| Most Napa Valley visitors have heard of Robert | | | | Small wineries and vineyards can give you a level of |
| Mondavi wines, Sutter Home and Beringer. You can | | | | customer service and attention you may not receive |
| buy and enjoy their wines in most U.S. grocery | | | | at larger wineries. And, small wineries can't afford to |
| stores and wine shops. | | | | have an attitude either. Their friendly attitude is |
| But, most visitors have never heard of Elk Horn | | | | genuine and fun. Goosecross and Stelzner are great |
| Peak, Hagafen, Miller, Madrigal or Stelzner (to name | | | | examples of this. And their are tons more, too. |
| just a few...). | | | | Often small and boutique wines are priced reasonably |
| There's more than 350 wineries in the 38 mile long | | | | and provide a great value for the incredible quality |
| Napa Valley and only a few dozen are widely known. | | | | you receive. The value of a wine isn't the price, it is |
| That doesn't mean they are the best. Sure, they | | | | what tastes good to you. Inexpensive wines can be |
| make good wine, but so do many of the really small | | | | just as good or better than expensive wines. I |
| wineries. | | | | remember doing a blind tasting of Chardonnays a |
| Small and boutique wineries are real "hands on" | | | | few years ago and out of 6 wines the most |
| operations. They are fun, friendly and have tons of | | | | expensive wine came in last place when scored by |
| character. | | | | the entire group. |
| Some, like Elk Horn Peak are really laid back and built | | | | Some of these small wineries, like Bouchaine and V. |
| into an old barn. Ken makes an outstanding Pinot Noir. | | | | Sattui, have picnic tables and can even offer food, |
| Others, like Cosentino, have a tasting room right on | | | | appetizers and nibbles to go with a bottle of their |
| Highway 29. If you like Zinfandel, their's is terrific. | | | | fine wine (food and wine at additional cost). |
| The magic of small wineries and vineyards is the | | | | While many of these small and boutique wineries will |
| character and individuality they provide the Napa | | | | sell you wine through the Internet, you don't have an |
| Valley visitor. | | | | easy way to find out which ones you like the |
| One company, Vintners Collective, was formed to be | | | | best...unless you go their. |
| a collective of wines from wine makers who all | | | | So, the next time you visit the Napa Valley to taste |
| scored 90+ in Wine Spectator, but were too small to | | | | wines, try small wineries and vineyards. They'll make |
| have their own tasting room. So, in one place, you | | | | the experience an enjoyable and memorable one. |
| can sample an incredible collection of fantastic wines | | | | And you can have wines shipped to your home or |
| by wine makers dedicated to the art of fine wine. | | | | business to share with family and friends. |