Palisades Canyon is a veritable winemaking paradise. It’s a few hundred acres of vineyards, hugged into a mountainous pocket of Napa Valley’s Northern corridor. There are sheep, goats and even a llama that roam its rolling slopes, which feature organic vineyards that bloom with wild greens. The vines themselves are old and gnarled, planted 60 to 70 years ago and standing strong and sturdy like elder statesmen. The property dates back to the 1870s, when Scottish settler James Horn first planted vines. They bloomed and grew until the Barberis family, who emigrated from Italy, ushered the winery through prohibition.
More than a hundred years later, Palisades Canyon’s fourth-generation producer Graeme MacDonald and proprietors Felicia and Steve Woytak aren’t trying to reinvent the storied winery. They’re continuing the rich legacy of this unique and historic cove in Napa’s northern reaches. There’s Petite Sirah, once one of the valley’s most important grapes, along with Cabernet Sauvignon—we’re in Napa, after all. There’s also Chenin Blanc, a white grape famed for making some of the Loire’s most revered wines. It shines just as brightly in Napa—rich and nuanced, with a glittering acidity (for a slight Burgundian swagger) and notes of chamomile, lime leaf, and quince. The 2021 vintage sold out in two minutes—for good reason. $75
Kate Dingwall is a sommelier and wine writer. Her work frequently appears in Wine Enthusiast, Eater, Forbes.com, and Food & Wine, and she pours wine at one of Canada’s top restaurants.
Related Posts:
Homes are beginning to take shape 3 months after Palisades fire News Amid the bustle of excavators, workers in neon vests driving trucks and debris being hauled away, one cleared parcel of land in the Pacific Palisades is marking a new step in the area’s post-fire recovery. Alessandra and Walter Lopes’ home is one of the first to begin rebuilding, just three…
‘Bob the Minke Whale’ found dead after week in California harbor News A minke whale that had been swimming in Long Beach’s Rainbow Harbor for most of the past week was found dead Sunday morning, April 6. Officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are examining the whale’s body for any potential injuries or illnesses, said spokesperson Michael Milstein. They’ll also…
Full list of tax changes coming into effect from this week News Most tax reforms came in on Sunday (Picture: Metro.co.uk) The beginning of April brings a new financial year and important changes to the taxes we have to pay. Most tax reforms came in on Sunday (April 6), the start of the new tax year, although a number kicked in earlier…
Map shows warmest spots in UK this week when Easter holidays kick off News Temperatures will be lower than last weekend but the air will feel warmer, the Met Office says (Picture: Shutterstock) Widespread sunshine will continue this week while above-average temperatures are likely to feel warmer and warmer, forecasters say. Last weekend saw the warmest temperatures since the end of last summer, with…
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok
