Vintner’s Collective on Main Street is downtown Napa’s original wine tasting room. It was founded over twenty years ago by winemaker and author Garret Murphy. The Collective offers a selection of extraordinary wines from small productions, top Napa vineyards, and renowned winemakers. High quality wines that aren’t part of a major label may find their home here. Some of the represented wineries offer tastings at the estate, but the convenience of this downtown location and wide selection of wines to taste and purchase make this tasting room a must-do visit for every Napa itinerary.
We were given a list of over 100 available wines from about 30 different winemakers to choose from with bottle prices ranging from about $40 to over $400. Since we weren’t familiar with any of these boutique-style wines, we relied on their knowledgeable Sales Coordinator, Michael Johnson, to choose for us. Michael’s selections, based on our preferences for reds and certain varietals, was spot-on.
Ancien Wines
Our tasting begins with a Pinot Noir from Ancien Wines founded by Ken and Teresa Bernards in 1998. Ken began his wine career in the 1980s pursuing a fascination with the challenging and romanticized Pinot Noir grape and after working in the industry, created his first Carneros Pino Noir in 1992. At Ancien he works exclusively with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris.
- 2022 Pinot Noir, Jouissance. Ancien sources the grapes for this wine from a single vineyard in the Russian River Valley that is owned, farmed and managed by viticulturist Mark Ligenfelder. Truly hand-crafted with only 151 cases produced. A fresh and lively Pinot Noir with aromas and flavors of cherry, vanilla, and allspice. Medium-bodied with tea and spice on the finish.
Flanagan Wines
Flanagan Wines located in Dry Creek Valley in Healdsburg is a family owned and operated winery that began with 40 acres on the heights of Bennett Mountain and expanded to include a vineyard and winery just outside Healdsburg. Currently they produce wines from several of the most highly regarded vineyards in Sonoma County.
- 2022 Syrah, Bennett Valley. The vineyard location is a less vigor site with cooler temperatures and wind; all aspects in which the Syrah grapes thrive. Dark fruit, pepper, and bay leaf on the nose. Full-bodied with flavors of black plum, blackberry and earthy notes. Firm tannins and a long finish. A superb example of a New World Rhone varietal.
Hertelendy Vineyards
Hertelendy Vineyards specializes in producing Bordeaux varieties from several different mountainous AVAs in Napa. The Hertelendy family is proud of their Old World winemaking connection through their uncle, Gabor Hertelendy, who owned a wine estate in Hungary until the Communist takeover in the 1940s. Some of the family emigrated to the United States and in 2013, Ralph Hertelendy founded Hertelendy Vineyards.
- 2018 Signature Mountain Blend. A Bordeaux-style blend featuring 60% Merlot, this wine is Hertelendy’s closest expression of an estate wine, crafted primarily from their premium Rockwell Ridge vineyard. Ripe red and dark fruits, vanilla, tobacco, and loamy notes on the nose with flavors of black cherry, mocha, and graphite. Long finish that adds to the balance and complexity.
Julien Fayard
Talented winemaker Julien Fayard brings French finesse, from his family’s experience in the wine business when he was a child, followed by his education and work in Provence and the Loire Valley, to the terroir-driven wines of California. Fayard sources grapes from various AVAs in Napa and Sonoma and strives to create wines that are vineyard-centric, putting more focus on the decisions made ahead of what happens in the cellar.
- 2021 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa. Grapes harvested from multiple Napa Valley hillside vineyards spanning north to south. Dark fruit, tobacco, and graphite on the nose. Flavors of dark plum, licorice, and cola. Firm tannins built for aging.
Kris Todd Vineyards
Wine lovers Kris and Tod Ratfield often visited Napa Valley and became enamored with the natural beauty and vineyards of Howell Mountain. In 2011 they purchased 5 acres of land high on the slopes of Howell Mountain that had never been planted with grapes. They planted three acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and a few hundred vines of Cabernet Franc. Currently, Kris Todd is a small production winery specializing in Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc blends.
- 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain from Kris Todd. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in new French oak. Aromas of dark berries, bell pepper, and eucalyptus. Blackberry, plum, black cherry, and cocoa on the palate. Velvety tannins and a long, smooth finish. Good aging potential.
Moone-Tsai
Moone-Tsai Wine’s MaryAnn and Larry Tsai created their label in 2003 with the mission of making remarkable wines from the finest vineyards in Napa. They have achieved their goal by focusing on distinctive, limited production of Cabernets, Chardonnays, and Bordeaux blends. They have made Howell Mountain their home with their winery and tasting room located in nearby St. Helena. Grapes are sourced from coveted parcels such as Oakville’s To Kalon, Pritchard Hill, and Caldwell Vineyards Block 15 in Coombsville.
- 2019 Cor Leonis Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa from Moone-Tsai. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is bold and fruit-forward with aromas of dark fruits, cassis, cedar, and lilac. Full-bodied and silky on the palate with flavors of ripe blackberry, boysenberry, and cola. Long, earthy finish with fine-grained tannins. Richly expressive with perfectly balanced structure. Wow.
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