Visit the Home of Two Californian Icons

Sequoia Grove Winery

It’s a whirlwind time in the world, and wine expert Gosia Young is looking for the perfect spot to unwind and sip on something refreshing. What better place to start than the official winner of ‘Best Tasting Room in Napa Valley’ for 2020 and 2021? Check out her file on why Sequoia Grove Winery should be your first stop in Wine Country.

Visit Sequoia Grove Winery:

Taste of Cabernet Reservations are essential and available Wednesday – Sunday at the following times:10:30 am, 10:45 am, 11:00 am, 2:00 pm, 2:15 pm, 2:30 pm.Non-Member: $125 Per Person | Club Member: $100 Per Person BOOK NOW

Patio Tastings Reservations required. Limit 6 per party. Tastings offered Wednesday - Monday (closed Tuesdays) at the following times:10:00 AM-5:00 PM (last tasting appointment of the day starting at 3:30 PM) Note: The Patio Bites Menu is only offered Wednesday – Sunday.Current Tasting: $40 Per Person | Single Vineyard Tasting: $50 Per Person BOOK NOW

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With over 400 wineries situated in a 30-mile-long region, let’s be honest: it’s hard to stand out in Napa Valley. So as a fellow wine lover, I’m sure your ears will perk up when you hear that Sequoia Grove Winery has been titled ‘The Best Tasting Room in Napa Valley’ for not just one but TWO consecutive years (2020 + 2021). Clearly, they’re doing something right, so I went on a hunt to discover more, and let me start by saying this: if you’re planning an upcoming trip to wine country, here’s why Sequoia Grove should be high on your list.

Home to Two Californian Icons

Escape the city and head into the heart of Napa Valley to experience another world. Rutherford is about an hour from major cities like San Francisco, Oakland, and Sacramento. As you turn off the busy St. Helena Highway into a quiet driveway framed by arched branches and sun-speckled vineyard slopes, you will soon come upon a unique confluence of two Californian icons: Sequoia coastal redwood trees towering above a historic winery. Welcome to Sequoia Grove.

For first-time visitors, the sight of a 200-feet high coastal redwood tree is a sight to behold, especially as Sequoia Sempervirens only grow in a very narrow corridor parallel to the Pacific coast. First planted in 1910, a circular grove (or ‘fairy ring’) of Sequoia trees has become an emblem of the winery, symbolizing how the team is always reaching for new heights. The endangered Sequoia tree is proudly featured on every bottle label, and all the wines have an equally commanding presence, require patience, and are crafted to stand the test of time.

Nestled under the dappled lights of these behemoth trees is the second Napa icon: the winery. Today a bustling tasting room, the winery was once a humble barn, built by Louis Kuebeler over a century ago in 1908. Over the decades, the barn has undergone several transformations. At first, it was home to livestock, including some 700 egg-producing White Leghorn hens. Then in 1979, the barn’s vinous destiny was fulfilled when it was renovated into a fully-functioning winery and barrel storage. By 1988, as operations outgrew the space, the barn was reimagined yet again into a tasting room. In 2018, the tasting room enjoyed its second remodeling in a decade. Today, the Sequoia Grove tasting room continues to balance the barn’s architectural heritage with an upscale hospitality venue for visitors from near and far to enjoy.

Championing Cabernet Sauvignon

For over 40 years, Sequoia Grove Winery has been producing top-quality wine in Rutherford. Celebrated for its warm days and cool nights, the Rutherford AVA is ideal for growing the best Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Undoubtedly, the secret to the region lies in the superior soils. Known as the elusive ‘Rutherford dust effect,’ experts explain that Rutherford’s deep soils and unique microclimates help soften tannins. The end result is an iconic cocoa powder finish on wines - particularly in Cabernet Sauvignon.

In celebration of this distinct terroir, Sequoia Grove champions Bordeaux-style varietals, producing eight elevated expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon. Whether you’re a wine newcomer or expert on Cabernet Sauvignon (or wine!), you can take your pick from the selection of curated tastings offered under the shade of the Sequoias or in the elegant Cambium room.

From Patio to Premium Tastings

As the name suggests, the Patio Tastings are laid-back and take place on the outdoor patio. Here, you can sink into the comfy sofas as you take in the scenery. Take your pick from two tastings: Current Release and Single Vineyard. The best part is that from Wednesday to Sunday, the patio tastings are offered alongside mouth-watering seasonal pairings freshly prepared by Winery Chef Britny Maureze.

According to her, each item is designed “to make you feel like you’re instantly on vacation.” While you can expect to see wine pairing classics such as gourmet cheese and mouth-watering charcuterie boards, there is a considerable menu to peruse. Look out for favorites like fried olives with roasted garlic aioli, warm bread with house-made butter, mushroom arancini, and Chef Britny’s chocolatey brownies. On weekends, the team fires up the ovens for some artisanal homemade sourdough pizzas to pair with your favorite wine selection. Yum!

For those seeking a more elevated experience, Sequoia Grove delivers in spades with their unequaled wine and food program called ‘A Taste for Cabernet.’ Seasonal and food-focused, this exceptional tasting is driven by a ‘wine-first’ pairing approach. This means that one starts with the wine and creates a meal to optimize both. Instead of reinforcing restrictive ‘rules’ such as “red wine, red meat,” Winery Chef Britny breaks convention to encourage a more holistic and heightened epicurean experience. This maxim begins with reimagining a Napa Valley stalwart, Cabernet Sauvignon. By adjusting the levels of salt, sweet, acid, and savory notes in a variety of dishes, Sequoia Grove provides a panoramic perspective of top-tier Single Vineyard and Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon wines paired with four culinary delights. The goal is to encourage mindful pairing and help you to feel confident to explore and experiment with wine and food pairing when you return home.

Is it Worth the Experience?

100% yes! The Sequoia Grove Tasting Room space is the perfect blend between nostalgic whimsy and modern furnishings and encourages you to relax and unwind in a welcoming, zero-snob environment. Each host is well-trained and friendly, ready to offer you a tasting according to your knowledge and needs. There are no ‘silly’ questions, and it is a judgment-free environment where pretense is left at the door.

Besides this, after your tasting, you are welcome to take a stroll on the estate to experience the grandeur of the 100-year-old Sequoias, which inspire the winery’s unwavering commitment to sustainability. Sequoia Grove is certified as a Napa Green Vineyard and Winery and for Fish Friendly Farming. A portion of sales is also donated to 1% For the Planet to preserve local habitat for the endangered coastal redwood trees. It’s an all-around feel-good experience and definitely one for the bucket list.

Bookings are essential, and you can make your reservation via the website: BOOK NOW

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