Silverado Vineyards

This article was originally published in the Benicia Herald on October 12, 2008.

If ever there was a place to stop and snap a photo in Napa, it has to be Silverado Vineyards. From the tasting room and the adjacent outdoor terrace, visitors can look out and see vast expanses of vines growing over rolling hills. From the vantage point on top of the hill, where the winery is located, it is almost as though there is no town or building anywhere near the place.

It is this romantic setting that first gave way to my dream-like visit to the estate. Well, that and the grand entrance from the parking area. It was so beautiful as both a winery and a home site, that it caused my boyfriend to start daydreaming about having a place just like it.

Once we reached the tasting bar, we were ready to hear more. Our friendly server made the visit one of the highlights of our trip to the Valley that day. She talked with us about her years working in various tasting rooms and how the Napa area has changed and grown over the years. She never diverted her attention from our service - the tasting room is up a steep road from the main thoroughfare, so it wasn't as busy as some of its neighbors.

The wines were good as well. We started off with a splash of the 2005 Vineburg Chardonnay. The flavors were crisp and oaky, leaving no room for the creaminess I tend to go for in the varietal. It was not too bad on a sizzling Saturday afternoon.

Next, we tried the 2005 Zinfandel - a treat, our hostess explained, because there were only 700 cases of this 76 percent Zin/24 percent Sangiovese produced. The smoky aroma gave way to a cherry-filled flavor. It was delightful and had a high alcohol content of 14.5 percent. If it sounds tempting, you better hurry to the tasting room - the only place it is sold - and grab a couple bottles before they are sold out.

As we continued, we tried the 2005 Tuscan-style 'Fantasia' - a blend of 54 percent Sangiovese, 28 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and18 percent Merlot. The bouquet was lively and fruity - truly a treat for my nose. On the palate, the flavor carried through and lingered. I was a fan of the smooth, lasting quality of this bottle.

After trying the 2004 SOLO Cabernet Sauvignon - a wine made of grapes only grown at the Stag's Leap area vineyard - we turned back the clock and sampled the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon. This limited edition wine was kept for an extra two years in its bottles before anyone touched it. The extra care that was given to the wine was evident. It was delicious! It featured low tannins and that complex flavor that comes from age. The '02 Cab was selected to be produced in a limited quantity after Silverado's wine maker determined the crop that year was particularly delicious. Only 12 times, our hostess explained, has this been distinction been given since the vineyard started in 1981. It carried a distinctive $100 price tag, but it was well worth the splurge.

If you decide to learn more about Silverado Vineyards, check them out online at www.silveradovineyards.com or visit their tasting room at 6121 Silverado Trail, Napa. Call them at 707-257-1770.