William Hill Winery

William Hill Winery
1761 Atlas Peak Rd.
Napa
(707) 224-4477

 

 

 

William Hill Winery is not exactly a tiny little winery, but it is tucked away just far enough off the beaten path to make it into this category of “winery finds.” It has been producing award-winning wines from the Napa Valley since it was founded in 1978. The winery practices what Winemaker Jill Davis calls “focused winemaking.” She uses this philosophy to create their Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines, which have fruit that comes exclusively from hillside, bench land and mountain vineyards, and from the subtle Chardonnays that rely on fruit from cooler growing areas.

The winery itself sits on a hilltop that commands a spectacular view of the Napa Valley on three sides, with Atlas Peak (and an absolute forest of million dollar homes at the lower levels) looming up at your back. Find Silverado Resort and you’ve almost made it to the drive that winds its way up past vineyards to the winery itself. Even if their wines weren’t worth the short trip (which, luckily, they are) the feeling of temporary isolation and that view certainly are. If you’ve visited once chances are you’ll be back, most probably with friends who haven’t discovered William Hill Winery yet. Perhaps you’ll take a snack, buy a bottle or two of their wine, and have a picnic.

The tasting room at William Hill is open daily and while tours are by appointment only, they are worth scheduling. There are also special winery-only wines available only in their tasting room, which gives you yet one more reason to visit this piece of the Silverado Bench just south of the Stags Leap District in Southern Napa Valley.

Graeser Winery

Graeser Winery
255 Petrified Forest Rd.
Calistoga
(707) 942-4437

There is absolutely no way anyone could ever forget a visit to Graeser Winery. First off there is the physical beauty of this hidden gem perched above Calistoga at the north end of the Napa Valley. Secondly there is the proprietor, Richard Graeser, equal parts raconteur, winemaker, farmer and all around certified character.

Having spent most of his adult life as a vegetable farmer in the Imperial Valley he eventually left watermelons and lettuce and settled onto the property his father had acquired in 1958. Originally called “La Perlita del Monte” (Pearl of the Valley) it was 45 prime acres in the hills that had been purchased by a wealthy surgeon, Dr. D. Beverly Cole, in 1875. One of the original investors in the famous Comstock Lode, Cole used this property as a retreat. It wasn’t until Richard Graeser came along that grapes were planted.

While the current owner’s background may have been at the other end of the farming spectrum he seems to be learning fast. His wines have been winning awards since the second vintage and today they are sought by collectors. If you have not had the chance to try a fine Cabernet Franc (one of the five classic Bordeaux varietals), here is your chance. Full of fruit, with a fine structure and an ample but mellow body, it is a wonderful introduction to this often-overlooked varietal.

When you raise your glass, take a moment to look around at the main house with its dramatic skylight in the foyer and at the hillside vineyards which are in stark contrast to the stand of trees that surround it. There are the outbuildings, the lawn, the barn filled with French oak barrels where the wine ages. And there are dogs wandering about everywhere, with Graeser not far behind. It is a step back in time, for sure, and a grand one at that.

You can look far and wide for wines bearing the Graeser label, but be on notice that almost all of the modest production (only 60 cases of the 1996 Merlot Estate, for instance) is sold out of the tasting room and winery. The winery is open daily.