At the top of Mount Veeder, housed in a historic winery built in the 1800s, is Hess Persson Estates. Ideally placed for stunning panoramic views of the surrounding slopes and Napa Valley below, the estate is a popular destination for both tourists and locals.
One of the most unique appeals of visiting the estate is the ability to enjoy not only wine but also art. Donald Hess first made Mount Veeder the home of his winery in the 1970s – then known as The Hess Collection – and shortly after that, opened The Hess Collection Art Museum to the public. Today, the museum holds the Hess family’s extensive collection of renowned contemporary works by artists such as Andy Goldsworthy, Frank Stella, and Robert Rauschenberg.
When planning a visit to the winery, the Estate Tour & Tasting can include a private walking tour of The Hess Collection Art Museum guided by Museum Director Robert Ceballos. A seated tasting of equally impressive estate-exclusive wines offers curated culinary add-ons featuring seasonal garden produce, sweet bites, and local cheeses.
An alternative tour of the estate grounds is also available. Not to be missed is the Lions Head Cellar, which features a preserved, towering fermentation tank that was crushed in the 2014 earthquake, which nearly destroyed the cellar. A reminder of the challenges of mother nature, the tank also symbolizes the investment the next generation of the Hess family, Tim and Sabrina Persson, made to transform the space into a cutting-edge facility.
The estate’s new Cabernet Appellation Tasting leads the terroir-curious through the distinct flavors of single-sourced Cabernet Sauvignons from famous appellations such as Mount Veeder, Moon Mountain, Rutherford, and Oakville.
For the adventure seeker, the estate offers an ATV Vineyard Tour & Tasting. Guests get the chance to explore acres of mountain vineyards before enjoying an exquisite pairing of current releases with seasonal culinary creations from Executive Chef Chad Hendrickson.
The estate’s Wine & Chocolate Experience, one of the only experiences of its kind available in Napa Valley, has become a popular favorite. Beyond what you might expect of a traditional wine and chocolate pairing, “it’s an interactive, hands-on experience with in-house Chocolatier Chef Jason Collins,” shared Hannah Bradford of Hess Persson Estates. “Chef Collins teaches guests how to create their own custom chocolate bar, including their choice of gourmet additions from dried fruits to wine-flavored sea salt. Then, guests learn the ins and outs of pairing chocolate with wine. It’s an amazing, immersive process.”
Other offerings include the Blending Experience and the Tour of the Palate. This two-part experience begins in The Hess Collection Art Museum and ends in the estate dining room overlooking the vineyards, where a 3-course tasting menu designed by Chef Hendrickson is served.
In early February (perfectly timed for Valentine’s Day), Hess Persson Estates will host a Winemaker Dinner. Guests will be hosted by Museum Director Rob Ceballos and Winemaker Stephanie Pope, with the opportunity to wander The Hess Art Museum, taste selected wines, and enjoy a special tasting menu inspired by the museum’s works.
