As my husband and I finished a scrumptious meal at Cliff House restaurant in San Francisco, we filled in our waitress on where we were heading next: wine country! Upon asking for her recommendations of wineries to visit, she was quick to mention her favourite: V. Sattui.
After hearing such a raving review of this winery in particular, we decided to make it our first vineyard stop. We were warmly welcomed at the entrance where a tall, ornate fountain set the relaxing and charming scene.
Several people were enjoying the picnic area in the gorgeous outdoor setting. The picnic grounds are surrounded by tall oak and walnut trees with dozens of fairy lights strung above. In this instance, it is best to arrive unprepared for a picnic, as V. Sattui has a cheese and deli store! After mindfully selecting your wine, pair it with some cheese and meats and indulge outside. What’s not to love!
I remember wondering why people in the deli seemed so overzealous as they shopped . . . they were eager to grab a hold of the good stuff for their epic outdoor picnic.
If you happen to visit V. Sattui on the weekend, you can enjoy some delicious BBQ. It would be great to make this your lunch and wine tasting destination because they make wood-fired pizzas made to order with fresh mozzarella. Unfortunately, we didn’t visit on a Saturday so we didn’t get the full experience of the barbecue, but we were still very impressed with everything we did experience.
My husband and I enjoyed the best wine tasting we’ve ever had, and we’ve experienced quite a few. The guide was extremely informative and managed to enlighten us on several unique facts we found very interesting . . . way beyond the typical “the colour of wine comes from the grape’s skin” kind of enlightenment.
We sampled a lot of their wines, and ended up going home with a bottle of cabernet sauvignon and the 130th Anniversary Madeira. Even if you don’t normally like ports, I think you’d love this one. Rendering a complexity of caramel, dried plum, honey, maple, and vanilla combined with hazelnuts, almonds and chocolate, it is reinforced with a smooth, silky, and balanced sensation on the palate. This is the oldest Madeira produced in the U.S. and it’s as though the wine waited decades to come to life on your palate. After opening the bottle for the first enjoyment, it remains good for two years!
With hundreds of wineries in the area all offering something unique, narrowing down the list of which wineries to visit can be challenging. Hopefully I made the decision a little easier by ensuring that V. Sattui is added to your list!
Have you visited V. Sattui before? Did you love it as much as I did?
That sounds like an excellent day trip. I didn’t know America made Madeira (or Port). Both to me are Portuguese fortified wines, though made in a completely different way – and from a different part of Portugal (Madeira is only made in the island of Madeira way to the South of Portugal, though still part of the country. Port comes from Northern Portugal).
I love the idea of being able to pick your meat and cheese and pair your wines for a picnic. Great idea. And, the bbq just makes it even more perfect. I’m definitely visiting V. Sattui if I get to the Napa Valley
It sounds like you would just love visiting V. Sattui! :) It’s such a good one.
We’ve been to Napa but not to that specific winery. Regardless, it looks stunning and so happy to here you two had a good experience there. The fact they have a BBQ on weekends makes it even more appealing.
It is such a good, relaxing time for any wine lover! Impossible not to enjoy yourself here :)
I would definitely go for the cheese tasting. Those all looked so good. One of our favorite appetizers here in San Diego is the baked Humboldt Fog, which is a blue cheese from that region. It’s so good.
That sounds delicious and would pair so nice with some wine I bet!
It has been ages since I visited Napa Valley and I do remember the wine. I would definitely go back and experience more. The cheese tasting is very interesting and enjoyable.
Wine with cheese is so delectable!
Oh wow! I’d LOVE to visit V. Sattui just for their cheese and deli store! When we lived in San Francisco, we were so craving for cheeses, and except for Trader Joe’s, we didn’t know where to go for “real” French cheese! If only we had heard of V. Sattui back then, we definitely would have visited Napa Valley more often! :)
I’m sure you would love visiting V. Sattui! I also do love Trader Joe’s every time I am in the States :)
I’m a huge Napa fan but haven’t been to this winery. The Madeira sounds awesome, i will check it out next visit for sure!
I’m sure you will enjoy!
Love love love wine country! Coming from New Zealand I appreciate a good glass of wine so I am always hunting wineries when visiting new destinations. Love the fact you can do a cheese tasting as well. Cheese and wine, my favourite!
I LOVED New Zealand not to mention the wine sampling we did in the Marlborough region!
I’ve been to a number of wineries, but not in the Napa Valley yet. One day hopefully. This sounds particularly delightful though and I’d definitely be up for a picnic with some wine.
The picnic scene really takes it up a notch! :)
Wineries have always attracted us and V. Stat looks really cool to visit. The idea of picnic with wine; cheese and meat sounds great. Would love to add this to my list. Thanks for sharing.
I hope you get a chance to visit! It`s a very good time!
It’s been ages since my trip to V. Sattui and Napa. I’m certainly due for a visit soon. I do recall enjoying the wines and the friendly service. Need to head back soon!!
Great to hear that you have been to this winery and also have good memories from there!