Tasting Room of the Week:

By Michelle J. Baker
Kirkland Ranch is a slightly different kind of “must stop” in Wine Country – enough off the beaten paths that you actually have to seek it out. But the good news is that Kirkland Ranch is only about a 10-minute ride from Napa (and a beautiful, scenic one at that), it’s really easy to find, and once you do, you’ll tell everyone you see they have to go there, too.
Kirkland Ranch Winery is located on a historic 2,500-acre cattle ranch in Jameson Canyon that was originally part of General Vallejo’s Suscol Rancho. The Kirkland family purchased the ranch in 1978, raising cattle there until 1985 when they planted their first three-acre “test” vineyard. The Kirklands liked the results so much that they eventually expanded their vineyards to 150 acres.
The winery building is 57,000 square feet, with an amazing visitor center front and center. The first floor of the visitor center is the gift shop, designed with Americana flair. The centerpiece in the gift shop is a diorama depicting a scene from when the property was a working cattle ranch, with a replica round-up chuck wagon and 10'x38' mural by Sonoma County artist Ali Pearson.
The second floor tasting room is smartly designed to give visitors two awesome 270-degree views: outside, to the magnificent rolling hills of Jameson Canyon, the ranch and vineyards; and inside, to the working winery, with full view of the barrel room, tank rooms, and bottling line. The tasting room is straight out of Jackson Hole, with cedar poles, fireplace, and a full veranda where you can enjoy a glass of wine and take in the scenery.
Kirkland Ranch produces wine under two labels: Jameson Canyon and Kirkland Ranch. The Kirkland Ranch wines are not available outside the winery (to keep consumers from confusing them with the unrelated Costco brand Kirkland Signature). All the wines here are estate grown in Jameson Canyon’s unique microclimate, where the cool marine influence of San Pablo Bay keeps the temperature lower and the growing season longer.
Kirkland Ranch grows 13 different varieties of grapes on this property, and so the tasting menu offers something for everyone. For white wine drinkers, there are both Pinot Grigio and a lovely, rich barrel-fermented Chardonnay. Among the reds, Kirkland Ranch seems to have the right climate to produce great early-harvesting varietals like Pinot Noir (their 2005 is very pretty, with nice red fruit and vanilla notes) and late season varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon.
My sweet tooth is always happy to see dessert wines, and Kirkland Ranch has two hummers. The Late Harvest Viognier is light and fruity, with delicious apricot and orange flavors. Kirkland Ranch’s non-vintage Agape, made from Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, is rich and unctuous, with big flavors of tropical fruit.
Finally, you’ll be surprised how fairly priced Kirkland Ranch’s wines are. Even better, wine club members receive 20% off wines and merchandise, and 30% off club wines ordered during the months between shipments.
Visit Kirkland Ranch Winery at 1 Kirkland Ranch Road in Napa from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. daily. For more information, go to www.kirklandranchwinery.com or call (707) 254-9100.

Related Information

• Kirkland Ranch Winery