Acacia Winery

2750 Las Amigas Rd, Napa, CA 94559

Website: http://www.acaciavineyard.com/

When I think back to my visit to Acacia, the first thing that comes to mind is their lovely Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The second thing is the very pretty views from right outside the tasting room. Acacia is located in Carneros surrounded by rolling acres of vineyards. The gorgeous views alone on the drive there make it worth the trip.

Acacia Winery was started in 1979 and had a “cult” status for its Pinot Noir. Today the winery still specializes in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. It is now owned by the beverage giant Diageo who also owns Beaulieu, Sterling Vineyards, and a few other wineries. One of the perks of becoming a club member at one of the Diageo’s properties is that it includes benefits and free tastings to the other wineries in their portfolio.

A view of Carneros from Acacia

If you ignore the surrounding views and focus on the winery itself, it looks mostly like a big warehouse. There is a little green awning and some glass doors that mark the entrance to the tasting room.

Acacia’s outdoor seating area

Across the parking lot from the tasting room is a small area that looks like an outdoor covered deck with some seats. There was also a big green canopy with some long picnic tables underneath. Although there wasn’t anything fancy about either area, they provide great views of vineyards as far as the eye can see. Inside the tasting room was also pretty modest. The walls were painted white and gray and the tasting bar looked like it was made from weathered staves of wine barrels. There were some bottles of wine lined up along the wall behind the bar. There wasn’t a whole lot of space to move around. Off to the right of the tasting bar was a glass door that leads to the fermentation room.

Acacia’s tasting room

I appreciated the quiet, unassuming atmosphere because it put more focus on the wines.    I really loved the Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay. It was fruity and had a nice creaminess that I didn’t find overpowering for an oaked Chardonnay. They have some great quality Pinot Noirs as well. After all, that is what they have been known for from the beginning.

If you are traveling through the Napa side of Carneros, I think this winery is worth the stop to snap some nice pictures and sample the type of wine this area is known for.