1108 Deer Park Rd, Deer Park, CA 94576

Website: http://burgesscellars.com/

Burgess Cellars is located on Howell Mountain, down the road from Viader.  My husband and I spent a day exploring a few wineries on Howell Mountain and quickly became fans of any wines made from these mountain vineyards.  Our visit to Burgess Cellars was a unique, quiet experience.  This winery requires advance reservations.  We were the only guests at the time we visited.  As we drove up the drive to the front door, a gentleman greeted us.  Before heading inside for a tasting, we walked over to the side overlooking the vineyards and Lake Berryessa.  Our guide gave us a brief history lesson on the vineyards and mentioned that they were once owned by Lee Stewart of Chateau Souverain.  My ears perked up and the wine geek in me kicked in.  I’ve read about Lee Stewart in Napa Valley history books.  He is one of the founding fathers of the California wine industry. 

There is so much history in this winery!  This winery and vineyards has existed since the 1870s era. The real legacy began with Lee Stewart who purchased the winery in 1943.  He was a pioneer in Napa Valley.  Famous winemakers Mike Grgich and Warren Winiarski got their start working for Lee, both whose wines won 1^st place in the 1976 Judgment of Paris.  That must say something for Lee’s mentorship.  In 1972 Lee put his fully functioning winery and award-winning vineyards up for sale, and emerging wine enthusiast Tom Burgess jumped on the opportunity.

Burgess Cellars Wines

Tom began a new legacy as a winemaker.  He grew up in northern Ohio where he had his first introduction to wine.  As a Geology and Aeronautics major in college and then an Air Force pilot, Tom had some incredible assignments that included flying Project Gemini astronauts around and becoming lifelong friends with Neil Armstrong. During his time off he was a wine enthusiast, trying wines from around the world.  However, a life changing experience at Beaulieu Winery led him to pursue a career as a vintner in Napa Valley.  When he started at the winery there were only about two dozen wineries in Napa and Sonoma Valley.  The number of wineries essentially doubled in 1972 alone.  With Tom at the helm, Burgess Cellars has thrived.  After making wine for 32 years, he called in his children to come work for him.  Since 2012, his sons Steven and James have taken on the responsibility of President and Vineyard Manager upholding what their father started.

Burgess Cellars Tasting Room

Soaking in all of this history gives a new perspective to the wine tasting experience.  I wasn’t just there trying any wines.  I was sampling a piece of the past and present.  The tasting room is rather modest.  It is inside of a barrel room with a tasting bar on the right.  The experience includes wines from the two Howell Mountain estates.  Their flagship wines include Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Syrah. Library wines going all the way back to 1979 are available for purchase and cellared in the tasting room.  We had an individualized 1:1 tasting experience at our own pace.  It’s always a special treat when someone pulls out a library wine during the tasting.  We were able to try wines from several different vintages, one going back ten years.  These are wines that are definitely meant for a nice dinner, special occasion, or aging in a cellar.

If you are interested in a piece of Napa Valley history and some great Howell Mountain wine, give this winery a call to set up a tasting.

Burgess Cellars Tasting Room