NAPA VALLEY, CA—As you may recall, my last post left off when I stopped to buy a molasses cookie at The Model Bakery in St. Helena. Leaving this little tourist town behind me, I traveled south on Hwy 29, Napa Valley’s main artery. My next stop would be Mumm Napa on the other side (the east side) of the Valley. Mumm Napa is renowned for their sparkling wine made in the California Style… It’s certainly one of my favorite stops on the Silverado Trail. The wine made at the California facility is, of course, made in a very different style than that made at their original winery near Reims, France. In France, as I recall, the style is bone dry. Still delicious, it is made in a style that suits the French palate.

There are several crossroads that cut across to the Silverado Trail on the eastern side of the Valley. The nearest to my location was Zinfandel Lane.

On the corner of Zinfandel Lane was this self serve produce stand. Napa Valley certainly isn’t wall-to-wall glamor as some publications would have you believe. There is also a lot of Northern California’s fun and quirkiness scattered about.

I had not seen “Kathy’s Corner” before. But it’s a great landmark. Otherwise, I might have missed my turn onto Zinfandel Lane.

End of the season apples, tomatoes, and Pineapple Guava!

Leaving the fruit stand, I headed east on Zinfandel Lane until I reached the scenic Silverado Trail. Not so many years ago, this was a little known north/south highway. I recall taking leisurely bike rides along this pastoral thoroughfare. Today, groups of automobiles often stream by at high speeds. Bicyclists beware!

A right turn at Silverado Trail and you’ll come to Mumm Napa.

Bad luck for me. On this day, the facility was closed for a special event…

The security guard was kind enough to let me slip through to snap these photos. Mumm Napa has a spacious gift shop that you enter into.

The tasting veranda is just beyond with spectacular views of the vineyards and the Mayacamas Range. In the warmer months, or on a sunny day, sitting with a glass of bubbly and friends on the new outside deck may be the ultimate pleasure. (Sorry, no good photos of the deck today as the rain had just begun. But you’ll find a grand photo on page 53 of our latest 5th Edition book.) 

One of the best ways to appreciate Mumm Napa is with a tour. The winery has a reputation for putting on one of the best in the business, covering the complicated steps necessary to get all those bubbles into each bottle.

As I continued south on the Silverado Trail I took a sharp left turn (east) onto Rutherford Hill Road. This mountain road is a little steep with several blind corners so do take it slowly. You’ll pass the ultra-luxurious Auberge du Soleil. This extraordinary hotel has an acclaimed Michelin-star restaurant on-site. Alas, I have never eaten at Auberge. But perhaps, one day, I’ll enjoy breakfast on their hilltop deck with one-of-a-kind views of the Valley below. Breathtaking indeed!

Continue to the top of Rutherford Hill Road and you’ll come to…

…Rutherford Hill Winery. With it’s gambrel roof and rough-hewn redwood timbers, the winery resembles an antique barn. The building is large enough to house both the winery and the tasting room. The winery is framed by expansive lawns and gardens, and a picnic area set in Napa Valley’s oldest olive grove.

Even in November, you’ll still find lots of color on the winery’s grounds.

This picnic table with a white table cloth was reserved…

Inside the tasting room, with its relaxed atmosphere, crowds of visitors were on their best behavior. :)

There are often special events happening in California wine country. Even on this rainy day, some type of winery “passport” promotion had encouraged folks to come out and have some fun.

Rutherford Hill Winery specializes in Merlot and Bordeaux blends. Their wines have won numerous awards and high praise.

Their current tasting menu was vast with many different flights to choose from ranging in price from $15-$30. One example was the Rutherford Hill Mix. It included the following 5 wines:

2009 Napa (Carneros) Chardonnay • (cases produced: 2,118) (Drink now)
2010 (Napa Valley) Rosé • (cases produced: 485) (Drink now)
2008 (Napa Valley) Sangiovese • (cases produced: 541) (Drink by 2016)
2007 (Napa Valley) Merlot • (cases produced: 34,929) (Drink by 2016)
2007 (Napa Valley) Zinfandel • (cases produced: 480) (Drink by 2017)

In my next post I’ll finish up my Napa Valley speed tour with ZD Wines, and Saddleback.