At this point, it’s probably no secret that I like wine. Quite a bit!
I’ve written about my experiences participating in guided wine tastings across California (in places like Sonoma, the Santa Cruz Mountains, and San Luis Obispo) as well as destinations like Texas and Croatia.
But until recently, there was one experience I had never even considered adding to my bucket list: a fully private wine tasting.
That all changed last month, when some of our friends who are VERY into wine (as in, 300+ bottles stored in their apartment) invited us to tag along for an overnight trip to Napa, where they would be participating in private wine tastings at a few of their favorite upscale vineyards.
Truth be told? My mind was blown that this was even an option.
Until recently, my wine tasting experience was limited to shuffling up to a counter in a public tasting room, and sipping wines while standing next to multiple other groups participating in their own tastings. And honestly, I still love that type of experience!
But there’s no denying that enjoying my first private wine tasting in Napa Valley skyrocketed my expectations to a whole new level.
Why Book a Private Wine Tasting in Napa?
Picture this: You’re driving through the lush landscapes of Napa Valley, and arrive at a gorgeous vineyard with the gates closed.
You pull up next to the speaker and say, “We’re here for the tasting at 11:00am.” The gates open, so you continue up the driveway, park your car, hop out, and approach the tasting room.
There, a chilled glass of sparkling wine is already waiting for you. The sommelier shakes your hand and greets you by name; there are only four of you visiting the tasting room at this time, after all.
You’re led into the barrel room where a table is set and the wines are already poured, along with a small selection of gourmet cheeses and chocolates. The tasting is leisurely and personalized; you’re free to ask as many questions as you’d like, and revisit your favorite wines from the tasting at any time.
The sommelier is right there at the table with you, sharing stories and wisdom and laughter as you sip fine wines with good friends and soak in the beautiful ambience of Napa Valley.
To sum it all up? Participating in a private guided wine tasting in Napa is a highly intimate, unique, and unforgettable experience.
Despite having enjoyed countless tastings over the years, I still feel that my wine knowledge is very limited. But having the opportunity to spend a few one-on-one hours with some of Napa’s most knowledgeable wine experts definitely helped me take my appreciation for wine to a higher level.
Theorem Vineyards
Nestled on the northern slopes of Diamond Mountain in Calistoga—a small, pleasant town famous for its mud baths and hot springs—is one of Napa Valley’s most up-and-coming wineries: Theorem Vineyards.
The vineyard was originally planted during the 1980s, but the current owners purchased the land and finished construction of the winery in late 2018. They lovingly restored the Victorian-era home, barn and schoolhouse, while incorporating modern design elements.
As for the finished product? Theorem’s tasting room is beautifully designed; despite being small in size, it’s airy and inviting, and strikes the perfect balance of “hip” and “historic.”
The vineyard as a whole has some of the most gorgeous views I’ve seen in all of Napa…and that’s saying something! But considering that the property is located roughly 1,100 feet above sea level, I suppose it is to be expected that panoramic views of vineyards, redwoods, and mountain peaks would be the norm.
Upon our arrival to Theorem, we were greeted by Isaac, the VP of Sales and Marketing…with fresh pours of champagne, no less!
Speaking of, Isaac was absolutely incredible and a BIG part of what made our experience at Theorem so special; he made us feel like we were longtime friends or family members coming back for a visit to the property, despite never having visited before.
He was insanely knowledgeable, personable, and (most notably) passionate about Theorem and its wines, which really took our experience to the next level.
The tasting itself was held in the barrel room, and it was easily one of the most enchanting tastings I’ve ever experienced.
Stepping into the barrel room and seeing our private table for four set up near the window—with a rainbow lurking amidst the lush mountain scenery, no less!—was such a beautifully surreal moment.
Our tasting included 3 Cabernet Sauvignons, paired with 3 cheeses and a nutty chocolate crisp. Isaac was seated at the table with us and shared tidbits of knowledge as we sipped and chatted.
It was such an intimate and personalized experience; a far cry from the busy tastings rooms that churn through hundreds of visitors per day.
After making our way through the tasting, we were invited to “revisit” any varietals that struck our fancy; i.e. it was time to keep the party going and have another glass of wine! 😉
Interested in paying a visit to Theorem Vineyards? Isaac shared with us that the winery can accommodate up to 17 guests per day, and visitors MUST make an appointment in advance. You can set up your appointment by reaching out at info@theoremvineyards.com.
Melka Estates
Despite the fact that Theorem Vineyards completely blew my expectations out of the water, our next winery of the day—Melka Estates—was no less impressive.
Upon arrival to the property, we were immediately greeted by Sylvie, Melka’s Brand Manager and Director of Sales. To give you an idea of the level of customer experience you can expect at Melka: within moments of stepping out of the car, Sylvie noticed that I was a bit chilly and offered me a cozy, plush coat as she ushered us into the tasting room.
When was the last time you received THAT level of attention and care during a wine tasting?
Naturally, the tasting itself was phenomenal. When we stepped into the tasting room, we found that our table was already prepped and waiting with one white wine, three red wines, and two utterly delectable chocolates. Mmmmm.
It was clear that Sylvie was incredibly passionate about wine, but she was also simply a lovely person to sit and chat with. I could have wasted away an entire day sipping high quality reds and hearing stories about Sylvie’s journey in the world of wine.
The best part? Our tasting lacked any hint of pretentiousness, despite being incredibly personalized and intimate. Sylvie was eager to share her love of wine and ensure that ALL of us seated at that table – even those with a novice understanding of wine – had a memorable and perfectly tailored wine tasting experience.
Interested in visiting Melka Estates? The winery conducts tastings by appointments only; to set up an appointment, you can reach out to Sylvie at 707-963-6008 or Sylvie@melkaestates.com.
Would you ever book a private wine tasting in Napa Valley? What’s the most memorable wine tasting you have ever participated in, or the best wine region you have visited? I’m always looking for new wine destinations to add to my bucket list! 😉
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