Visiting the Gate(way) to the Valley – Valley Gate Vineyards
It has been cool… That may strike you as a strange way to start a review, but it will be making a difference come this harvest. This harvest will be a big one for a new name in the Napa Valley, Valley Gate Vineyards. Standing majestically on a hillside just as you drive through Jameson Canyon towards the Napa Valley stands what was formerly Kirkland Ranch Winery. The main building is a rustic three-story, 57,000-square-foot structure of stone and wood beams, with a 3,000-square-foot tasting room on the second floor. At the top of the winery’s oak staircase stands the tasting room with stunning panoramic views of their estate vineyards and rolling hills of Jameson Canyon. Outside and around the building lies beautiful landscaping of waterfalls, fountains, trees, and flora. Valley Gate Vineyard’s tasting room offers comfortable seating inside as well as intimate seating on the Overlook Veranda. The tasting room is open daily from 10am to 5pm, with the last tasting beginning at 4:30pm.
Valley Gate Vineyards also hosts events on the Overlook Veranda that is ideal for a casual summer fare, luncheons or cocktail receptions and seats up to 125 guests. The Observation Gallery overlooks the winery’s massive steel storage tanks and wine making facilities. The Lodge is an elegant ballroom with vaulted ceilings, perfect for rehearsal dinners, large celebrations, or corporate events and seats up to 200 guests.
Winemaker, Montgomery Paulsen isn’t new to the wine industry as he worked on his family’s vineyard in Sonoma County and through the years has managed wine operations in many countries. He also was a manager of production planning and purchasing at C. Mondavi & Sons/Charles Krug Winery and production director and winemaker at Custom Vintners of Sonoma/Chateau De Baun.
During this particular Saturday afternoon, only three weeks since their grand opening and considering they had a big event of 500 people days before, the tasting room was quite peaceful as Valley Gate’s host, Lessly VanHoutan exhibited such grace while speaking of the history of the building and the surrounding area.
We started off with the 2009 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc ($18). The nose revealed scents of pineapple and grapefruit. We both favored this wine as we admired the hints of citrus and the crispness on the palate. It had an exhilarating finish and would pair well with Asian cuisine or a tangy goat cheese and figs appetizer.
The 2009 Napa Valley Viognier ($15). There were definite aromas of melons, citrus, and a hint of vanilla. Like the Sauvignon Blanc, this wine was crisp and acidic to the palate with a touch of fruitiness at the finish and medium complexity. Very appropriate with Chicken Marsala, Seared Salmon, or Crab Cakes with Aioli Sauce.
The 2009 Napa Valley Chardonnay ($22) has no oak and Lessly’s favorite. This wine was aged in stainless steel preserving the natural fruitiness. Although dry but acidic on the palate, this Chardonnay displays its complexity and sharp-crisp metallic finish. This wine would pair well with grilled Halibut, Oyster Stew, or Lobster Bisque.
One of our favorites, the 2009 Napa Valley Pinot Noir ($22) was lighter red or cherry syrup in color. The nose was of black cherries, raspberries , blueberries and very nice indeed. We both enjoyed the earthiness on the palate. This Pinot would pair well with a rich Pate, Honey Baked ham, or Portabella Ravioli’s in a Cream Sauce.
Their 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($25) had dark garnet hues and layers of magenta. A very nice wine that carried itself well with aromas of black berries, tobacco and hints of leather and cedar aromas led to us appreciating the mid-palate of plums, cocoa, and spicy, yet complex tannins . This wine exuded a long lingering finish. This Cabernet would pair well with Korean Beef dish, a nice juicy Porterhouse Steak, or Roasted Vegetable Tarts.
The 2007 Napa Valley Zinfandel ($23) was lighter magenta in color and light on the nose. There was a bit of spice, jammy berries and cloves on the palate. A bit lighter than the Zinfandel that we were used to, yet approachable. This wine could be paired with a simple barbecued leg of lamb, grilled Tuscan pork chops, or dark chocolate lava cake.
We ended the tasting on the Veranda overlooking the well sculpted grounds of the winery. With each having a glass of the Pinot in hand, we marveled at how peaceful it was considering how busy Jameson Canyon can get. Again, we talked about how this years’ harvest is looking to be a surprise to many. We know it will be a big one for this winery.
