Visitors to the Napa Valley have an abundance of choices when selecting their wine tasting opportunities. But few wineries or tasting rooms can match the originality of Priest Ranch. The Vaca Mountain range producer of traditional and not-so-traditional varieties has chosen Yountville as its wine tasting home base, and it’s within this warm and welcoming Washington Street location that visitors find pure fun.
They also encounter wines that are atypical for Napa producers, such as a bright and refreshing 100% Syrah Brut Rosé, as well as unconventional red blends, they creatively named Peacemaker, Snake Oil and Coach Gun. Several wines in the Priest Ranch portfolio are small production and are available only in the tasting room. Open daily, the Priest Ranch tasting room features unique tastings such as the Bacon & Wine Pairing, which pairs four distinct and thick cuts of pork belly with four wines selected to enhance the flavors of each perfectly. The Bubbles & Bites tasting makes for a luxuriant celebration no matter the occasion and features their Brut Rosé with a 1 oz. serving of high-quality caviar, crème fraiche, and kettle chips. Additional tasting room options include wines by the glass, cheese plates, and convivial outdoor seating. Have an idea for a unique tasting experience not on the menu? Ask, and the Priest Ranch concierge team will try to make it happen.
The source of Priest Ranch wines comes from Somerston Estate, a stunning 1682-acre property in the eastern hills of Napa Valley, just off of Silverado Trail, where limited production, single varietal wines are produced with the greatest integrity. Priest Ranch winemaker Cody Hurd has worked these vineyards for nearly a decade alongside Craig Becker, Somerston Estate’s general manager, co-founder, and director of winemaking. Hurd develops all winemaking protocols and supervises production while managing the longtime cellar crew. As winemaker, his focus is maintaining a portfolio of distinctive wine blends reflective of the full diversity of the vineyard.
“Cody has been a part of Priest Ranch’s journey from the beginning and embodies our values,” said Craig Becker. “I greatly respect him as not just an incredibly talented winemaker but also as a leader to our longtime cellar and vineyard team, who are like family.”
“Joining Priest Ranch at an early phase in its evolution allowed me to grow alongside our estate,” explained Cody. “I want our wines to be an expression of this land and its heritage. My job is to work alongside our amazing team to bring out the unique characteristics of the property.”
The Priest Ranch Yountville tasting room is open daily, 10am – 6pm. Reservations
are recommended, though drop-ins are accommodated if space is available. Somerston Estate wine tasting experiences at the Napa Valley winery are by appointment only.
