As a Northern California Wine Country resident, I’ve spent more than one afternoon exploring the wineries in Napa Valley. With 15 subappellations and approximately 400 wineries, Napa Valley proprietors and winemakers have earned a global reputation for world-class wines.
One of the easiest, most enjoyable ways to sample Napa Valley wines from wineries in a single appellation is to make sure you don’t miss this year’s Rutherford Appellation Wineries Passport Weekend. On Saturday, December 4th and Sunday, December 5th, Passport ticket holders will be able to meet winemakers, experience barrel and tank tastings, food and wine pairings, entertainment, special discounts, and more.
Although the Rutherford appellation is most well-known for Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Zinfandel; visitors will find more delicious varietals to taste. Proceeds from Passport Weekend will benefit a Napa Valley charity.
This year, 17 Rutherford wineries will participate in Passport Weekend. Click here to view the full list of participating wineries. The list includes Alpha Omega, Hall Winery, Mumm Napa Valley, Peju Province Winery, and Rubicon Estate.
Alpha Omega, a boutique winery earning awards for its impressive wines, will be sharing barrel tastings of its flagship ERA 2008 wine. Visitors to Alpha Omega should take the opportunity to purchase futures of this outstanding flagship wine at the special Passport Weekend discounted price. Alpha Omega will also be offering a southern style Brunswick stew paired with Alpha Omega Chardonnay Unoaked 2009.
Passport ticket holders interested in tasting both a white and red varietal created by Hall Winery are invited to Rutherford Grange for a tasting of Hall Winery 2009 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc and Hall Winery 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet. The outstanding Napa Valley Cabernet received 94 points from Wine Spectator. Hall Winery will be serving Cannellini bean soup with a tasty twist – pumpernickel croutons and sun chokes.
Mumm Napa Valley will also be offering Passport guests a specially made soup to pair with their award-winning sparkling wines. The chanterelle, hazelnut soup is certain to be perfect with Mumm Napa Valley 2001 DVX. Guests will also taste Mumm Reserve Brut. Both sparkling wines will be available for purchase at a discounted rate available to Passport Guests.
The Tower at Peju Province Winery
Peju Province Winery will be serving Wild Boar Chili paired with their current 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and a future sampling of the Cabernet Sauvignon straight from the barrel. Peju’s chef will also prepare a White Bean Chowder paired with a Peju Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc.
Francis Ford Coppola's Rubicon Estate
Francis Ford Coppola’s Rubicon Estate invites visitors to a barrel tasting of CASK Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 CASK Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 Captain’s Reserve Pinot Noir, and 2007 Captain’s Reserve Zinfandel.
The Rutherford appellation’s fun, friendly hospitality, award-winning wines, and sumptuous local cuisine are all available to Rutherford Appellation Wineries Passport Weekend ticket holders! Make your visit to this beautiful Napa Valley appellation safe and unforgettable by contacting Napa Wine Tours for your private, chauffeured transportation.
