2006-05-26
Louis M. Martini Winery
– Continuing the Tradition
by Diana Greenwood
At Louis M. Martini Winery in St. Helena, much has changed but little is different. Since Gallo’s purchase of the winery three years ago, Martini has remained true to the original vision established in 1933 by Louis M. Martini – good wine in a welcoming setting.
Louis and his contribution to the Napa Valley wine industry are celebrated at the winery, and third-generation family members still run the daily show. Since Gallo, there are more outside growers to work with and more diversity in terroir to supplement Martini’s Napa and Sonoma vineyards, but it’s hard to top Martini’s legendary Monte Rosso, a 254-acre ranch in the Sonoma mountains. Winemaker, Michael Martini, still makes the wine but has some help now from newly hired expert assistants like David Ostheimer, Tom Foster, and Ralf Holdenried. It’s a good team and one that agrees experimenting with hand-made wines and highlighting small lot Cabernets is the way to go.
Located for decades at 254 St. Helena Highway, (Highway 29) you’ll identify Martini’s driveway by the sea of red flowers in stone planters, a bright spot and an indication of beauty to come. Guests enter Louis M. Martini through the fragrant Italian garden on the east side of the historical winery. Reminiscent of an Italian plaza with a shady, winding path, ivy-covered original stone walls and red umbrellas over casual tables, the patio is the ideal place to spend a quiet afternoon with friends.
This alfresco setting is a pleasurable way to enjoy the experience of wine tasting. Guests are greeted with a complimentary taste of wine and given the option to discover the heritage of the Martini family through a flight of Italian varietals or choose to continue to the Founder’s Room where they’ll discover the Cabernets.
The “Founder’s Room,” like the patio, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In the recent renovation, no detail was overlooked. Beautifully framed black and white portraits of Louis M. Martini and winery photographs dating to the early days hang as a tribute to the man who started it all. Walls are the color of Cabernet and dark woods in shelving and tasting counter, antique rugs over tile floors, and traditional details contribute to the masculine feel of the room, suggesting a simpler, more elegant era. It’s a room in which you’ll feel comfortable talking wine with a staff eager to please.
The Martini family wants guests to remember their experience and come back for another visit. In the Founder’s Room, several different flights are available for tasting. With their love for history, they start with “Discover our Family Legacy,” an appellation flight of three Cabernets. Another favorite flight is “Discover Monte Rosso,” a study in the flavor profile focusing on their signature wine.
Visit Louis M. Martini Winery for good wine, a relaxing afternoon on the Italian patio, and a peek at a place rooted in the past while committed to the future. Call (707) 968-3361, 1-800- 321-9463, or check the web at www.louismartini.com for additional information.
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