Day 2: You Can’t See it From Here

Premiere Napa Valley is one week a year when the valley’s best estates open their doors to buyers and trade insiders. This year, three members of the SaratogaWine.com team made the trip — a four-time veteran, a first-timer, and someone finally there in an official capacity. Read the full series.

It was my second day in the Napa Valley ever and I was thrilled to be there! After our first tasting appointment on Day 1 we went to a Premiere Napa Valley event and tasted dozens of wines. These events offer a brief glimpse of the new wines’ potential. But, just as importantly, you often meet owners and winemakers. Which for me is always a thrill. I had a lovely chat with Mike Grgich’s daughter mainly about classical music!

Day 2 was off to a fast start with a tasting appointment at 9 am(!) at Promontory. On another windy drive up a hillside we wondered if Promontory would be able to meet the majesty of Ovid… um yep!

At this appointment we were greeted by Kassandra. Kassandra upped the ante a little by pouring some 2015 Dom Pérignon as we walked into a patio that overlooked some vineyards. “Breakfast Dom, anyone?” Me and my two coworkers: “Absolutely!”

Just like at Ovid the views were spectacular, the story was scintillating and the wines were fantastic.

One of the highlights of the visit was a large topographical map carved to show the valley in which the Promontory vineyards all resided. It was quite the sight and site!

What was interesting is the winery was nowhere near the valley. It’s still very rugged out there with no direct access roads. So, literally, we could not see the vineyards from where we tried the wine.

However the vineyards we did see were just as legendary. Those were the vineyards of The Mascot, Futo and off in the distance some of Harlan.

Another breathtaking tour then ensued. The term “spared no expense” seemed almost an understatement. One of the outside patios had an old oak tree table placed before a large built-in fireplace. Which actually was needed as it was chilly up in those hills in the morning in February.

Live-edge wood table with flowers and fireplace at Promontory

From there a quick walk across a stunning courtyard led to the fermentation room. Standing like silent sentinels stood 30 huge vats, all waiting for the next harvest.

After that it was down to the barrel room where dozens of barrels of varied sizes all contained the bounty of the Promontory vineyards’ most recent vintages. We were offered a sample from the barrel through an attached spigot. Which I always enjoy.

Wine barrels in a dim cellar at Promentory

Then it was back up into a reception room with stunning views of the surrounding vineyards and much of the rest of the valley.

We were able to try three different vintages. Throughout the tour Kassandra explained how different the Promontory wines are due to its unique location and various soil types. I was skeptical at first. The wines from there tend to have some commonality. But upon tasting, even the younger wines showed a brightness and freshness that often takes at least five years or more to show up from wines from other locations. The tannins were present but not as searing as most young red wines from Napa. A pleasant surprise indeed.