Taste of Mount Veeder
Sean Capiaux, winemaker
I know it’s been a while since I posted, but I’m back to rejoin you on your wine journey. This post is about The Taste of Mount Veeder, an event I attended recently.
The first question that arises is, “Where is Mount Veeder?” The next question may be, “What wineries are there?” Let's start with the appellation – Mount Veeder. It is one of sixteen diverse American Viticultural Areas within the larger Napa Valley. An AVA, as they are known, is distinct in soil, weather, altitude, and orientation to the sun, to name a few. These are all distinct aspects that contribute to the expression of the grapes grown there. When 85% of the grapes are grown within that AVA, you will find it denoted on the wine label. Other AVAs you may recognize are Howell Mountain, Oakville, Calistoga, Coombsville, St. Helena, and so on.
What distinguishes Mount Veeder from the others? It has a cool to moderate climate with most of the vineyards above the fog. That translates to warmer nights and cooler days as compared to the valley floor. The elevation of Mount Veeder is 500 feet to 2,600 feet. The key varieties grown within the appellation are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, and Chardonnay. This AVA is located in the southern part of the valley and distinct with a longer growing season and lower yields.
The event we attended was the 25th annual Taste of Mount Veeder. It was held in the lovely garden space at Charles Krug Winery. There were 33 wineries taking part, pouring their wines and sharing information to all who inquired. It was a gorgeous, sunny day and a welcome opportunity to enjoy the luscious wines from these wineries that harvest their grapes from Mount Veeder. In addition to the tastings, there were auctions to complement the festive day. A little investment could bring home as many as 33 bottles of wine. Of course, there was also food and music to add to the mood.
For me, it was a wonderful time to explore wines that I had never tasted before. I made a list of those that I wanted to make sure I visited during the event. My tastings included Brandlin Estate, Calafia Wines, Lagier Meredith, Mithra, Pulido-Walker, and Vinoce Vineyards. There were many more to visit, yet these are just a few.
I especially enjoyed the Lagier Meredith (a highly recognized winery and delightful wine); O’Shaughnessy (made by the talented winemaker Sean Capiaux whose wine I’ve purchased since 2005); and Pulido-Walker (a well-crafted wine by winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown). If you have an opportunity to try or acquire these wines, you won’t be disappointed.
The setting was conducive to enjoying wine and learning. Winemakers and experienced hospitality folks were there to answer questions and offer insights. For me, it was a delightful day to also say hello to wonderful people that I have had the pleasure to taste with over the years. I wholeheartedly endorse and support these collective tastings for the pleasure of the wine and the people. This is an annual event that is worth putting on your calendar if you can make it.
Enjoy!
