Just on the north edge of St Helena on Silverado Trail is Casa Nuestra. As soon as you turn onto their driveway you know you are going somewhere different. Rather then a long elegant driveway dotted with perfectly manicured trees and sculptures, you find yourself on a gravel road. To the left is a solar panel field. Parking is in front of a fenced- in goat pasture. The tasting room is quite rustic, reminiscent of a barn. Welcome to Casa Nuestra! When you enter the rustic tasting room you are greeted by a friendly staff as down to earth as their surroundings. The atmosphere is laid back with the quiet confidence that comes with knowing you are pouring great wine. Not only is the wine great, but unique. Casa Nuestra makes a few varietals that are not commonly found in Napa Valley such as Charbono, Colombard, and a field blend they call Tinto Classico.
Field blends are fascinating. This is old school farming. Before prohibition, vintners in Sonoma and Napa would plant a variety of varietals not just in a single vineyard, but a single row! The thought was that the grapes, blended together, would make a good wine. But rather then blend the wine in the lab, the blend began in the vineyard. Not only do the vines grow together, they are usually picked and fermented together. California field blends almost always feature Zinfandel mixed with lesser known varietals. Casa Nuestra's Tinto Classico, features Zinfandel, Alicante Bouschet, Carignane, Petite Sirah, and Refosco.
Although some of the vineyards at Casa Nuestra date back over 40 years (such as the field blend), the current owner purchased the property in 1979. Most of the wine is made from their organic vineyar ds. Their prices are very wallet friendly, especially when one considers Casa Nuestra's high priced neighbors such as Screaming Eagle and Harlan. When asked why he keeps the prices so low, owner Gene Kirkham's often heard reply is, "Well, we aren't making wine to pave the driveway." And thank goodness they aren't. The gravel drive way is the perfect segue to a total rustic tasting experience that often ends with a handful of pellets for guests to feed the pet goats with. To get a better idea you can check out their video.
Next time you are in Napa, be sure to put Casa Nuestra on your itinerary. You'll be so glad you did!
Find out more details about Casa Nuestra in our Wine Directory!