One of Napa Valley’s largest winery properties is ironically one of the least known. Located within the region’s eastern Vaca Mountains, Somerston Estate and its 1,682 acres undulate over hill and dale at elevations ranging from 800 to 1,650 feet. Considered one of Napa’s great wine properties, the vineyard estate is diverse, significant, and majestically impressive.
Established privately in 2007 by three families, the estate combines two historic properties, Priest Ranch and Elder Valley. These 236 acres of sustainably farmed vineyards include 144 individual blocks from which two distinct wine brands are produced, Somerston Estate and Priest Ranch.
Co-founder Craig Becker serves as director of viticulture and winemaking. He and his team farm the property with precision and the singular goal of pulling the greatest potential out of each site. With each Somerston Estate vintage, Becker identifies the highest quality blocks to produce limited quantity, block-designate wines of complexity, depth, structure, and long-term ageability.
Two stunning examples of the estate’s propensity for quality and intensity are the 2015 Somerston Cabernet Sauvignon Block XCVI and the 2017 Somerston Cabernet Sauvignon. The former is derived from a two-acre vineyard with steep, well-drained, rocky soils. Wines from this site are powerful, with exceptional structure, richness, and aromatics. Only 300 cases of this wine were produced.
The latter features the only fruit harvested for this vintage and comes from one of the most valued hillside vineyards on the Somerston Estate—block 60, which spans less than one acre. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in this vineyard progress effortlessly to ideal ripeness, creating a dark, rich, fruit-forward wine. A mere nine barrels of this wine were produced.
Wine lovers owe it to themselves to sample a selection of Somerston Estate wines at either the estate or the Priest Ranch tasting room in Yountville. The estate, located 10 miles east of the Silverado Trail, features wine tastings accompanied by small plate pairings. With the addition of their newest team member, executive chef Dan Solomon, guests can also schedule a private lunch and dinner with the winemaker. These exclusive experiences include guided tours of the estate with Becker and newly appointed winemaker Cody Hurd, followed by a seasonal four-course meal curated by Solomon and paired with Somerston wines. Visitors can also make a reservation in advance for a private, guided 90-minute outdoor experience that includes a property tour followed by a tasting ($100) or a private lunch/dinner ($350+).
The Priest Ranch tasting room at 6490 Washington Street in downtown Yountville offers wine tastings and uniques culinary pairings of their portfolio sourced and produced at Somerston estate. Tastings range in price from $50 to $200 and can include the notorious Bacon & Wine Experience or the elegant Caviar and Bubbles Experience. Open daily from 10:00am to 6:00pm.
Reservations can be made online via Tock or by emailing visit@somerstonestate.com.
www.Somerstonestate.com
