Reflections on Premiere Napa Valley by Hope and Carlo

SF staffer Hope Cooc’s take:

Premiere Napa Valley is an incredible annual event for wine lovers and connoisseurs. It is a unique opportunity to dive into the world of wine in Napa Valley, a region that is known for producing some of the finest wines in the world. I was fortunate enough to experience this amazing event, and it was truly an unforgettable experience.

To ease into our two-day trip for PNV, we started off at Hendry Winery. Owner and winemaker Mike Hendry greeted us at the entrance and got us to work right away. He taught us how to prune vines and identify Eutypa, a fungus that infects grape vines. We pruned at the perfect time because, just when we were finishing, the pouring rain caused us to retreat into the tasting room. From there Mike walked us through the facility and poured several of his delicious wines.  

After our pruning session with Mike Hendry, we arrived at our next stop, Brix restaurant. Renowned winemakers, buyers, and journalists came to sample some of the best wines that Napa Valley has to offer. I was immediately struck by the sight of the vast assortment of wines on offer, all laid out on the tables for tasting. There were over 100 unique bottlings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and other varieties from across the Napa Valley region. As I made my way around the room sampling various wines, I was struck by the passion and expertise of the winemakers. Each one was eager to share the unique aspects of their wines and the techniques they used to create them. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn about the distinctive styles of winemaking, the importance of terroir, and the art of oak aging. We ended up visiting multiple wineries for PNV and partied at Cliff Lede before our dinner at Sequoia Grove, with winemaker Jesse Fox.  

The next morning, we woke up to beautiful snowcapped mountains. Instead of diving right into a wine tasting at eight in the morning, we went on a tour to Seguin Moreau Cooperage. That was a site to see! We learned about the different char levels and were even able to stick our heads into a freshly toasted barrel where we got warming aromas of vanilla and spices. It was invigorating to watch the master cooper in this element—from changing out the hoops on the barrels to rolling the finished barrels over to the side to cool off.  

From there, we proceeded to Shafer Vineyard, where we were greeted by the crisp air from fresh, powdery snow and the iconic sheep at the vineyard. After Shafer we eased our way back to PNV and tasted wines at Quintessa, Spottswoode, Robert Mondavi, Stag’s Leap, and Trefethen, to name a few. Aside from the incredible selection of wines, the event was also an opportunity to connect with other wine enthusiasts, make new connections, and catch up with old friends. The atmosphere was friendly and relaxed, and everyone was there for the same reason: to celebrate and appreciate the amazing wines of Napa Valley.

My experience at Premiere Napa Valley was a truly unforgettable one. From the exceptional wines to the passionate winemakers and the camaraderie among the attendees, it was an event that truly celebrated all that makes Napa Valley wine so special. I would love to attend again in the future and continue to explore the world of wine in this amazing region.

 Hollywood staffer Carlo Delgado’s take:

My Premiere Napa Valley adventure started at the Oakland airport where I met with my colleagues Hope and Alex. It was my first time traveling to Napa Valley, and I was very excited when we saw historical landmarks like the Grape Crusher statue, the Welcome to Napa Valley sign, and the Napa Valley Wine Train. Driving along Route 29, we saw legendary wineries like Robert Mondavi, Opus One, Nickel & Nickel, Turnbull, and Peju.  

Our first visit was to Hendry Winery, and we spent a nice morning spent vines as the adorable winery dog ran freely along the vineyard. Mike Hendry, who manages the vineyard, showed us around the winery. His family has been growing grapes on the same family farm at the foot of Mt. Veeder since 1939! Mike prepared an incredible lineup, including a library bottle of 1995 Hendry Brandlin Vineyard Mount Veeder Zinfandel!  

Then we drove up Pritchard Hill to Chappellet, one of the coolest architectural designs I’ve ever seen for a winery. The winery layout is triangular, like Chappellet’s logo, with walls of oak barrels dividing each section, and the main office elevated right under the middle ceiling. There we were served endless truffle risotto, as well as wagyu beef to pair with Chapellett’s wonderful wines. After, we stopped by Hall where I was blown away by the wines of Lithology and Corison. Each winery clearly exhibited their own style—Lithology showcasing distinctive minerality and Corison showing impeccable balance. 

Next was “Open That Bottle” at Cliff Lede, a party with attendees each bringing a bottle of wine. Numerous bottles of amazing wines were opened, some of my favorites including: 1995 Prado Enea, 2004 Château de Beaucastel, and 1990 Mouton Rotschild, which happens to be my birthyear. In fact, Alex, Hope, and I each got to taste a First Growth Bordeaux from our respective birth years! Another highlight bottle of the party was the magnum of Domaine François Raveneau Petit Chablis that Joseph Phelps of Grounded Wines shared with us. 

Our last stop was a delightful dinner and tour of Sequoia Grove. Their wines showed delicious notes of dark fruits, baking spices, and plumpness on the palate—perfect to drink in their cozy winery while heavy rains poured outside. Resident chef Britny Maureze prepared a fantastic dinner that paired perfectly with Sequoia Grove’s lineup. We experienced top-notch hospitality from winemaker Jesse Fox and everyone at Sequoia Grove. 

The tour of Seguin Moreau Cooperage was a great way to start the day. A master cooper gave a step-by-step demonstration on how oak barrels were made. From cutting the wood, hammering the steel ring, to laser etching the Seguin Moreau Cooperage logo to the final barrel. My favorite part was comparing scents of various toast levels of barrels, then recalling the same aromas in wine and whiskey. It was a great learning experience that helped me gain a better understanding of the important role that oak barrels play in wine.  

Next was the winery I was most excited about: Shafer. I have been a fan of Shafer since I first tasted the One Point Five Cabernet. The scenery at Shafer was beautiful. It was a cloudy morning with the vines exceptionally green against the snowcapped mountains in the distance as the winery dog herded sheep. I realized how unique this trip was when Alex mentioned how rarely it snows in Napa—yet we were seeing fresh powder! Shafer’s tasting was exceptional. The 2019 Shafer "TD-9" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend showed great concentration, structure, and balance. I also learned that TD-9 was a reference to John Shafer’s first tractor. The 2018 Shafer "Relentless" Napa Valley Syrah showed powerful notes of black fruits and cracked pepper; a wine that will definitely improve with age. It was an awesome experience led by Shafer’s National Sales Director, Jake Watson.  

Then we visited Robert Mondavi Winery. We explored the iconic architecture, sipping on Robert Mondavi Cabernet as we walked around the vineyard and met Senior Winemaker Kurtis Ogasawara. After, we stopped by Trefethen, where we paired their refreshing 2021 Estate Riesling with oysters. It was an awesome first trip to Napa Valley and I learned plenty!