Chimney Rock Winery
5350 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA
Website: http://www.chimneyrock.com/
Chimney Rock is an alluring winery located off the Silverado Trail in the highly acclaimed Stags Leap District. I was drawn in by its white Cape Dutch style architecture that stands out along the hillside. Before being planted to grapes, the property was a 185 acre golf course. The name “Chimney Rock” was inspired by the chiseled rock formations in the hillside. The Wilsons purchased the property in 1980 and planted 75 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. The first vintage of Chimney Rock wine was produced in 1984, but it wasn’t until 1990 that the hospitality center opened for the first time. A decade later, the Wilsons formed a partnership with the Terlato family who own more than 40 wine brands worldwide including some well-known Napa and Sonoma wineries like Markham, Rutherford Hill, Iron Horse, and Terlato Family Vineyards. The Terlato family has full ownership of the winery today.
Tasting room at Chimney Rock
I really enjoyed my tasting experience at Chimney Rock. The tasting room is open, bright, and comfortable with white walls and wooden beams. Windows all around the room bring in lots of natural light. There is a good-sized, square, wooden tasting bar in the center of the room. A gold chandelier and wooden shelving add some elegance to an otherwise simple room. According to their website, they are recognized as “one of the world’s premier fine wine producers”. They offer a selection of tasting options that range from $20-$35. Although I consider this to be a bit high, many of the Napa wineries are charging similar fees now. My husband and I shared a white flight and a red flight. I wasn’t a huge fan of the white wines, but I really enjoyed the Cabernet Sauvignon. This is not a surprise to me since people have been seeking out Cabernet Sauvignon from the Stags Leap District since the famous Judgment of Paris in 1976. This winery also offers a few different tours each day by prior appointment. The staff here was very gracious and I would recommend this as a stop along the Silverado Trail for their red wines.