Goosecross Cellars

Originally published in the Benicia Herald on October 5, 2008.

Although I tend to end up at lots of big wineries when I visit the Napa Valley, I don't actually prefer them. I prefer a small winery with the family business feel. This week, I have a gem to share.

I recently made it out to Goosecross Cellars in Yountville. The winery began in 1985, and produces all organic selections. The grapes are handpicked and the staff at the tasting room is fun, knowledgeable and polite. I would have to think about a reason to complain.

The wine is equally pleasing. Although the tasting menu calls for five pours, out hostess snuck in an extra when she discovered we were fans of Muscats.

The 2007 State Lane Orange Muscat we sipped was a great dessert pick. The wine had a nice acidity to balance out the heavy sweetness of the varietal. The orange blossom and honeysuckle flavors were so delightful, my companion could hardly wait to ask that two bottles of the stuff be put aside for him to purchase.

The 2007 Suvignon Blanc we sampled first was also filled with a favorable citrus. The aroma blended the fruitiness and led to a lemongrass, pear and grapefruit filled flavor. I began to think of it as a sort of wine-lemonade (in a good way).

Next, we tried the winery's signature varietal - the Chardonnay. The 2006 vintage had a creamy finish, but was not overly buttery on the palate. I thought this was a pretty marked trait and one I rarely note when tasting. The chardonnay is the from the vines that Goosecross began with, and it is clear it is where the experience has lent itself closest to perfection.

But the bottle that really got my attention was the 2005 Syrah. The scent had a very smoky, peppery quality to it that made the dark chocolate flavors of the wine a nice balance. The earth and spice notes rounded out the flavor well. Its $34 price tag made purchasing such a good wine easy enough on the wallet.

I wanted to note that Goosecross impressed me for another reason. Between June and October, the winery offers a FREE wine basics class for those just getting their start in wine appreciation. The course is only an hour long and is held at the estate every Saturday. The program was created by Colleen Topper, Goosecross proprietor and Vice President of Public Relations. Not only did Colleen develop the class, she also wrote a class guidebook that's free for all students to take home.

The winery is a great place to check out for a couple other reasons. They offer their wines in a couple of ways that make giving a bottle a little more fun. First, they sell etched bottles, designed for a special touch at an event or for companies to order as giveaways. Simple etchings wishing the recipient a 'happy birthday' or 'congratulations' can be purchased with or without personalization. As well, companies can have their logo and whatever other info etched into the glass.

Second, the winery works with a local chocolatier to produce bottles of wine dipped in chocolate. Pick a red varietal and then select either milk or dark chocolate and you'll get the bottle with everything but the label covered! It's a great combo and our hostess told us it made quite a splash with her friends when she brought it a Sex and the City movie premier party.

Goosecross Cellars does not distribute their wines to stores. To get your own bottles, you have to visit them or order online. Goosecross Cellars is located at 1119 State Lane, Yountville. Check them out online at www.goosecross.com.