V Sattui Winery

Hanna & Brian's Wedding

Sun, 24 Nov 2013 12:05:00 -0800

Hanna & Brian's August wedding was set to perfection. The couple strolled through our estate Cabernet vineyards as the grapes were turning a deep red before harvest. Hanna looked absolutely gorgeous in her gown as she made her entrance into the elegant courtyard for the ceremony, where she and Brian exchanged the promise of a lifetime. The celebrations continued into the evening with dinner, dancing, and fabulous wines. Thank you Shannon Stellmacher for capturing their special day!

Monica & Bill's October Wedding

Thu, 21 Nov 2013 17:33:00 -0800

With the sun just starting to fade over the horizon, Monica walked down the aisle looking absolutely radiant as she stood next to Bill for their October ceremony. The long tables looked beautiful in the Barrel Room for an elegant dinner reception. Thank you Richard Wood for sharing photos from their special day, and congratulatiosn Monica and Bill!

Sara & Kevin's October Wedding

Thu, 21 Nov 2013 16:21:00 -0800

Autumn in Napa brings the energy of grape harvest, the bright colors of leaves turning golden and red, and the beauty of a love story! V. Sattui winery was all the more excited this October to host the wedding of Sara and Kevin. Aftern their lawn ceremony, the couple welcomed their guests to the candlelit Barrel Room for dinner and dancing, and offered s'mores and a lounge space in the courtyard. Richard Wood captured and shared their special day. Cheers to Sara and Kevin and hope to see you both again soon!

Happy National Zinfandel Day

Tue, 19 Nov 2013 13:26:00 -0800

Zinfandel arrived in the United States in the 1820s and was first cultivated along the East Coast. It was brought to California in the 1850s and by the late 19th century was the state's most widely planted grape. It was very popular with home winemakers during Prohibition, but its reputation declined in the years following repeal. The grape was generally relegated to workhorse status. That began to change in the mid-to-late 1960s as winemakers and savvy drinkers began to discover the elegance and versatility that great Zinfandel could offer. Credit Ridge Vineyards of Saratoga, founded in 1962, for putting a serious face on the grape with their ground-breaking single vineyard wines.

V. Sattui’s Zinfandels were first released in 1975 with only a modest blend and a single Howell Mountain bottling. We now offer eight different vineyard-designated Zins, each distinctive and representative of its origin. SHOP NOW >>

FROM THE VIDEO ARCHIVES: Watch the Wine Guys explain the term "old Vine" Zinfandel

Melissa & Mike's Wedding

Mon, 18 Nov 2013 14:57:00 -0800

Melissa and Mike are an absolutely picture perfect couple and we were truly honored to host their June wedding here at V. Sattui Winery! This fabulous couple was joined by family and friends for a beautiful courtyard ceremony before exiting with a shower of rose petals and cheers. Thank you Shannon Stellmacher for sharing these photos and congratulations to Melissa and Mike!

Day-After-Thanksgiving Turkey Soup

Mon, 18 Nov 2013 10:37:00 -0800

1 quart brown chicken stock

1 quart vegetable stock

1 turkey carcass, with meat removed

2 bay leaves

12 whole black peppercorns

2 tablespoons grapeseed or olive oil

2 garlic gloves, smashed and chopped

1 onion, small diced

1 carrot, small diced

1 stalk of celery, small diced

3 cups mixed vegetables

3 cups dark turkey meat, small to medium diced

2 teaspoons dried thyme

1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary

1 tablespoon chopped fresh italian parsley

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Remove the turkey carcass and discard. Strain the stockpot contents into a container and set aside.1. Put the stock, turkey carcass, 1 bay leaf and 6 peppercorns in a stock pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer for one hour, uncovered.

In a large soup pot over medium heat add the oil and garlic. Stir until the garlic just starts to brown. Add the onion, carrot and celery and stir. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking for about 7 minutes, stirring often. Add the stock, remaining bay leaf and peppercorns and bring to a simmer. Add the mixed vegetables, turkey, thyme and rosemary seasoning. Bring to a simmer, cover, turn off the heat and let sit five minutes. Remove the bay leaf and season with salt and pepper to taste. The peppercorns will sink to the bottom. Serve in warm soup bowls.

Serves 8

Consider Big Bottles…Size Matters

Thu, 14 Nov 2013 09:47:00 -0800

Size Does Matter!

When it comes to bottle sizes, the bigger the bottle, the greater potential for aging wines for the long term. Here’s why: the space between the top of the wine in the bottle and the bottom of the cork is referred to as the ullage. This space contains a very limited amount of air, which over time, oxidizes the wine very slowly. This slow, oxidative process is part of the magic that happens in a bottle of wine as it ages and it allows the wine to mellow and soften. Over time, corks also allow a minute amount of oxygen into the bottle, further accelerating the aging process.

The oxidation rate in bottled wine is a function of the ratio of air to wine in the bottle and the length of time of aging. Because big bottles contain more wine with about the same amount of ullage, these bottles can age much longer, compared with the traditional 750ml bottle, and can achieve complexities and flavors unique to their size. Large format bottles also allow us to drink older vintages long after 750ml bottlings have become old and tired. For these reasons, big bottles are preferred by collectors and wine enthusiasts.

Magnum to Nebuchadnezzar

Wine bottles range in size from the airline 187ml (quarter of a bottle) to sovereign, a bottle that holds 67 bottles or nearly six cases of wine (now that’s a party wine!) Each year, we bottle a limited number of magnums (2 bottles), double magnums (4 bottles), imperials (8 bottles) and Nebuchadnezzars (equal to 21 bottles) of our Preston and Morisoli Vineyard and Reserve Cabernets.

We guarantee that you will be the biggest hit at your next party if you show up with one of these gargantuan bottles. The wax seal is brittle and breaks off easily with a few raps of a dinner knife handle or similar blunt object, and please be sure to use a good waiter’s corkscrew and pull slowly and straight! How do you pour wine from a big bottle? Very carefully.

We have listed the most recent vintages in magnum and double magnum online.

Click here to shop large format wines

For older vintages and larger formats call 707-963-7774

Wish You Were Here!

Tue, 05 Nov 2013 00:00:00 -0800

There are few experiences greater than being in the Napa Valley in Autumn. Driving around at night when the air becomes colder and heavy, you can smell deep, profound aromas emanating from the pressed skins (called pomace) in the vineyards which literally perfume the air.

……….And the colors!! Vibrant colors bounce off a mantle of green grass brought about by fall rains. Did you ever wonder why certain vineyards become yellow and others red or both? Probably not. Well, without becoming too technical here is what you don’t see. The petiole (leaf stem) swells with the onset of colder and longer nights which does two things. It causes the Palisade layers in the leaf to collapse and chlorophyll production ceases turning the leaf yellow instead of green.

Secondly, at this time of year, all of the vine’s energy is now headed for the roots where it will be stored for bud break and initial shoot development next spring. Some vines and vineyards have contracted virus infections carried by mealy bugs or nematodes. This interferes with the movement of fluids in the vine and some of the anthocyanins (the stuff that makes tannin in wine) are trapped in the leaves turning them completely red or a mottled red. Some examples are Red Leaf Roll and Red Leaf Mosaic which effects the leaves more than the vines. The vines will wake up around mid March, as they do every year, and they will be just fine. You probably will not be able to look at a vineyard the same way again. In any event, when you are about to enjoy a glass of V. Sattui wine, just give our vineyards a little mental toast for all of the hard work they do.

Tori & Kyle

Wed, 30 Oct 2013 15:56:20 -0800

Tori & Kyle's Wedding was absolutely breathtaking. What a beautiful couple from the inside out. Thank you Kara Proehl for the amazing photos!

Pin & Stefan

Wed, 30 Oct 2013 14:14:59 -0800

Pin & Stefan, talk about two peas in a pod! What a wonderful and talented couple to work with. V. Sattui is honored to have hosted your wedding here. Congratulations again! Thank you Jen Philips for the beautiful photos!

Adrienne & Bruce's Wedding

Tue, 29 Oct 2013 11:58:52 -0800

Adrienne & Bruce introduced a spectacular summer evening for their August wedding here at V. Sattui Winery. Flowers, garlands & greenery, provided by Valley Flora, spilled from the balcony, and Barrel Room chandeliers. Adrienne & Bruce soon joined in the music by singing with his band, and dancing the night away with their guests. Congratulations Adrienne & Bruce, and we look forward to seeing you again soon!

Jessica & Sean

Tue, 29 Oct 2013 00:00:00 -0800

Congratulations to Jessica & Sean and thank you Ken Viale for the amzing photos!

Winemakers Anticipating Early Grape Harvest

Thu, 25 Jul 2013 10:45:00 -0800

Reprinted from KGO-TV/DT

If an expert were to guess the date only by looking at grapes ripening on vines, he or she would most likely say August, even based on what we're seeing in July. Grape growers say they're facing one of the earliest harvests ever.

The French word "veraison" describes when grapes turn from green to purple and signals ripening. It's happening now in the Napa Valley. According to Tom Davies, who runs V. Sattui Winery, this is the warning bell, or the start of a countdown to a harvest that may begin three weeks earlier, this year

It's all due to the weather. The dry spring kick started the grape growing season.

In reality, every wine from every season, even from the same vineyard, is different. Early wines from warmer seasons may be bolder, with more alcohol.

If the reds seem to be ripening fast, they're nothing compared with the whites. They don't change color, they just get softer and those grapes are almost ready now. Champagne grape growers say they could be picking by the first week of August.

Jennifer & Hassan's Elopement

Mon, 22 Jul 2013 15:58:00 -0800

Jennifer & Hassan travelled all the way from Dubai this May, to escape to the beautiful Napa wine country for their special day. The beautiful couple enjoyed lunch and sparkling wine on the V. Sattui Terrace, before photographer, Shannon Stellmacher, www.shannonstellmacherphotography.com whisked the couple around the property for more photos. Congratulations to Jennifer & Hassan! Thank you for travelling so far to spend your special day here at V. Sattui Winery!

Kelli & Jeff's Elopement

Mon, 22 Jul 2013 15:32:00 -0800

Kelli & Jeff truly ushered in the sunshine on a drizzly October day. Their elopement was set overlooking the vineyards at V. Sattui's private Vittorio Terrace. After exchanging their vows, the couple wandered through the garden and enjoyed lunch and wine in the Gold Room among library wine selections. Thank you to photographer, Shannon Stellmacher, http://shannonstellmacherphotography.com Congratulations Kelli & Jeff, and we look forward to seeing you again for a visit!