James Cole Winery

5014 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558

Website: https://www.jamescolewinery.com/

James Cole is a small, family-owned winery located along the southern end of the Silverado Trail in the Oak Knoll AVA.  It’s nestled beside the more prominent Signorello and Darioush estates.  This is considered a boutique winery run by James and Colleen Harder (the name of winery comes from a combination of their names).  James grew up in a farming community in Alberta, Canada and started in the wine industry right out of college working in sales and marketing.  Colleen is a California native who was also working in marketing and living in San Francisco when she met James. In 2000, the same year they got married, they carried out a dream they both shared and purchased the 11 acre property in Napa.  This is a winery truly built on hard work and dedication.  James Cole opened its doors to the tasting room in Oct. 2007, and the Harders continue to live out their passion while raising their daughter Marleigh and son Tyson on the estate.

James Cole Winery tasting room

If you aren’t paying attention traveling along the Sliverado Trail you could miss the winery.  There’s a small stone sign marking the entrance and what looks like someone’s house back from the road behind the vineyards out.  The tasting room is an unassuming stone building with a solar panel roof.  The tasting room is cozy with a couple of tables for seated tastings on the left.  To the right is a small wood-top bar with stools for 4-6.  There are also a couple of leather chairs up against the back wall next to a stone statue that is the same symbol on the wine labels.  The space could comfortably accommodate about 10-12 guests.

Patio at James Cole winery

Off to the right of the bar is a barrel room with a long table set up for private tasting events.  Some of the family’s personality was on display amongst the barrels with a motorcycle parked on one side and a Rolling Stones pinball machine on the other.  Outside there was a little patio nook beneath a trellis with some cushioned seats for a party of eight.  Compared to many of the other larger, flashier Napa wineries, this one felt like a sort of hideaway.

James Cole produces a variety of red wines from the classic Bordeaux varietals – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbet, and Cabernet Franc.  They also have a Zinfandel and Petite Sirah blend called Il Mostro.  On the lighter side, they served a dry, peachy, Provençal style rosé made from Grenache, Mourvedre, and Vermentino and a creamy Chardonnay that was reminiscent of carmel pears.  My personal favorite was the Cabernet Sauvignon that had an aroma of dark chocolate truffles and cranberry and notes of milk chocolate on the palate.  Two other wines I greatly enjoyed were the velvety Tyson red blend (named after the owners’ son) that tasted of black fruit and spice, as well as the dark, purply Oak Knoll Malbec.

There is a lot to like about this winery.  You’ll have to plan ahead because tastings are by reservation.  If you are planning a day in the lower part of Napa and wanting to avoid some of the bigger crowds with some great red wine, stop into James Cole.