Based in the small town of St. Helena, Stonehedge feels that the rich and diverse terrain of Napa Valley combined with the ever beaming and warm California sunshine produce exceptional wines hardly matched anywhere else in the world. Enjoy!

Panacea Wine Company   Panacea Wine Company is a unique winery owned by Chris Sweetanos in Napa, California. It was during a long stint in the wine barrel industry that Chris cultivated the relationships that ultimately paved the way for his own winery. In those days, Chris was selling French and American oak barrels to some of the most prestigious winemakers in the Napa Valley. He learned that “There are always a few tanks and barrels of exceptional juice that just don’t find their way into the main bottling run for a variety of reasons,” says Chris. This excess wine often gets sold off in bulk to larger wineries or to other boutique properties and is used to top off barrels. But now Chris is getting his hands on a barrel here and there and coming up with phenomenal blends of premium Napa wine. The packages are hip and the quality speaks for itself.

Volker Eisele Family Estate   The 100% certified organic vineyard of the Volker Eisele Estate is situated in the Chiles Valley District of Napa Valley. At elevations of 900 to 1100 feet, cool breezes keep the temperatures relatively low during the growing season and make for lush, balanced fruit with that prized, Napa mountain complexity. In 1876 this property was settled by German immigrants who planted the first vines. In 1974, the Eiseles began replanting to Bordeaux varieties of Cabernet, Merlot and Cab Franc. All the wines are 100% Estate grown. The 2002 is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. The wine was barrel aged in 50% new oak from the French Treuil Cooperage. It is rich with fruit with a very smooth, plushy mouth feel, yet has the structure and depth for extended cellaring. This is a bargain for killer Napa Cab!