Bolen Family Estates

Adrienne Shubin of the blog "The Rich Life on a Budget" admiring a bottle of Bolen Merlot

Worlds Best Merlot

Have I got one hell of a Merlot for you to try, Bolen Family Estates.  Bolen has the stated goal of producing the best Merlot in the world.  This epic Merlot is produced from Beckstoffer fruit and barrel aged for “as long as it takes to be perfect.” Sometimes that means 3 plus years before this juice hits the bottle.

Inside the cave where the tastings happen

Less that 500 Cases

Guess what, you aren't going to find this juice in the wine shop in your home town. With a total production of less than 500 cases the best way to get to this wine is to visit the cave where it is produced.  This wine is made available to people on the mailing list and to visitors to the wine cave.

Mike Bolen proudly sampling his own work

Hosted by the Owners

Tastings are personally conducted by either Mike or Eric Bolen. The experience of hanging out with the owners and sampling their passion is amazing. Sitting out in my vehicle I always hear that cave echo with laughter.

 

Pulling wine from the barrel with a wine thief

Barrel Samples

Using what is affectionately called a “wine thief” the Bolens' pull samples from various vintages still in barrel. Not only do you get to taste multiple vintages of the same wine you also get to sample the same wine in different barrels. Mind blowing experience if you haven’t done this before.

Bottles of the Red Field Blend

Red Field Blend

Bolen is all about that Merlot, but there is another wine made here. Ultra small production (about 50 cases!) of what is called the Red Field Blend. This wine comes from a mixed planted vineyard from Bolen’s personal estate. This wine is basically blended in the vineyard. Once picked the fruit is mixed and fermented together as opposed to separating out the Merlot from the Cab and blending it in the bottle. The result? Juice of the Gods!!!!! Be warned, with a 50 case supply per harvest of this stuff it doesn't last long.

My SUV waiting outside the cave waiting for the cases to be loaded up

Schedule A Visit

The easiest way to visit Bolen Family Estates is to book my services and let me handle the details (sorry I couldn't resist the chance for a plug.) Should you use some other company or (gasp) drive yourself, you can contact Mike at 707-294-7540 or email visit@bolenwine.com

Relic

A Napa wine tour that involves a stop at Relic Wines is not your boring belly up to the tasting bar experience. Tastings are personally hosted by Annette Summersett in a spot on top of Spring Mountain. Armed with great wines, a fun personality and a unique venue, Annette makes the visit a spectacular one.

Napa Valley Tours & Transportation's Logan enjoying a sample provided by Annette Summersett, who hosts all the tastings at Relic.

Relic Wines first vintage was in 2001

Relic is thel project of Mike Hirby and Schatzi Throckmorton. The two met while working at Berhens and Hitchock. With Mike as assistant wine maker and Schatzi on the business side, the two were a perfect match. Their first vintage was in 2001 with a Pinot Noir from the Alder Springs Vineyard. Mike Hirby also makes wines for D.R. Stephens Estate, Husic Family Vineyards, and Sarocka Estate.

The humble trailer where visitors get to experience Relic wines

Tasting trailer used to sample Relic Wines

As the winery is being built a humble trailer located on Spring Mountain serves as the temporary tasting room. It is a wonderful change of pace and a great option after visiting some of the more opulent tasting facilities.

Artefact Cab

Of course in the line up is a stellar Cabernet Sauvignon named Artefact. As with all wines, vineyard source is as important as wine making. This Cab comes from Corona Vineyard which is small 3 acre vineyard just above the Oakville Appellation.

Line up of Relic Wines ready to be sampled

Diverse Line-up

Utilizing grapes from old and established vineyards, Relic produces fun and interesting wines that people love. With offerings like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Rhone Varietals (Grenache, Syrah, Movedre, etc...) along with the Cabernet Sauvignon, visitors will be able to experience wines Napa few properties can match.

Annette keeps the Guitar close by just in case

Booking a Tasting

For those interested in a visit to Relic Wines you can call Annette at 707.484.9380 or email annette@relicwines.com. If you have Napa Valley Tours & Transportation chauffeuring your Napa Wine Tour, simply let our concierge know and we will book the appointment for you.

Whetstone

Beautifully restored Hamden W. McIntyre french style chateau from 1885

Whetstone's tasting room dates back to 1885

Whetstone wines offers a unique Napa wine tasting experience. Located on Atlas Peak Road featuring a restored building originally built by famed architect Hamden W. McIntyre back in 1885.

Gorgeous outside venue

The building alone is worth the visit. When the weather is nice (which in Napa it frequently is) most of the tasting activity happens outside with the French style chateau in the background.

Whetstone Wines founded in 2002 by Jamey Whetstone

Winemaker/Owner Jamey Whetstone got his start in the wine industry working for Turley Wine Cellars. During this time he took a trip to France where he worked for the Seysses family at Domaine Dujac in Morey St Denis. After falling in love with Pinot Noir Jamey started Whetstone in 2002 as a side project while still apprenticing at Turley. In 2005 he made Whetstone wines his sole project.

Line up of Whetstone's wine offerings

Not your typical wine offerings found in Napa

With offerings of Viognier, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah, Whetstone is not the typical stop on a Napa wine tour. The Chardonnay, and Syrah come from Napa vineyards while the Viognier and Pinot offerings come from sources in the Russian River and Sonoma Coast AVA's of Sonoma County.

All these wines are made in very small quantities ranging in 500 cases for the one of the Chardonnays to around 150 cases per year for Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir.

Logan Estes feeling comfortable inside the Chateau

Tastings by appointment only

Tastings are by appointment only and are $20 per person. There is also a lunch offering which features food prepared by Michael Chiarello (Napa Style, Bottega...)  for $75, which includes the wine. If you are rolling with me (aka @NapaChauffeur) I am happy to set this experience up for you. Otherwise call them at 707-254-0600