Wine Tasting in Napa Valley - Trefethen Family Vineyards

Our second winery in our list was Trefethen Family Vineyards.  This winery has been in our list because I know at least two people who have been to this winery and they all loved it. 

Mijo, our friends B&B and I enjoyed this winery as well. They have elegant wines, knowledgeable wine educators and very friendly staff.

From Silver Oak Cellars, we drove south on Hwy 29 to Trefethen Family Vineyards.

 It was a little over 10 a.m. when we got to the winery. The great thing about going to wineries in the morning during the week is that the winery staff are still fresh which equate to being friendly and chatty. Our taste buds are also not wined out yet so the taste of wines are crystal clear to our palate.

The estate that houses the Trefethen Family Vineyards' tasting room is in a quiet area in the middle of the vineyard. The estate is a 19th century redwood winery that is a designated National Historic Landmark.

 

We were lucky to have Dan to be our Wine Educator that day. He is very knowledgeable not only about the wines but also the history of Trefethen Family Vineyards. He shared to us the story behind the vineyards and the different grape varietals that are planted in the area. He shared how the vineyards in the valley are drought ready and how the winery is using reclaimed water which makes the winery sustainable. He also gave us a short lecture on oak barrels. (Thank you, Dan!)

   

Now for the tasting. They have a Classic Tasting and a Reserve Tasting. Of course, we chose the Reserve Tasting though Dan let us taste a few wines in the Classic Tasting just to compare.

   

The Reserve Tasting includes their 2012 Pinot Noir, 2011 Dragon's Tooth, 2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. We also tasted their 2011 Merlot and 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon from their Classic Tasting.

   

They were all great tasting wines. I noticed about the finish of the wines. I taste lots of flavors lingering on my palate. Too bad this was a side by side tasting because I would bring home all the wine in their tasting menu.

   

In the end, Mijo and I decided to get their 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon and their 2012 Pinot Noir.

   

Trefethen Family Vineyards is one of my favorite wineries in the valley. We would definitely come back. 

Trefethen Family Vineyards is off Hwy 29 in Napa Valley.

~rl