Charles Krug Winery

Join the Peter Mondavi Family for the 150th Anniversary Celebration at the 60th Annual Tastings on the Lawn on September 10, 2011. Call or visit online to purchase tickets.

Here is the history, which is as important to the lush Napa Valley as the volcanic mountain in St. Helena and the palisades north of Calistoga: In the year 1861, Charles Krug established the first winery in the Napa Valley, so this year marks the winery’s 150th anniversary. In 1862 he opened the doors to the first tasting room in the Golden State. The Peter Mondavi Family purchased the winery in 1943 and have preserved its traditions and historic buildings for four generations while also introducing state-of-the-art winemaking techniques and technology.

The Family Reserve label is the hallmark of wines produced with grapes harvested from specific vineyard blocks in the winery’s prime vineyards. The reserve Generations is a tribute to the generations of winemaking by the Peter Mondavi Family; Vintage Selection Cabernet Sauvignon is their Flagship Cabernet. With grapes from 850 acres of estate land, they make some of Napa Valley’s most popular wines. Their Limited Release
selections are produced in small lots from 100 to 500 cases and harvested from the finest clonal selections of Cabernet Sauvignon and blending varieties. They’re available only through the tasting room and online at charleskrug.com.

The tasting bars inside the friendly, casual tasting room are made from the same redwood that the Peter Mondavi Family used to make redwood tanks for fermentation in the Redwood Cellar after their purchase of the property. One of those enormous tanks, and the original glass transfer tubes, remains in the newly restored barrel room. In many ways that sums up the Charles Krug experience: history, family and well-crafted wines.

VARIETALS

Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel Port.

FUN FACT

The Flagship Cabernet has been produced at the winery since 1944. 

PLAN AHEAD

One of the most popular events in the Napa Valley is the annual Tastings on the Lawn. This year it’s September 10th. 

HISTORY

The historic Redwood Cellar, built in 1872, is across from the picnic area. Behind the cellar lies the Carriage House built for Krug’s wife to house her horses, and the sprawling Great Lawn. The original cider press is on display and the property is bisected by train tracks that recall an era when Napa Valley fruit was shipped east to home winemakers during Prohibition. 

GREEN
The Peter Mondavi Family uses sustainable farming methods in the vineyards.

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