Great Things in the Stags Leap District

When you come to Napa, you come for reds; the Stags Leap District is the heart of Cabernet Country, and Baldacci Vineyards produces some of the best to be had anywhere in the Valley. The winery was founded in 1997 when Tom and Brenda Baldacci settled on their seventeen-acre Silverado Trail property with an eye toward the Cabernet Sauvignon vines which would grow on its hills; in 2001, the 7,000-square-foot production cave system was added in the hillside behind the tasting room. The estate vineyard has since been added to with the acquisition of a twenty-acre Carneros vineyard in 2003, planted with the intent of matching grape varieties to the right location.

That desire for the viticultural best is reflected enologically in every bottling of Baldacci wines.  Known for affordably excellent Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignons – there are three, the single-block Brenda’s Vineyard, the Black Label “ambassador” blend of various estate blocks, and the IV Sons, which has estate Cabernet Franc blended in to create a more rounded Cabernet expression – Baldacci Vineyards also produces Ruppert Cabernet from Coombsville and a range of Carneros wines, including the Sorelle Chardonnay, the Elizabeth Pinot Noir, and the Frederich Gewürztraminer (all named in honor of family members); they’ve also just released a new wine, their Harmony Zinfandel, which benefits music programs with each sale.

Winemaker Rolando Herrera has applied his philosophy of small-batch fermentations, dividing each vineyard into many blocks and then fermenting them separately, allowing for blending to become key in producing the estate’s best wines.  What has been the result?  Lots of amazing reviews and 90+ scores, but that’s not what truly matters – it’s what’s in the glass that does.  Among the most impressive of results have been the range of Cabernets Rolando has produced for the Baldaccis: the Brenda’s Vineyard block-designated Cabernet; the all-Stags Leap District estate Black Label Cabernet; the IV Sons Cabernet and IV Sons Fraternity, with its Stags Leap Cab and Carneros Merlot and Syrah; the Ruppert Cabernet from Coombsville; and the Diamond Mountain Cab with its mountain-side fruit. It’s not just big reds where he’s seen success for Baldacci Family Vineyards, though.  Indeed, the Elizabeth Carneros and Mathilde Russian River Pinot Noirs show the same attention to winemaking detail, as is also seen in the individual small bottlings of Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer the winery only makes available directly.  Oh, and by the way, Rolando was just named “Best Local Winemaker,” for the second year in a row, by the Valley’s wine media.

What makes Baldacci Family Vineyards a place of true note in the Valley isn’t just the wines but the unique hospitality feature of providing tastings that accommodate a range of wine experiences.  If you enjoy same-day appointments coupled with true warmth and great wines, then the classic tasting at the cozy tasting bar is for you.  You get to try a range of Baldacci releases, including “frequently changing” limited-production wines like their Gewürz and Allwin Syrah.  As everyone around the winery will tell you, there’s always a friendly face, an open bottle of wine, and great stories to share in the tasting room. Or, as Tom Baldacci is oft-noted to remark, “Wine pairs best with family and friends.”

Conversely, if you are looking for something special, a sit-down tasting tailored specifically to your tastes, the the Cellar Reserve Tasting is for you.  The new, limited-access Cellar Reserve Tasting in the 1923 Farm House presents a rare opportunity to enjoy reserve- and limited-production wines in a setting which evokes a time many decades ago before the valley was Napa Valley and wine was simply about the best land and man could give.

This intimate discussion of and hands-on appreciation for what goes into producing some of the world’s finest small-production wines is tailored to the visitors’ areas of interest, providing a customized tasting and tour with the Baldacci team, which gives behind-the-scenes access to knowledge of vineyards and winemaking, all while sampling the best of these efforts in an environment of timelessness.  The Cellar Reserve Tasting in the 1923 Farm House requires advance reservations for this very rare, small-group experience, so make sure not to miss your opportunity.

Still not convinced this is winery is a special gem you’ll be sorry to have missed?  Well, 2008 was one of “those” years for reds, and the 2008 Estate Cabernet just released this month doesn’t disappoint, showing off an amazing depth of flavor produced through the combination of variety and location.  Equally, on November 19th is the annual “garage sale” to help make way for newly made wines in the cellar and newly bottled releases in the warehouse.  Check out past vintages which are hard to find, rare wines not generally available, and special pricing to make the day complete.  Come see for yourself what one family’s vision has produced along the eastern side of the Stags Leap District!

The tasting room is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. by appointment. Located at 6236 Silverado Trail near the Yountville Crossroad it’s about 15 minutes from Napa and less than five minutes from the charming, restaurant- and shop-filled town of Yountville. For more information, go to www.baldaccivineyards.com or call (707) 944-9261. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter.