William Hill Winery
1761 Atlas Peak Rd.
Napa
(707) 224-4477
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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 youve almost made
it to the drive that winds its way up past vineyards to the winery
itself. Even if their wines werent worth the short trip (which,
luckily, they are) the feeling of temporary isolation and that view
certainly are. If youve visited once chances are youll
be back, most probably with friends who havent discovered
William Hill Winery yet. Perhaps youll 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.
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Graeser Winery
255 Petrified Forest Rd.
Calistoga
(707) 942-4437
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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 wasnt
until Richard Graeser came along that grapes were planted.
While the current owners 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.
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