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Hess Collection Winery | Chateau Potelle | Mount Veeder
Based wine country getaway on our October 21, 2004
If you want to get off the beaten path try this getaway to two
great wineries in Napa Valley’s Mount Veeder wine appellation.
Mount Veeder is part of the Mayacamas Mountains, the mountain range
that separates the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. Steep hillside vineyards
are characteristic of this wine appellation. As the elevation rises
on Mount Veeder, the resulting microclimates yield unique characteristics
to the wines made from these vineyards.
This can be a very relaxing day trip, or you can turn it into an
overnight stay in either in the Napa Valley or the Sonoma Valley.
Plan for a picnic lunch at Chateau Potelle, which is located just
at the summit of Mount Veeder. If you have not prepared a picnic
your lunch we suggest either the First Squeeze Deli and Juice Bar
in Napa, 1126 First St., or the Oakville
Grocery on Highway 29 in Oakville. The road to the top is curvy
and in some spots narrow. You will want to make sure you have a
designated driver for this tour
Hess
Collection Winery
On Highway 29, take the Redwood Drive exit. On Redwood Dr, go to
the left when the road splits (about one mile). Watch for the signs
to the Hess Winery about four miles up Redwood Dr. At this point,
Redwood Dr. turns to the left and after one mile you will arrive
at the Hess Collection Winery. The Hess Collection Winery is a spectacular
winery. The gardens are lovely and the walk to the tasting room
takes you through a reflecting pond on one side and a beautifully
covered wall of ivy on the other side. Tasting is $5.00 for the
current releases and $10.00 for reserve tasting. A self-guided tour
is available. This winery is a popular destination spot and it can
be crowded on the weekends. The Hess Collection is a large production
winery and has several labels of wine offerings. The Hess Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon is an excellent value.
Chateau
Potelle
From Hess, go back down the road one mile where you turned left
to Hess. Turn left and head up Mount Veeder. It’s about a
20-minute drive from this point to the entrance to Chateau Potelle.
Watch out for bicycles, this is a favorite training ground for serious
cyclists. They love these hills. Along the way you will pass the
Mount Veeder Winery. If you are interested in visiting this winery,
you will need to call and arrange an appointment, as they do not
have tasting room hours.
At the entrance to Chateau Potelle, a one-mile narrow road leads
to the winery and tasting room. This definitely is a hidden winery.
The tasting room is small and quaint with views that are absolutely
beautiful. Chateau Potelle makes some very delicious wines. They
have received recent accolades from the Wine Spectator, and Wines
and Spirits magazine has designated Chateau Potelle Winery of the
Year; not bad for a small boutique winery tucked among the hillsides
on top of Mount Veeder.
The line of wines labeled VGS are their estate wines. These wines
come from vineyards on the hillsides of Mount Veeder. These wines
are made with great care and limited production. They also produce
a delicious Sauvignon Blanc made from Mendocino grapes for $15 and
an outstanding Zinfandel for $20 made from Paso Robles grapes. The
Paso Robles Syrah is also a great choice.
The picnic area overlooks the mountainside and is a beautiful and
serene spot for your picnic lunch. Try a glass of the delicious
Sauvignon Blanc with your lunch.
From Chateau Potelle you have a few options. You can continue along
Mount Veeder Road and at Dry Creek Road turn right, which will take
you back to the Napa Valley. Turning left, you will end up on Highway
12 in Sonoma Valley. You can also decide to head back down Mount
Veeder from Chateau Potelle.
If you take the drive to the Sonoma Valley, turn left on Highway
12. You can hit two more wineries on the way back to the City. B.R.
Cohn and the Mayo
Family Winery
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