Throughout the years I have probably visited 50 wineries in Napa Valley for tours and tastings. While it is difficult to compare the visits, it isn’t difficult to know when you have visited “a very special place”. That’s how I would describe my recent visit to Promontory.
Promontory is the vision of Bill Harlan who also founded Harlan Estates and Bond Estates Winery which are both iconic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon producers. As you walk the grounds of Promontory it is hard to believe you are only a mile from the Napa Valley floor. The hillsides and elevation feel like you have traveled much further west up Oakville Grade Road.
Our private tasting began with a bottle of Dom Perignon and an interesting discussion of the Promontory property in Oakville. Before Bill Harlan began to acquire the Promontory property in 2008, he did extensive soil testing. He assumed he would find an extension of the volcanic and sedimentary formations similar to Harlan which is located just South of Promontory. As it turns out, he found a third soil series comprised of rock and varied minerals which Promontory believes defines their wine. Because of the terrain, only about 10% of Promontory’s 800+ acres can be planted.
Olive Tree
After touring the vineyard property we spent time in the winery. The winery was designed for efficiency and future growth. The wine is aged in French Oak barrels for 9-12 months and then blended and further aged in large, Austrian Oak casks. Everything about the design of the Promontory estate is “purposeful”. There is a water trough off the back of the tasting area that extends 30 feet out in the direction of the vineyards and was designed to point at Harlan Estates!
Winery
Austrian Oak Casks
Our tasting included three vintages (2009, 2010 and 2012) which allowed us to experience how Winemaker Cory Empting has evolved the wine.
I learned about Promontory prior to the initial 2009 release which allowed me to receive an allocation of the 2009 vintage and each vintage since.
If travel takes you to Napa Valley I would highly recommend a visit to Promontory.