Image Source:
Porte De Garage Home Depot
Photo: Dylan Entelis, The Chronicle
Image Source:
Image 1 of 5
At Judd's Hill in Napa, a alternative of their custom-crush wine is apparent in the winery's tasting room, in Napa, Calif., on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011.
At Judd's Hill in Napa, a alternative of their custom-crush wine is apparent in the winery's tasting room, in Napa, Calif., on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011.
Image 2 of 5
Mike Mitchell, the tasting allowance lead, at Judd's Hill winery in Napa in Calistoga, Calif., on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011.
Mike Mitchell, the tasting allowance lead, at Judd's Hill winery in Napa in Calistoga, Calif., on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011.
Image 3 of 5
Image Source:
Claypool Cellars is a adapted berth that sit central the Sebastopol's Depot Station, Thursday January 5, 2012 in Sebastopol, Calif.
Claypool Cellars is a adapted berth that sit central the Sebastopol's Depot Station, Thursday January 5, 2012 in Sebastopol, Calif.
Image 4 of 5
Chaney Claypool , appropriate says goodbye to a barter afterwards a tasting in the adapted berth at Claypool Cellars in Sebastopol’s Depot Station, Thursday January 5, 2012 in Sebastopol, Calif.
Chaney Claypool , appropriate says goodbye to a barter afterwards a tasting in the adapted berth at Claypool Cellars in Sebastopol’s Depot Station, Thursday January 5, 2012 in Sebastopol, Calif.
Image 5 of 5
Customers adore tastings of Claypool's Pinot Noir in the adapted berth at Claypool Cellars in Sebastopol’s Depot Station, Thursday January 5, 2012 in Sebastopol, Calif.
Image Source:
Customers adore tastings of Claypool's Pinot Noir in the adapted berth at Claypool Cellars in Sebastopol’s Depot Station, Thursday January 5, 2012 in Sebastopol, Calif.
Judd's Hill: Try their wine, or alloy your own
1 / 5
Back to Gallery
Visitors to Judd's Hill may admiration why there are Hawaiian backdrop like approach copse and tikis in the butt allowance of the Napa Valley winery. Or why winemaker Judd Finkelstein is sometimes seen, and heard, aimless the acreage strumming a ukulele while singing archetypal Hawaiian songs.
Finkelstein, the son of the winery founders Art and Bunnie Finkelstein, leads a bounded bandage alleged the Maikai Gents Featuring the Mysterious Miss Mauna Loa. The self-described Hawaiian nut (he's not Hawaiian, he aloof loves the islands) performs at gigs beyond California, including at Napa's Oxbow Public Market.
On a contempo visit, I was additionally greeted by Jay Brewner, a.k.a. the winery's Director of Fabulosity, antic absolutely aces cigarette jeans, a blatant belt with a huge rhinestone catch in the appearance of a pistol and a shirt with argent brilliant appliques that would be de rigueur for a Las Vegas lounge act.
Image Source:
The vibe: Think these guys are all about cool fun? Once we beyond the attenuated arch from the alley to the 14-acre hillside estate, there's no blatant date act for the tasting, aloof airy acceptable times. The backward Art Finkelstein was a Los Angeles artist afore axis winery owner, and his appearance resonates in the building's entry, capped by a curved, open-rib porte-cochere abutting to patio seating. There are chickens clucking in a adorned Finkelstein-designed accommodation and a baby garden for melancholia edibles.
The experience: You charge to accomplish an appointment, because tastings are affectionate affairs. Plan on an hour for your $10 investment, including added pours of winery-only releases and a abbreviate bout of the assembly area. The affection is ultra-friendly and abundant for bodies absent to apperceive abundant ins and outs of winemaking. Less acceptable is back the sales angle comes forth to acquirement wines or accompany the wine club.
The team: In the 1970s, Art Finkelstein began authoritative wine in his barn as a hobby. In 1979, he purchased a acreage south of St. Helena, area he advised and congenital Whitehall Lane Winery. Afterwards affairs Whitehall in 1988, he advised and congenital Judd's Hill. Judd Finkelstein now runs the winery and winemaking alongside co-winemaker Kenn Vigoda, while Bunnie Finkelstein handles hospitality.
The wines: With about 3,000 cases produced annually, Judd's is best accepted for its estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. We got to aftertaste a Napa Valley Cabernet ($45) and the Pinot ($34), additional added selections like a Sauvignon Blanc ($24) sourced from Calistoga and Rutherford, a Cabernet-Merlot Rosé ($22), and a Lodi Zinfandel ($30). Judd's additionally makes Cabernet from altered backdrop ($55-$75), additional a Central Coast Pinot Noir ($26), and a Lodi Petite Sirah ($30).
The extras: Bottle Aggregate Day Camp may be a bit pricey, but it's a agitating acquaintance for wannabe winemakers. Guests are guided through a daylong tasting, apprenticeship and aggregate affair to actualize their own claimed Bordeaux-style wine from four butt samples. The after-effects are hand-bottled and custom labeled for take-home enjoyment. Cost is $225 for three accomplished bottles, $395 for six bottles, and $695 for 12 bottles. Entertainment from Judd Finkelstein and the aces Brewner is free.
Nearby: Luna Vineyards, 2921 Silverado Trail, Napa., (707) 255-5862, lunavineyards.com; Beaucanon Estate, 1006 Monticello Road, Napa, (707) 254-1460, beaucanonestate.com; HDV Wines, 588 Trancas St., Napa, (707) 251-9121, hdvwines.com.
If you go: Judd's Hill Winery, 2332 Silverado Trail, Napa, (707) 255-2332, juddshill.com. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. circadian by arrangement only.
Image Source:
Rating: Rating: TWO AND A HALF STARS
Image Source:
Image Source:
Image Source:
Image Source:
Image Source:
Image Source: