Saddleback Cellars among the Napa Vines
The other day I was touring with a young couple and we visited Signorello, Plumpjack and Rubicon, but then we finished up the day at what turned out to be their favorite, Saddleback Cellars. This is a small winery just off the Oakville Cross Road located in a block building with a windowless, eccentric tasting room. But no one tastes inside when they can taste outside on the picnic tables within a couple of steps of the vines and their great views of the valley.
If you’ve been to Signorello, Plumpjack and Rubicon you know that they are very polished. Of the three Plumpjack is the most relaxed and yet that is owned by the very polished Plumpjack Group who owns the very swanky Carneros Inn and the spectacular Cade Winery up on Howell Mountain. So underneath Plumpjack’s woody exterior and intimate interior beats the heart of a world class winery.
Saddleback is popular because it is so different. On one side is the ‘Big Pink’ Groth, across the street is the new and expansive Silver Oak winery facility, around the corner is Rudd which just drips with money and the other way Opus One, of which the less said the better. And there sits Saddleback with its picnic tables, forklifts and old tractors, the old milk bottle carriers filled with today’s wine bottles, and a staff that looks dressed to top off barrels in between tastings. How could you not love them?
This is wine country at its most down home comfortable. Fortunately the wines, Cabs and Merlot and their friends fashioned by Nils Venge (well known throughout the valley) are excellent, so it’s just one more proof that a well plastered cornice doesn’t guarantee a good bottle of wine. While they are located at 7802 Money Road the easiest way to find them is look for the driveway for Silver Oak Winery on Oakville Crossroad, which stands all by itself in view well off the road, and Money road is directly opposite their very fancy entrance. Saddleback is a little ways down Money Road on the right hand side. You’ll see the end of the building and the picnic tables to the right of that. Not fancy but fun! Enjoy.
Ralph & Lahni de Amicis are authors of the Amicis Winery Guides (Find them on Amazon), and owners of Amicis Tours which does both group and private excursions. They are authors of over twenty books on health, design, business and travel. Their iPhone Apps, The Napa Valley Wine Tour, and The Sonoma Winery Tour are a tour guides approach to these beautiful area, complete with 1000’s of photos and insights. Their articles and products can be found on the sites http://www.amicistours.com and http://www.spaceandtime.com. Their Apps can be found at http://www.sutromedia.com/apps.html
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