Howell Mountain is a renowned wine region in Napa Valley, California, known for its high-altitude vineyards and distinctive terroir. The wines from Howell Mountain are often characterized by their intensity, complexity, and structure, especially the Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel varieties. If you are looking for some of the best Howell Mountain wineries to visit and take part in tasting experiences, here are some suggestions.
Castello di Amorosa
This winery is a replica of a 13th-century Tuscan castle, complete with towers, a drawbridge, a moat, and a dungeon. It was built by Dario Sattui, a fourth-generation winemaker and owner of V. Sattui Winery. The castle has 107 rooms, eight levels, and covers 121,000 square feet. It took 15 years and $40 million to complete. The winery produces Italian-style wines, such as Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, and Il Barone, a reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.
Robert Mondavi Winery
This winery is one of the most iconic and influential in Napa Valley. It was founded in 1966 by Robert Mondavi, who is widely regarded as the father of modern American wine. He pioneered many innovations, such as cold fermentation, malolactic fermentation, and the use of new French oak barrels. He also promoted the concept of terroir and the importance of quality over quantity. The winery is known for its elegant and expressive wines, especially its Cabernet Sauvignon from the To Kalon Vineyard, one of the most prestigious vineyards in the world.
Arkenstone
This winery is a family-owned estate that sits on the western ridge of Howell Mountain, at an elevation of 1,400 feet. The name Arkenstone comes from a mythical gem in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, which symbolizes the beauty and rarity of the land. The winery was founded in 1988 by prominent Howell Mountain vineyard owners Ron and Susan Krausz, who planted 15 acres of vines on the rocky and volcanic soils.
The winery produces limited-production wines that are crafted with minimal intervention, just years of age that reflect the unique terroir of Howell Mountain in the resulting wine. The flagship wine is the Obsidian, a Bordeaux-style blend that is highly rated and sought-after.
Black Sears
This winery is a historic property that dates back to 1860, when it was homesteaded by Jerry Sears, a pioneer and cattle rancher. The winery is now owned by Joyce Black and Jerre Sears, who are descendants of Jerry Sears. They bought the property in 1979 and planted 17 acres of vines on the highest elevation of Howell Mountain, at 2,400 feet.
The winery produces organic and biodynamic wines that express the intensity and complexity of the mountain fruit. The winery specializes in Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, and also makes olive oil from their own olive trees.
Haber Family Vineyards
This winery is a boutique estate that produces small-lot wines from a five-acre vineyard on Howell Mountain. The winery was founded in 2005 by Sue-Marie and Ron Haber, who moved from New York to pursue their passion for wine. They hired Jim Barbour, a renowned viticulturist, to plant and manage their vineyard, and Tim Milos, an award-winning winemaker, to craft their wines.
The winery produces delicious wines of balance and finesse, with vivid varietal character and subtle sophistication. The winery’s signature wine is the Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon, a single-vineyard wine that showcases the power and elegance of the mountain terroir.
Howell Mountain Vineyards
This winery is a pioneer of Howell Mountain wines, founded in 1983 by Mike Beatty, one of the founders of the Howell Mountain appellation. He planted 14 acres of vines on a former apple orchard, at an elevation of 1,800 feet. The winery produces wines from sustainably farmed grapes that reflect the diversity and character of the mountain soils.
The winery produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, and is known for its Old Vine Zinfandel, which comes from vines that are over 100 years old.
Notre Vin
This winery is a French-inspired estate that produces wines of grace and harmony from select vineyards in Napa Valley. The winery was founded in 2002 by Denis and May-Britt Malbec, who moved from Bordeaux to California to pursue their dream of making their own wine. Denis Malbec was a former winemaker at Château Latour, one of the most prestigious wineries in the world. He applied his expertise and experience to craft wines that are elegant and refined, with a touch of California flair.
The winery offers two Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Howell Mountain, one from the Keyes Vineyard, and one from the Ink Grade Vineyard.
O’Shaughnessy
This winery is a state-of-the-art estate that blends tradition and innovation to create wines of exceptional quality and personality. The winery was founded in 1996 by Betty O’Shaughnessy Woolls, a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, who bought 120 acres of land on Howell Mountain, at an elevation of 1,800 feet. She hired David Abreu, a legendary vineyard manager, to plant and cultivate 29 acres of vines on the rugged and diverse terrain. She also hired Sean Capiaux, a talented winemaker, to make wines that are both bold and elegant, with a balance of power and finesse.
The winery’s flagship wine is the Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, a complex and powerful wine that represents the best of the mountain terroir.
Cade
This winery is a modern and eco-friendly estate that produces wines that are both bold and elegant. The winery was founded in 2005 by Gavin Newsom, Gordon Getty, and John Conover, who are also the owners of PlumpJack Winery and Odette Winery. The winery is named after the Shakespearean term for an oak cask used to store wine. The winery is LEED Gold certified, meaning it meets high standards of environmental sustainability and efficiency.
The winery produces wines from organic and biodynamic grapes that include Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and a red blend called 13th Vineyard. The winery’s Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich and expressive wine that showcases the intensity and structure of the mountain fruit.
Adamvs
This winery is a boutique estate that produces wines of purity and precision from a single vineyard on Howell Mountain. The winery was founded in 2008 by Denise and Stephen Adams, who are also the owners of Château Fonplégade in Saint-Émilion, France. The name Adamvs comes from the Latin word for diamond, which symbolizes the rare and precious nature of the wines.
The winery hired Philippe Melka, one of the most acclaimed winemakers in the world, to make great wines that are elegant and refined, with a balance of power and finesse. The winery offers two Cabernet Sauvignon wines, one called TÉRES, which is a blend of different blocks from the vineyard, and one called QUINTVS, which is a selection of the best barrels from the vintage.
These are just some of the amazing wineries that Howell Mountain has to offer. If you are an elegant wine enthusiast, you should definitely visit this region and discover its unique wines and scenery. You will not regret it!
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