Ralph & Lahni de Amicis, Napa, Sonoma, San Francisco
Winery Directory Letter C Return to the Main Winery Directory C. Donatiello: 4035 Westside Rd.Healdsburg(Russian River) 800-433-8296www.cdonatiello.comHrs: 11-5TF:$Wines: Pinot Noir, Chard. Notes:Tours by appt. A newer winery tucked in the hills above the Russian River. Cade Winery: 360 Howell Mountain Rd South.Angwin(Howell Mountain) 707.945.1220www.cadewinery.comHrs: By appointmentTF:$$Tours Cab blend, Sauv Blanc with a slight blend of Semillon. Note: This is a state of the art winery with spectacular caves owned by the Plumpjack company.
Cain Vineyard & Winery: 3800 Langtry Rd.St. Helena(SpringMountain) 707.963.1616www.cainfive.comHrs: by appointment Fri-Sat morningsTF:$Wines: Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Syrah. Notes: They are way down a winding road half-way up SpringMountain. It is quite a ride and they only are open to appointments 2 days a week, but they have great views and wonderful wines, so it is worth the trouble.
Cakebread Cellars: 8300 St Helena Hwy (Rt 29).Rutherford 800.588.0298www.cakebread.comHrs: 10-4 by appointmentTF: $$-$$$ Wines: Sauv Blanc, Chard, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah, Zin, Cab Sauv, Rubaiyat (blend of Pinot Noir, Syrah & Zin).Notes: Many years ago when the winery was getting big enough to need distribution they decided they would focus on restaurants rather than stores. They are now one of America's most popular, high-end restaurant wines. When people come to Napa Cakebread is one of the names they remember from the wine list. As a result they can be very busy on weekends and they are by appointment. Be 10 minutes early for your time, because they are group tours and tasting or you will get left behind. If there is room they will fit you into the next slot, or not. Tours take 90 minutes. Great architecture, gardens,and tours, as well as totally authentic wines. After visiting you will notice that their Chard smells just like their winery.
Calafia Cellars: 629 Fulton Ln.St. Helena 707.963.0114 www.calafiacellars.com Hrs: by appointmentClosed in January TF:$ Wines: Blends of Cab Sauv, Malbec, Petit Verdot & Merlot.
Caldwell Vineyards: 169 Kreuzer RdNapa 707.255.1294www.caldwellvineyard.comHrs: By appointment. TF:$$$$. Wines: Cab Sauv, Merlot, Blends. Notes: This is a place for the serious enthusiast. The caves are dug into a steep hillside with great views of the city of Napa in the distance. The extensive vineyards are planted overhead. When they started digging the caves they got a little carried away and now they are home to a large collection of small winemakers. Some wonderful technology. A great tasting experience in a dome-shaped room carved from the stone of the caves. Calistoga Cellars: 1371 Lincoln Ave.Calistoga 707.942.7422www.calistogacellars.comHrs: 12 - 5 Fri - Sun by instant apptTF: $CWP Wines: Chard, Sauv Blanc, Zin, Merlot, Cab Sauv, CabPort.
Camellia Cellars: Tasted at Front Street Wineries,Healdsburg(Northern Sonoma)Wines: Zin, Sangiovese, Cab Sauv, Blends. Cardinale Estate: 7600 St Helena Hwy (Rt 29).Oakville 707.948.2643www.cardinale.comHrs: 10:30 - 5by appointmentTF: $$$$$Wines: Cab Sauv blends. Notes: This is the old Pepi winery, now owned by Jess Jackson. It sits on a hill north of Yountville directly across from Far Niente. It is clearly for the enthusiast and the tastings are set up at certain times, and take place in beautiful conference rooms. Some wonderful wine educators and food pairings. Great red wines with an exclusive feel.
Cartlidge & Browne Winery: 205 Jim Oswalt Way,AmericanCanyon 707. 552.5199www.cartlidgeandbrowne.comHrs: 10-5TF:$Wines:Chard, Sauv Blanc, Cab Sauv, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Rabid Red. Notes: A big winery in an industrial park in southern Napa with a wide variety of well-made, properly-priced wine.
Casa Nuestra Winery & Vineyards: 3451 Silverado Trail N.St. Helena 707.963.5783www.casanuestra.comHrs: 10-5 by appointment instantMon-Sat (Closed Sun) TF: $ CWPWines: French Colombard (botrytized), Chenin Blanc, Rosado, Tinto Classico, Cab Sauv, Merlot, Meritage,Cab Franc, Petite Sirah, Riesling. Notes: A very small rustic winery with 60's and 70's memorabilia filling the intimate tasting room. They have picnic tables and organic estate grown fruit.
Castello di Amorosa: 4045 N. St Helena Hwy (Rt 29).Calistoga 707-967-6272www.castellodiamorosa.comHrs: 9-6,9-5 Nov-FebTF: $$-$$$ Wines: At least a dozen different wines from dry to sweet. Notes: This is a destination winery built as a 12th century Tuscan castle-winery complete with dungeon. They have guided & self-guided tours, and appointments are suggested. Being a castle it is cool in the winter, great in the Summer, dress accordingly. While it would seem perfect for bringing the kids, it is a winery, and normally children are restricted to certain times. Check their website.
Caymus Vineyards: 8700 Conn Creek Rd.Rutherford 707.967.3010www.caymus.comHrs: 10-4, by appointmentTF: $$$Wines: Cab Sauv,Zin, Sauv Blanc.Notes: They are a premium winemaker with a great reputation, a favorite at restaurants. They do a sit down tasting for a group at specific times by appointment. Make sure you arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. because they can turn you away if you are late. Ceja Vineyards: 1016 Las Amigas Rd. Napa(Carneros)Tasting Room:1248 1st StNapa 707.255.3954www.cejavineyards.comHrs: by appointmentTF: $$$Wines: Chard, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cab Sauv, Syrah, Blends. Notes: This is a wonderful family winery in Carneros, gracious & talented. The family first arrived in the area as migrant laborers. The next generation, college-educated and well-trained makes wonderful wines.
Chalk Hill Estate Winery: 10300 Chalk Hill Rd.Healdsburg(Northern Sonoma) 707.838.4306www.chalkhill.comHrs: 10-3by appointmentMon - FriTF: $$ Tour: $$ (1.5 Hrs). Culinary tours $$$$$Wines: Chard, Sauv Blanc, Pinot Gris, Cab Sauv, Merlot, Semillon, Blends. Notes: This is a big winery in a gorgeous location, that makes some wonderful wines. The building is grand and the tasting is excellent.
Chappellet Winery & Vineyard: 1581 Sage Canyon Rd.St. Helena 707.963.7136, 707-963-3262www.chappellet.comHrs: by appointment at specific timesTF: $$-$$$$Wines: Cab Sauv, Merlot, Cab Franc, Chard, Chenin Blanc, Cuvee. Notes: This is a wonderful winery run by a great family. They are tucked in the SageCanyon to the east of the main valley on a beautiful property. Very good wines and a great experience. These are mountain roads so get the directions and map, there are a few signs and they are not very helpful. It is well worth the effort. Allow at least twenty minutes from the Silverado Trail. That way you won't be late.
Charbay Winery & Distillery: 4001 Spring Mountain Rd.St. Helena 707.963.9327www.charbay.comHrs: by appointmentTues-Sat 10-4TF: $$$ Wines: Flavored Vodkas, (Blood Orange, Meyer Lemon, Green Tea, Grapefruit, Key Lime, Raspberry) Ports, Pastis, Rum, Whiskey, Grappa, Black Walnut Liquor. Notes: Only the wines are tasted.
CharlesCreek Vineyard: 483 First St. W.Sonoma(Plaza) 707.935.3848www.charlescreek.comHrs: 11-6TF: $-$$Wines: Merlot, Cab Sauv, Syrah, Chard, Grenache, Chocolate Dessert Wine. Notes: Facing the SonomaPlaza, this is a charming, always friendly tasting room with great wines and a knowledgeable staff. They also have a good gift shop and a wonderful full-sized Cork Cow sculpture in the middle of the room that is very cute. Take the time to read some of the corks that make up Elsie. It is a survey of the area's winemaking tradition. We especially like their Chards.
Charles Krug Winery: 2800 St Helena Hwy N(Rt 29)St. Helena 707.967.2229www.charleskrug.comHrs: 10:30-5TF: $-$$$Wines: Cab Sauv, Merlot, Sauv Blanc, Chard, Pinot Noir, Zin, Cab Franc, Syrah. Notes: Napa's oldest, still operating winery, owned by Peter Mondavi's family. It was bought by the Mondavi family the 1940's. It was when Robert left the family business that he started his own winery. The buildings have been going through an extensive, historical renovation. The family owns some wonderful vineyards up and down the NapaValley. Considering its location next to the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, and Beringer, it is good to see that they are finally highlighting their considerable part of Napa's wine making history. Chase Cellars: 2252 Sulphur Spring Ave.St. Helena 707.963.1284www.chasecellars.comHrs: 10-5 by appointmentTF: $$$CWP Wines: Zin, Petite Sirah.
Chateau Boswell: 3468 Silverado Trail N.St. Helena 707.963.5472www.chateauboswellwinery.comHrs: by apptTF: $$$ Wines: Chard, Cab Sauv. Notes: They are housed in a remarkable building, and home to a group of young, extremely talented winemakers. These are premium wines and a place to visit for the enthusiast.
Chateau Felice: 10603 Chalk Hill RoadHealdsburg 707.836.9011www.chateaufelice.comHrs: by apptTF:$ Wines: Bordeaux Blend, Chard, Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Zin, Merlot, Syrah.
Chateau Montelena Winery:1429 Tubbs Ln.Calistoga 707.942.5105www.montelena.comHrs: 9:30-4TF: $$-$$$$Wines: Chard, Cab Sauv, Zin, Riesling. Notes: They have a great, historical building, wonderful grounds & a beautiful lake. The bocce courts are fun. By the way, the wines are really good, and while their tasting room is a little small for such a successful winery, they do a great sit-down tasting by appointment. They were a Judgment of Paris winner for their Chard and thus helped put NapaValley on the world-wide wine map.They also do tours which take 1 ½ to 2 hours. Chateau St. Jean Winery: 8555 Sonoma Hwy.Kenwood 707.833.4134www.chateaustjean.comHrs: 10-5TF: $$ - $$$Wines: Pinot Blanc, Chard, Viognier, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Malbec, Cab Sauv. Notes: In the Sonoma Valley this is a personal favorite between the great architecture, art gallery, gardens, great gift shop (the best in the Valley), picnic areas, the deli/market, and the tours. They have two tasting rooms, basic & reserve. The staff is great. It is owned by Beringer, and in turn Fosters, who understand hospitality better than most. If you are in the SonomaValley, drop by here.
Chiarello Family Vineyards: 6525 Washington StYountvilleDowntownTasting Room707.256.0750www.chiarellovineyards.comHrs: 10-6Sun 10-5TF: $$Wines: Rose of Zin, Zin, Cab Sauv. Notes: Michael Chiarello’s Napa Style store in Yountville has something for everyone, and tasting his personally made wine there is a great experience. These are very small production wines from his own property, old vines that he nursed back to health, rather than tear out and replace. The wines have so much character and will age beautifully. He brings his chef's touch to winemaking and it shows. The tasting bar is surrounded by Michael's elegant Napa Style store in the Vintage 1870 shopping center. Don’t miss it!
Chimney Rock Winery: 5350 Silverado TrailNapa(Stag's Leap District) 707.257.2641 x 3206 www.chimneyrock.comHrs: 10-5TF: $$$ - $$$$Wines: Cab Sauv, Fumé Blanc, Rosé of Cab Franc. Notes: Part of the Terlato family who always does a good job of producing high quality wines and a satisfying tasting room experience. South African Dutch-style buildings sitting below the towering crags of Stag's Leap. Big reds.
Cliff Lede Vineyards:1473 Yountville Cross Rd.Yountville(Stag's Leap District) 707.944.8642www.CliffLedeVineyards.comHrs: 10-5TFs: $$-$$$ Wines: Cab Sauv, Merlot, Claret. Notes: This is an absolutely charming winery on the northern edge of the Stag's Leap district, just minutes from downtown Yountville. The staff is nice, the wines are excellent, the gardens and patio out back are gracious and relaxing. In a separate building is an art gallery with a rotating exhibit. A nice, small gift area.
Cline Cellars: 24737 Arnold Dr.Sonoma(Carneros) 707.940.4000www.clinecellars.comHrs: 10-6Tours at 11, 1 & 3TF: $Wines: Mourvèdre, Carignane, Syrah, Zin, Viognier, Marsanne Roussanne, Blends. Notes: This was the site of the original San Francisco Solano mission, the final, and 21st mission established in California. Later the mission was moved to the Plaza. It is a great location & the grounds are expansive and park-like. They do tours, and have a bird & animal collection. They built a museum for scale models of the 21 Franciscan Missions. The models were built many years ago and the Cline family discovered them and had them restored. The tasting room is homey and friendly, and very popular, especially late in the day, because they are on the right side of the road as people are leaving the valleys to return to the city. The wines are always good. Fred Cline was one of the first people in the area to use sheep grazing as part of their vineyard management. It has since become very popular, in part because the sheep are cute. The winery is run almost entirely on solar power and there is an educational display about how it works. Not to be missed.
Clos Du Bois Wines: 19410 Geyserville Ave.Geyserville(AlexanderValley) 707.857.3100www.closdubois.comHrs: 10- 4:30TF: $(inc logo glass). Wines: Cab Sauv, Chard, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Sauv Blanc, Shiraz, Zin, Tempranillo, Fumé Blanc, Blends. Notes: A large winery with a good product. Gifts, Picnic, Tours.
Clos Du Val: 5330 Silverado TrailNapa(Stag's Leap District) 800.993.9463707.261.5200www.closduval.comHrs: 10-5 Tasting: $$-$$$. (inc logo glass) CWP. Wines: Cab Sauv, Chard, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Blends. Notes: Very much a French-style winery, with good wines, a spacious tasting room, and good picnic spot on a hot day. They are fun to visit during crush because the grape sorters are next to the tasting room and you see and smell the process. Bocce Court, Gifts, Picnic area, and Tours. Clos Pegase Winery: 1060 Dunaweal Ln.Calistoga 707.942.4981 x 213www.clospegase.comHrs: 10:30-5TF: $$-$$$Wines: Chard, Sauv Blanc, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cab Sauv. Notes: This is a winery as gallery with an eclectic, art-filled tasting room with a good staff. The art, combined with the incredible building, makes this a destination winery. A nice picnic area next to the fountain. Near to Sterling and minutes from Castello di Amorosa. There are guided tours of the winery & grounds at 11 & 2, free of charge. No reservations necessary. For large groups, tours must be scheduled in advance.
Colin Lee Vineyards & Winery:1189 Lawndale Rd.Kenwood 707.833.5433Hrs: by appointmentTF: PIEWines: Cab Sauv, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Viognier. This is a very small winery, at the winemaker's home. They make less than a 1000 cases. The tasting is done at the outside kitchen. It's great, but they run out of wine. Conn Creek Winery: 8711 Silverado Trail S.St. Helena 707.963.9100www.conncreek.comHrs: 10-4Tours by appointment instant(Winter Hrs: 11-4)TF: $$ - $$$$Wines: Cab Sauv, Cab Franc, Merlot. Notes: Gifts, Tours. They are located at a busy intersection and make some very good wines. When they first planted the vineyards it was so rocky that they had to use explosives to break up some of the boulders.
ConstantDiamondMountain: 2121 Diamond Mountain Rd.Calistoga 707.942.0707www.constantwine.comHrs: By appointmentTF:$$$$Wines: Cab Franc, Merlot, Cab Sauv. Notes: A premium winery at the top the mountain. They meet you and bring you up in a four wheel drive.
Corison Wines: 987 St Helena Hwy (Rt 29).St. Helena 707.963.0826www.corison.comHrs: 10-5 by appointment instantTF: $$ - $$$$CWPWines: Cab Sauv, GewürztraminerNotes: A small winery and respected winemaker known for their stellar Cabs, although the tasting room is bit rustic. A diamond in the rough.
Cosentino Winery: 7415 St Helena Hwy (Rt 29).Yountville 707.944.1220www.cosentinowinery.comHrs: 10-5:30TF: $$ - $$$Wines: Bianco, Chard, Gewürztraminer, Semillon, Sangiovese, Dolcetto, Tempranillo, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cab Franc, Cab Sauv, Zin, Meritage, Viognier, Botrytis Semillon. Notes: This is a high energy tasting room next to Mustard’s Grill. The wines are interesting, tasty, and properly-prices, the staff is quick and fun, and they have an interesting gift section. Very modern!
Coturri Winery: 6725 Enterprise Rd.Glen Ellen 707.525.9126www.coturriwinery.comHrs: by appointment. TF:$ Wines: They have a wide selection of organically grown wines, family-owned and run in the hills of Glen Ellen.
Cuvaison Estate Wines: 4550 Silverado Trail N.Calistoga707.942.2468 Tasting room at the Vineyards:1221 Duhig Rd.Napa,page 109. 707.942.2455 (Carneros)Hrs: 10-5TF: $$Wines: Pinot Noir, Cab Sauv, Chard, Merlot, Syrah, Zin, Port. Notes: The old winery is in Calistoga, but the vineyards are in Carneros. This Swiss family has owned it for many years and they are renovating their popular tasting room on the Silverado Trail. The Carneros tasting room, across from Domaine Carneros is simple but elegant. They make great Carneros wines and have a friendly, knowledgeable staff. Page 203
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Call 707-235-2648 for Tours, Books & Seminars Copyright Ralph & Lahni de Amicis 2011 All tasting fees, hours, wine lists, etc are subject to change.
