Saturday

Morning: Bucklin's Old Hill Vineyard

9:30 Am- Arrive at Bucklin's Old Hill Vineyard, 8 Old Hill Ranch, Glen Ellen, CA 95442. A vineyard of alluvial soils first planted in the 1850’s with Non-Mission grapes and at least 30 grape varieties were planted promiscuously in the oldest part of the vineyard in the late 1800’s. Will Bucklin planted a younger vineyard in 1999. We will discuss this history, walk the vineyard with Will, discover the challenges of dry organic farming, “old” versus “young” vines and experience a tasting with our picnic lunch. 

 

Afternoon: Futo Estate

In the afternoon we go over the Mayacamas Mountains to the Futo Estate, 1575 Oakville Grade Rd, Oakville, CA 94562. This vineyard is underpinned by Great Valley sequence strata next door to Harlan Estate and the Promontory winery. Tom Futo also has a vineyard in Stags Leap District. We will discuss the origin of Napa Valley, walk the vineyard with Tom and taste wines from both sides of the valley. 

End time: No later than 6:00 PM. Lodging and Dinner on your own

 

Sunday

Morning: Switchback Ridge Peterson Family Vineyard

9:30 Am -Meet in the Calistoga AVA at the Switchback Ridge Peterson Family Vineyard,1104 Adams St, St Helena, CA 94574. First planted in Zinfandel at the turn of the last century, today, there are 21 acres under vines growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petite Sirah (a particular focus for today’s tasting), and Founder/ Managing Partner Kelly Peterson continues the tradition that her great-grandfather Mad Peterson began nearly 100 years ago. We will review this history with Kelley, walk the vineyard and taste the wines.

 

Afternoon: Palisade vineyard

We will then head north in Calistoga, to the Palisade vineyard, 3106 Palisades Rd., Calistoga, for a picnic lunch. The vineyard was first planted in the 1870s along the banks of Horns Creek that flows down from the Palisades, the iconic cliffs flanking the valley on the east. The property’s volcanic and alluvial soils make the vineyard ideal for growing Rhône and Bordeaux grape varieties. Today, Palisades Vineyard ranks as one of the world’s premiere Petite Sirah vineyards (our second tasting of this iconic grape). Owner Steven Rasmussen and Felicia Woytak also own and manage the Vedder Ridge vineyard in the southern Napa Valley. Steve and Alicia will host us for lunch, explain the history of Calistoga, walk us through the vineyard, and provide a tasting of their wines.

End time: No later than 6:00 PM