We encourage you to consider heading to St. Helena at the end of next week for Vintner’s Vanguard, a wine tasting event showcasing the amazing wines crafted at Brasswood Estate’s custom crush facility. This walk-around tasting includes small boutique producers such as Aloft, Bevan Cellars, Ladera, M by Michael Mondavi, Moone-Tsai Wines and Brasswood Cellars itself.  They’ll be joined by another dozen wineries pouring their boutique wines between noon and 3 pm on Saturday August 24 in The Gallery at Brasswood (3111 North St. Helena Highway, St. Helena).

This is your chance to savor and enjoy the most recent wines from winemakers Jade Barrett, Russell Bevan, Rosemary Cakebread, Michael DeSantis, Stacia Dowdell, Philippe Melka, Robbie Meyer, Tim Milos, Angelina Mondavi, Michael Mondavi, Jason Moore and Jennifer Williams.  Tickets are $125 per person and can be purchased here.  We’re also happy to share that if you enter the promo code “BRASSWOOD” you can save $25 per person.

Bevan Cellars

We’re not sure exactly which wines will be poured at this year’s Vintner’s Vanguard. But, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll be able to compare and contrast Cabernet Sauvignons from across Napa Valley appellations. Wines made by participants include a Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon by Brasswood Cellars, a Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon by Haber Family Vineyards, a Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon by Aloft, an Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon by Bevan Cellars, a St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon by Arrow & Branch, and a Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon by Harumph Wines.  You may also be able to taste other Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons from Animo, M by Michael Mondavi and Zakin Family Estate.

Peirson Meyer Wines

If you’re looking for white wines at Vintner’s Vanguard, you may be able to taste an Oak Knoll Sauvignon Blanc from Ladera, an Atlas Peak Sauvignon Blanc from Arrow & Branch, a Russian River Chardonnay by Parallel Wines, and a Los Carneros Chardonnay from Haber Family Vineyards. Gallica also creates a delicious Albariño from grapes grown in Rorick Heritage Vineyard in Calaveras County.  You should know that Peirson Meyer Wines produces several outstanding Chardonnays including single-vineyard delights from Sophia’s Vineyard (Russian River Valley) and Charles Heintz Vineyard (Sonoma Coast).

Gallica’s Grenache

Peirson Meyer also has lovely Pinot Noirs, including single-vineyard wines sourced from Bateman Vineyard (Sonoma Coast) and Miller Vineyard (Russian River Valley).  The winery also produces a “Right Bank” blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc called “Maquette.”  Additional red wines that may be available at Vintner’s Vanguard include a Sonoma Valley Grenache from Gallica, Sonoma Valley Mourvèdre and Counoise from Westwood Estate Winery, Oak Knoll District Merlot and Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah from Modus Operandi Wines, and a Howell Mountain Zinfandel from Dark Matter.

We had a delightful time at last year’s Vintner’s Vanguard, and some of our personal favorites were:

Brasswood Estate

• Brasswood 2015 Cabernet Franc and 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
• Gallica 2017 Albariño, 2017 Rossi Ranch Grenache and 2014 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
• Ladera 2014 Howell Mountain Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
• Moone-Tsai 2016 Napa Valley Chardonnay
• Parallel Wines 2012 Russian River Valley Chardonnay, 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon
• Peirson Meyer 2015 Sophia Vineyard Chardonnay, 2015 Bateman Vineyard Pinot Noir and 2015 Miller Vineyard Pinot Noir

Brasswood Estate

Brasswood Estate features a state-of-the-art winery with 17,000 sq. feet of caves, where they make their own boutique wines and collaborate with premium winemaker clients. The property is also home to multiple tasting rooms and event spaces as well as a bottle shop with rare wines and liquors. The onsite bakery Brasswood Bar + Bakery is open from 8 am to 5 pm. The Brasswood Bar + Kitchen restaurant, headed by Executive Chef David Nuno, is open for lunch and dinner between 11:30 am and 9 pm.  The Brasswood Cellars tasting room is open from 10 am to 5 pm.  3111 St. Helena Highway North, St. Helena (707) 968-5434.