The first stop was the Chateau Montelena winery, located north of the town of Calistoga located on Tubbs Lane, ( named after its founder, Alfred Loving Tubbs). The estate constructed started in 1882. Web site: http://www.montelena.com/our_winery/history.html
Pictured above is the stone winery designed by Hamden McIntyre, who also designed the pre-1900 wineries of Inglenook (now known as Rubicon), Far Niente, Eschol (now known as Trefethen), Bourn & Wise (now occupied by the Culinary Institute of America), Adamson (now known as Frog's Leap), and Ewer & Atkinson winery (which is contained within the newer outside structure now know as Beaulieu Vineyards).
Alfred, along with his brother, Hiram were very wealthy owners of a cordage & chandelier company in the Potrero Point and Hill area of San Francisco, south of Market street and along the water front. They supplied ropes to sailing ships and to the gold mines of 49'er country. There is also a street named after them near the place where their office once stood.
Next stop was Sterling winery www.sterlingvineyards.com/ built back in the mid 1960'3, is accessible by tram. It is a self-guided tour facility. It was once owned by the Coca Cola Co. who sold it to Joseph E. Seagram & Sons, Inc. which in turn sold to its current owner, Diageo, of Great Britain.
They all then went on the self-guided tour of the facilities.
Before leaving I had to have them see the view looking down (south)the Napa Valley towards San Francisco Bay from the upper level deck
Everybody was getting hungry so off we went to V. Sattui winery ( www.vsattui.com/ ) and deli. Sattui is the only winery permitted to operate a co-located deli. Their wines are only available at the winery or through their web site.
The Napa Valley Wine Train going back down-valley from St. Helena to Napa while everybody is finishing up their lunch.
I wanted them to the spectacular view from the tasting room located at Silverado Vineyards which is owned by the heirs of Walt Disney.
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