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Napa Valley » Cardinale Winery

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Cardinale Winery

7600 St Helena Hwy
Oakville, CA 94562
(707) 948-2643

Tasting:   Open Every Day 10:30 to 5:00 pm by appointment
$15 tasting fee
Tours:
  Tours by Appointment
Amenities:
  Hilltop lotcation
Price Range:   $120 per bottle
Established:   1998
VIP Tasting:   Yes
Winery Dog:   Akaela (German Shepherd)

Cardinale Winery Description

On the east side on Highway 12 in the Oakville district, you can spot this striking stone winery building perched on its own hill commanding a 360-degree view of Napa Valley. The ultra-exclusive operation is part of the Kendall-Jackson wine domain.

This one-of-a-kind winery makes just one wine — a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend. It is made by hand from distinct and diverse mountain and bench vineyards situated in the Mayacamas and Vaca mountain ranges. The winery produces around 1,000 cases a year from select lots of low-yielding vines. The wine is nurtured through careful mountain viticulture and innovative artisan methods.

During veraison -- the relatively short period during which the firm, green fruit begins to soften and change color -- some of the green clusters of grapes are removed from the vine, allowing the fruit with the most potential to mature. After veraison, a second thinning of remaining clusters further reduces the yield, ensuring that only the ripest and most flavorful grapes are used.

Once inside the winery, the grape clusters are sorted by hand and fermented in open-top fermentors that extract the subtleties of flavor from the skins. Pressing is done in traditional basket presses, with the young wine placed into 100 percent new, tightly grained, French-Chateau-style oak barrels for extensive aging.

At the tasting room the wines are paired with a truly world-class setting. Private tasting quarters are decorated with warm modern touches, and numerous windows frame the expansive views. Tile floors, fireplaces and a lovely patio welcome the visitor. Call for an appointment. The price for currently released wine is $120 per bottle.

Cardinale Winery Features

Ambiance Types of Wine Amenities
Resort Like
Hip & Stylish
Bordeaux
VIP Tasting

Cardinale Winery Reviews

Staff Knowledge & Friendliness
Amenities, Comfort & Cleanliness
Value
Wine Quality
Overall Impressions
Unprofessional
TylerBC05, San Rafael
April, 2008

The only thing positive I could say about this winery was that it was pretty. Unfortunately though, nothing positive could be said of the host. I showed up here on a rainy midweek day (Wednesday) and seemed to be the only car in the parking lot. I entered the tasting room, however, and was greeted by a rather unprofessional host. She insisted that since we didn't have an appointment, she would be unable to accommodate us. No "sorry's", no "We're really busy today but I can try to squeeze you guys in." None of that. Nowhere on the property or on the sign on Highway 29 did it mention "By appointment only." (I've stopped into "By Appointment Only" wineries before and have most always been allowed to taste). We were pretty much shooed out of the tasting room as if we were second class citizens. It's too bad that such a seemingly nice winery could have such a crummy host working for it. Will not return.

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Review Disclaimer

The above reviews are the subjective opinion of Winery Advisor members and not of Winery Advisor LLC.

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