Premier Week in Napa: Confidence, Character, and a Whole Lot of Green
We landed early: caffeinated and on a mission.
Premier week in Napa Valley is not a casual affair. Sunrise departure out of LAX, a Sacramento pickup, a quick team rendezvous—and suddenly we were off to two tightly packed days of tastings, sub-appellation deep dives, and enough Cabernet to recalibrate the palate for weeks.
Technically, it was 90% work. But in Napa, even the work feels like a privilege.
Starting High: Mayacamas
We began with a private visit to Mayacamas Vineyards, perched high above the valley floor and still a benchmark for structure and longevity.
The 2023 Merlot was one of my “Wines of the Trip”: focused, energetic, and beautifully framed. A reminder that Napa Merlot, when taken seriously, delivers precision over plushness.
Place, Personality & Wagyu Before Noon
Thursday continued to unfold as a study in sub-appellations.
Chappallet set the bar early. We walked in and boom! Wagyu tartar. Followed by venison cappuccino. Elevated, thoughtful, and theatrical without feeling over the top. It was a vivid reminder that Napa’s hospitality can be as creative as the wines themselves.
Later, at a “House of Cab” tasting, classic rock spun from a DJ while structured Cabernets filled the glasses. Serious wine, relaxed energy. Think Napa showing its confidence, not self-seriousness.
The Courtesan Women Winemakers tasting brought a different kind of elegance. Polished, open, and impeccably organized, the space and the wines carried a distinct sense of intentionality—a definite ladies’ touch.
Finally, a Coombsville tasting in a historic Victorian home offered intimate charm. Tasting stations scattered throughout the rooms encouraged exploration and conversation. Moving from space to space, glass in hand, felt less like an event and more like being invited into someone’s home. It was curated, welcoming, and full of personality.
Different styles, different vibes, but the same through line: Napa expresses itself not just through vineyards, but through creativity, space, and energy.
Behind the Bottle
One of the most fascinating stops wasn’t a vineyard at all; it was the MCC label facility.
Watching the design, printing, and finishing processes up close was mesmerizing. Every color, texture, and detail carefully was executed before even reaching a bottle. It felt like stepping inside of a live episode of “How it’s Made” but with a Napa twist.
Seeing this behind-the-scenes layer was a reminder that Napa’s reputation isn’t just built in the vineyard or cellar. Presentation, attention to detail, and operational excellence all contribute to the wines arriving at restaurants, tasting rooms, or even a K&L shelf looking flawless.
Rutherford & Trailblazers: Greer and Spottswoode
Our visit to Greer in Rutherford was one of the trip’s standout experiences. The property exudes understated elegance, and the hospitality matched it perfectly: it was generous, thoughtful, and grounded, never performative. Every pour felt personal, as if we were being invited into the philosophy of the vineyard itself.
The 2017 Greer Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon (Winery Direct Library Release) $199.95 (Elsewhere $250) is a wine that will linger in my memory indefinitely: criminally underrated, structured, layered, nuanced, with a tension that rewards patience. It’s not flashy or showy. It converses with you, rather than shouting. Visits like this remind me why Napa’s best Cabernets are more than power plays; they’re reflections of site, care, and craft.
Equally memorable was the Spottswoode Estate Vineyard. The property is intimate–smaller than many might expect–but every inch is deliberate. Spottswoode is a trailblazer in organic stewardship, and tasting there made it clear how much thought goes into both the vineyard and the wine. Their focus on balance, sustainability, and expression of place translates directly into wines with energy, tension, and lush fruit. Walking the estate and sampling their lineup felt like a masterclass in how purpose-driven viticulture shapes personality in the glass.
Together, these two visits exemplified what makes Napa more than a collection of famous names. Greer and Spottswoode showcase the region’s ability to combine elegance, rigor, and individuality into wines that impress. Their properties are inspirationa, offering experiences that stay with you long after you go home.
The Takeaway
This trip shifted my perspective of the region in a big way. Napa is far more stylistically diverse–and far more restrained–than its reputation suggests. Cabernet Sauvignon still remains king, other varietals impressed me just as much: the elegance of Cabernet Franc, the balance and depth of Merlot, the clarity and tension of Chardonnay, and the fresh vibrancy of Sauvignon Blanc. The 2023s are showing beautifully, particularly in the $50-$150 range, and the producers are clearly dialed in.
Perhaps most striking of all: Napa was the greenest I’ve ever seen it. Lush. Vibrant. Alive.
Premier week can be exhausting with its tight schedules, palate fatigue, and early flights. But, it’s also a reminder that Napa isn’t static. It’s evolving. Refining. Confident.
And right now, it looks very, very good.