Piña Napa Valley winery is one of those winery-insider secrets. Nestled along Napa’s Silverado Trail, with a rusted tractor marking its entrance, motorists speed by without a second glance at its unassuming and unpretentious façade. Big mistake. Those visitors pining for an “authentic” wine tasting experience are missing a big opportunity by not stopping in for Piña Napa Valley winery makes stellar Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
Long steeped in the winemaking industry, Piña Napa Valley was originally, and still is, a family-owned vineyard management company. Eight generations of Piñas have either made wine or tended vineyards. Piña Vineyard Management, with 56 clients with over 800 acres of vineyards, has overseen vineyards for numerous prestigious wineries such as Pahlmeyer, O’Shaughnessy, Gemstone, to name a few. The winery, founded in 1980 by John Piña Jr., is now run by a quartet of brothers. The brothers also run the management company.
The Piñas, along with winemaker, Anna Monticelli, produce single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon wine. Sourcing grapes from primarily five sites; Oakville, Atlas Peak, Rutherford, Yountville, and Howell Mountain, areas responsible for producing truly memorable Cabernet Sauvignon, The Piñas deliver truly deliciously delicious wine (this from a Pinot Noir devotee). I truly recommend their Buckeye Vineyard Howell Mountain (and I don’t often make recommendations in print); it was like drinking liquid silk.
We were in luck when we got to spend a truly delightful and informative morning with Larry Piña as our wine guide. Gracious and informative, Mr. Piña spent hours answering our questions and providing a glimpse of Napa Valley in the 60’s and 70’s. It was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.
So, looking for a respite from the statues, fountains, and other geegaws that seem to abound in Napa Valley wineries these days? Visit Piña Napa Valley winery, where it literally is all about the wine.
Piña Napa Valley winery is located at 8060 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558. Open Thursday through Monday, appointments are now required. Call 707-738-9328 or check out www.pinanapavalley.com for more details
