Heading To Napa? Make Conn Creek Your First Stop

Napa Valley is a premier wine destination. And in Napa, Cabernet Sauvignon is king. But with sixteen American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), all with distinct attributes, it is hard to grasp the complexities of Napa Valley. What better way to understand Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon then to make your own bottle?

I recently participated in the Conn Creek Barrel Blending Experience to learn about the complexities of Napa Valley by blending my own bottle of wine. As Elizabeth DeLouise-Gant, Conn Creek Winemaker explains Conn Creek offers this experience, "to give guests a hands-on exploration into the characteristics of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and what makes this region so unique."

Can you taste the difference between a Rutherford Cabernet and a Stag's Leap District Cabernet? Do you understand why these two Cabernet Sauvignons taste different? The Barrel Blending Experience explains that Napa Valley contains about half of the world's soil types, but, according to DeLouise-Gant, "in an area 1/6th the size of Bordeaux." She tells me the purpose of the Barrel Blending Experience is "to showcase these differences and how they're expressed in the wine."

The Barrel Blending Experience begins with a tasting of single vineyard Cabernets from vineyard sites throughout Napa Valley, which have been organized by taste profile – soft, supple, complex, rich, and bold. Currently, Conn Creek has single vineyard wines from fourteen of Napa's sixteen appellations. DeLouise-Gant says, "We've found that organizing the wines this way gives our guests a chance to really see the way soil, climate, elevation, and aspect are reflected in the wine when they have the chance to taste them side-by-side."

I appreciate the way the Barrel Blending Experience was organized. As I tasted through the styles I picked up on the differences in flavors, texture, body, and tannins contributed by the AVAs. My palate tends to gravitate toward wines on the "soft" and "supple" end of the spectrum. To my surprise, through blending and tasting I preferred the "rich" and "bold" Cabernets. Ultimately I ended up with a blend of all four to achieve the balance of finesse and strength I wanted.

Once my Cabernet blend was to my liking it was time to add additional Bordeaux varietals for complexity. I chose to add a small amount of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot to round out the wine, giving it balance, length and structure. However, since the blending experience is fully customizable adding additional varieties is optional.

"Everyone has the opportunity to create their own custom bottle from the vineyards that express the taste profile that resonated the most for each person." ~ Elizabeth DeLouise-Gant, Conn Creek Winemaker

Once my blend was complete, I dusted off my artist skills and created my own label, then corked the wine myself. The experience was a blast. It was a fun way to learn about the complexities of Napa Valley AVAs. Upon opening the bottle at home a few weeks later not only did I fondly recall the experience but since I made the wine to my taste it was outstanding.

The Conn Creek Barrel Blending Experience is a great way to begin your Napa Valley wine adventure. I agree with DeLouise-Gant when she says, "It is a great way... to learn what you like and why right from the start. It's a much more memorable experience this way." It was certainly memorable for me.

The Conn Creek Barrel Blending Experience is $125/per person and available by reservation at 10:30am and 2:00pm everyday but Wednesdays. To request a reservation email info@conncreek.com. Visit the Conn Creek web site to learn more.