Weekend At A Winery: Hike & Sip In St. Helena

SAINT HELENA, CA — Joseph Phelps Vineyards, a family-run operation tucked away in St. Helena with multiple estate vineyards throughout the Napa and Sonoma Valley wine regions, is a destination deserving a travel stop — particularly with its recurring line-up of dining and tasting events.

Top on the current calendar: the Sept. 5 "Vineyard Hike & Private Tasting." The event — alas! — now shows as "sold out," however, those interested can join the wait-list. (Info here.)

And if that plan falls through, other up-and-coming events include: "Terrace Tasting," with a terrace-seated tasting led by a wine educator and featuring current releases, including the flagship Insignia wine; "Single Vineyards - A Taste of Place," a 90-minute, educational/wine-tasting with lessons on soil, microclimate and varietal selections; and "Barrel Aging Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon," a tasting and study of the role of barrels in the development of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Or for a go-big-or-go-home option ... go for the "Ovation and Caviar" package. This exclusive to-go offer features a bottle of 2015 Joseph Phelps Ovation Sparkling Wine, Marky’s Kaluga Caviar, a mother-of-pearl spoon, house-made blinis, brioche croutons, chives, red onion, crème fraîche and chopped egg yolks and whites, packaged in a signature wood box. Each Ovation & Caviar package serves two. (Price $250. Phelps Preferred members $200.)

Keep up with the winery's events here on Tock.

Joseph Phelps Vineyards was founded in 1973 by Joseph Phelps, a construction executive and entrepreneur, whose interest in winemaking led him to establish vineyards on a 670-acre former cattle ranch in Napa Valley. Over the next 42 years, he built Joseph Phelps Vineyards into a critically-acclaimed winery.

Joe’s son, Bill Phelps, joined the family business in 1998 and now oversees the vineyards, along with the winery’s board of directors that include Joe’s daughters, Leslie, Laurie and Lynn.

In 2016, third-generation family member Elizabeth Neuman was named director of business development & marketing, and Will Phelps as the winery’s hospitality & consumer sales director.

"Today, the Phelps family is committed to maintaining and nurturing Joseph Phelps Vineyards as a family-owned and run winery and to extending the extraordinary legacy of its founder, Joe Phelps," the operators said.

The family now owns and farms 425 acres of vines in Napa Valley on nine estate vineyards in St. Helena, Rutherford, Oakville, Stags Leap District, Oak Knoll District, South Napa and Carneros, as well as 100 acres over two vineyards on the western Sonoma Coast.

"Strategically chosen over many decades, each vineyard has its own personality and brings a different characteristic to our wines," management said.

Joseph Phelps Vineyards is at 200 Taplin Road in St. Helena. Follow this link for winery details and ordering info.

For other activities, hotels and dining spots in the area, visit the St. Helena Welcome Center website.

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