There is a broad range of winetasting experiences throughout Napa Valley, but for those looking for something more adventurous than a typical vineyard tour and tasting, Shadybrook Estate offers visitors the opportunity to experience something truly unique to Wine Country.
Hidden behind the rolling hills of Coombsville, while still just a short jaunt from downtown Napa, the 83-acre Shadybrook Estate offers something for the nature-loving, active oenophile with their Ultimate Ranch Experience. This once-in-a-lifetime experience includes a horseback ride through the vineyard followed by a flight of small production, premium wines, and a curated pairing experience. “We are the only winery in Napa that offers this, so it’s truly special,” said general manager Kristine Youngberg.
The three-hour experience is an idyllic way to appreciate the property’s historic Rapp Ranch Vineyards, tucked into the Coombsville appellation. The 12 acres of estate vineyards were planted with five different Cabernet Sauvignon clones in 2002; riding through the vineyards and feeling the distinct microclimate that’s influenced by the cool coastal breezes off the San Pablo Bay lets visitors witness firsthand the quality conditions that affect the grapes used in their premium wines.
After their horseback tour of the vineyards, guests are seated on the Grand Tasting Terrace for a flight of carefully selected wines paired alongside artisanal cheeses, like aged Mimolette cheese from Normandy, France, and locally sourced Humboldt Fog from Cypress Grove. Charcuterie offerings such as salami infused with bourbon-soaked cherries and bresaola from the famed Fatted Calf in Napa, as well as seasonal accompaniments like nuts, fruits, spreads, and a selection of herbs, vegetables, and edible flowers that are harvested directly from their culinary garden.
For a more hands-on wine experience, Shadybrook Estate features exciting opportunities to explore their wines in educational and relaxing settings. Their BlendFest, for example, is an opportunity for larger groups to join their winemaker to learn more about crafting the perfect blend. This immersive experience involves choosing from a selection of red wine barrel samples to create a blend that reflects a guest’s personal preferences. The experience ends with a full tasting on the grand terrace overlooking the estate vineyards, and each guest will take home a bottle of their personal blend.
For those looking for a relaxing respite from the rigor of jumping from winery to winery, the Sip and Paint tasting allows visitors to try a completely different type of blending — working with watercolors in Shadybrook’s winery garden with instruction from professional artist to lead guests through painting their perception of the Rapp Ranch Vineyard, all while enjoying wines and views at the winery that was just named Napa Best Boutique Winery in Napa Valley Life’s Best of Napa Reader’s Choice Awards.
