Part of a Chardonnay Winery Series
Details:
Address: 1581 Sage Canyon Rd, St Helena, CA 94574
Phone: (707) 286-4219
Website: www.chappellet.com
Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Daily
Tours/Tastings Offered:
Chappellet offers several different tastings (including a virtual tour). Prices range from $85.00 to $250.00. We particularly enjoyed the signature Cabernet Retrospective (Chardonnay wine, too!), which includes a cheese pairing.
What's Their Story:
Pritchard Hill in Napa is a pretty spectacular place for sweeping vistas. Donn and Molly Chappellet fell in love with the area, and following the advice of famed winemaker André Tchelistcheff, they founded Chappellet Winery in 1967.
Chappellet Winery was one of the first wineries on Pritchard Hill. It helped establish its reputation for producing phenomenal Cabernet Sauvignon (more about why a predominately Cabernet Sauvignon winery is included in a series about Chardonnay wineries).
Chappellet Winery has remained a family affair, with the second generation of Chappellets firmly at the helm of day-to-day operations.
Why The Winery Made The Grade: Chardonnay
The drive alone to Chappellet Winery is worth a trip. One of the most gorgeous areas of Napa, visitors will appreciate the sweeping views.
While it's true that Chappellet Winery is known for its outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon wines, their Chardonnay wines have gained critical acclaim, routinely earning high scores from Wine Spectator and other wine authorities. In 2019, the winery added cool-climate Chardonnays to its portfolio, and we were lucky enough to sample a wine from this collection from Sangiacomo Vineyard. Memorable with creamy bright notes amidst citrusy and stone fruit elements. notes,
Ambiance:
As great as the wine is, the actual winery structure is even better! Reminiscent of a chalet, the winery is tucked into the hillside, again showcasing those panoramic views. The interior is understated luxury. Tastings are curated by extremely professional staff with inside knowledge of Napa Valley.
Which Winery Visitor Type Would Love It:
Pretty much all types of visitors would enjoy spending time at this winery. Authenticity seekers primarily for the in-depth tour visitors receive; the winery's charm will enchant Luxury Seekers; Oenophiles will appreciate the stellar wines and Casual Wine Drinkers because, despite its ritzy surroundings, Chappellet offers non-stuffy fun.
Check out the next winery guide in the Chardonnay Series: Cuvaison or read all of the Chardonnay blogs in our new guide, Chardonnay Wineries of Sonoma and Napa.
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