Be One of the Family
Ochs, Savoy
I first enjoyed August Briggs wines back home in Illinois, and I loved them so much, that I actually sought out this winery when I was in Napa. August Briggs produces just under 5000 cases. The tasting room is small, as you'd expect from a small family-owned boutique winery, and the tastings are packed full of fun. Joe Briggs (the winemaker/owner), has his parents running the tasting room, and they treat you like one of their family. In fact, they actually seemed to remember us from one year to the next. There are so many good wines here, you will want to buy a mixed case. I brought home Chardonnay, Syrah, and 2 different Petite Sirahs. Plus their bottles, when emptied, are ones you will want to keep as flower vases, they’re that pretty. They make a wide selection of grape varietals which all sell out quickly, thus you can visit 3 months apart and taste different wines. If you're lucky, you can get Bob Briggs (Joe's dad) to take you into the barrel room to try unrefined wines straight out of the barrel. You’ll be amazed to compare that to the finished product, and wonder how the winemaker knew what to do with it.