Appointment With Perfection
Kuleto Estate Family Vineyards

Interested in seeing a truly special winery in the Napa Valley? If you are looking for a memorable tour of a significant winery estate property, with great wines to match, you should plan a visit to Kuleto Estate Family Vineyards. This unique property with awesome views, outstanding architecture and great wines has just opened to the public. Include it in your next visit to the valley…you'll enjoy an extraordinary treat!

Kuleto's stone gate is easy to recognize soon after you pass Lake Hennessey on Highway 128 heading into the hills. As I wound up the narrow but well-maintained road, I started to realize that I was visiting a real estate…the result of combining four ranch properties into one. The eclectic architecture of the winery is a unique cross between Frank Lloyd Wright and rustic Italian Tuscany. As I toured the property, every design thought showed careful attention to natural materials, custom craftsmanship and warm yet spectacular lighting, all integrated respectfully with the landscape. This intent, along with carefully placed, picturesque hillside vineyards and gardens, has allowed the extraordinary beauty of the natural setting to remain at center stage, giving the marvelous illusion that this wine estate has been operating for a long time.

During the interesting, very personal tour, I was shown how the winery's design integrates the best of both traditional and innovative techniques for efficient and gentle handling of their ultra-premium fruit and juice. Viewing the room of open-top fermenters glistening in radiant light was inspiring and interesting for its function and form. Notably, the wines move by gravity flow, a traditional "anti-technology" that allows the gentlest possible transference of wines. The current capacity of this estate winery is about 7,000 cases, with an ultimate goal of perhaps 12,000, so every gesture reflects a personal touch.

And the result, of course, is the wines. Not far from Howell Mountain, these hillside vineyards produce fruit which is divine. Kuleto's rich Tuscan-style Sangiovese is culturally the focus of the property's spirit as well as the winemaking, very rich and thick for a Sangiovese, with a hint of mint or sage, definitely a Sangiovese to match heartier fare. And naturally, the Napa Cabernet Sauvignon is a king. The different varietal vines are carefully placed around the huge property, in the case of the Estate Pinot Noir, tucked into a cool mini-valley providing a unique microclimate. The Zinfandel was a special treat (and to a Sonoma County Zin partisan!)…the 2001 is the debut of their Estate fruit, smooth with slightly sweet fruit, good oak, wonderful balance and not overly filtered. If the weather is hot their Rosato di Sangiovese, a rich dry style rosé, will cool you down.

The Kuleto Estate Family Vineyards tour offers a complete picture of wine country living, agriculture and winemaking. More significant, there is an uncommon sense of both purpose and authenticity to the Estate, despite it's young age. A new take on Cal-Italian living, thriving on firm roots. And the wines are remarkable, values for their quality!

Tours, offered in small groups, are by appointment only. You will enjoy a marvelous walk around the property and remarkable winemaking facility, cool off and taste from the barrels below, nosh some cheeses and of course taste remarkable wines. $25 per person, and worth it! Tours at 10:30 and 2:30. If last-minute plans are the only option, call and see if any spots are still available.

The map given to confirm your reservation (with essential gate code) is excellent. You might use Silverado Trail rather than Highway 29 as soon as you can cut over, it is prettier and less crowded. The road past the stone gate winds around a bit, but is meticulously maintained and fine for a rental car. From St. Helena, plan 45 minutes (1-1/4 hours from Napa ) to get to the top of the hill, refresh and be ready for a great experience.

(707) 963-9750
www.kuletoestate.com

Article submitted by Taylor Poff