We love bringing you our experiences from visiting Napa Valley wineries!
Last month we spent some fabulous days experiencing more wineries up and down Napa Valley. We had a marvelous time made up of some fun shopping, wonderful meals, and terrific wines at equally terrific wineries.
This trip we focused on experiencing wineries we hadn’t visited earlier. We’ll never be able visit all the wineries in the Valley (over 500) nor even a majority, but so far we’ve been able to spend time at 60 and plan to continue growing that in the future.
Our preference tends to lead us to smaller, family-owned, wineries and this past trip was no exception. Each of our stops offered us fabulous hospitality and exceptional wines. That said, each of our visits were unique in their atmosphere, staff, and more. So without further discussion here is another in our series of Napa Valley Winery visit reviews:
Teachworth Estate (Appointment required – a week in advance is requested)
Being partial to mountain fruit, we were understandably excited to head for the Diamond Mountain District AVA and experience the Teachworth Estate. The drive up is lovely and as we made our final turn into the parking area at their cave we were met by winemaker, Taylor Boydston, armed with a big smile and glass of perfectly chilled Chenin Blanc. We initially met at the winery and cave area.
It was interesting as Taylor pointed out the number on the first building was their bond number. After seeing the working area of the estate we drove higher up the property to the Teachworth estate home for our tasting. The views only got better and better and you can’t help but notice the variety of beautiful rock work throughout the grounds.
The Teachworth family began their journey on this land in 1991 and now Proprietor Chris Teachworth, the second generation, is operating the estate along with the help of winemaker, Taylor. Their inaugural vintage was in 2000 and they hold a library of very vintage they have produced.
The estate contains two distinct vineyards and their grapes are kept independent of each other as two Cabernet Sauvignons are made. These vineyards are their Rattlesnake Ridge and Manzanita Hill. They also produce an Estate Blend Cabernet. You can learn more about Teachworth wines by clicking here.
Once up at the estate house for our tasting we were treated to a number of delights. First were the tremendous views of the estate grounds and beyond, second were the many original pieces of glass work designed by Mrs. Teachworth in the estate house, and third was that not only would we be tasting the Teachworth wines, but also one of Taylor Boydston’s own wines, his T. Berkley label’s 2016 Leaning Oak Cabernet Franc.
The estate house beautifully located with commanding views of the surrounding vineyards and is a wonderful, natural wood structure complimented by gorgeous grounds!
We tasted the 2013 and 2014 Teachworth Rattlesnake Vineyard and Manzanita Hill Vineyard Cabs along with the same vintages of their Estate Blend Cab. As you would expect of mountain fruit, they were wonderfully full bodied and well-structured offerings! We lingered over these wines while listening to stories about the estate, their exciting plans for the future, and revisiting our favored sips.
It was a touch decision, but we chose to add bottles of the 2013 Rattlesnake Vineyard Cab, 2014 Estate Blend Cab, and the T. Berkley Cab Franc for our cellar. Taylor’s Cab Franc is a very nice wine, by the way!
This visit was wonderful! Our favorite aspects (beyond the wines) were the friendliness of winemaker, Taylor, Teachworth’s beautiful setting and Diamond Mountain District views, its casual and welcoming atmosphere, topped off with the feeling of simply being ‘at home’ with new friends while tasting in the estate house.
A definite winery to include in your next Napa Valley itinerary!