Baby, it’s cold outside. And when the weather turns inclement, I’m less about glorious vineyard walks and tours of chilly cellars. I want a toasty, cozy tasting room full of good stories and great wine. The Davies Vineyards tasting room ticks all the boxes.
Located less than a block off Highway 29 in St. Helena, the imposing stone building combines a sense of history with modern touches to create a comfortable space that’s divided into several private tasting areas.
Davies is a sister winery to heritage sparkling house Schramsberg, which dates back to the 1860s. If you’ve never taken the cave tour at Schramsberg, I recommend you add it to your list. But today, we’re beating the elements with a warm and winter-friendly foray into wines perfect for both a holiday feast and a celebratory gathering.
Warm room, fine wine
The Pinot Room is waiting for us. Beautifully appointed with photos of Schramsberg and Davies vineyards and an inviting lineup of empty (for now) glasses. Our host, Rimple Nayyar, welcomes us and we settle in for a combined tasting experience of small-production Schramsberg Vineyards sparkling wines and Davies Vineyards reds. A small plate of cheeses, nuts and dried fruit interplay with the wines and enhance flavor notes.
We start with bubbles—always a bonus in my book. A 2021 Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs is bright, with green apple on the palate and a creamy finish. A Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs from the same year is juicy and rich, with fresh apricot and delicate, dancing effervescence. These wines, Nayyar says, are “teenagers,” aged just three years before release.
By contrast, we next taste a full-bodied 2014 J. Schram Noirs, which is the same style wine as the Blanc de Noirs, just aged an additional six years on the lees. This wine, says our host, is an “adult.” The difference is immediately evident with a rounder, more elegant mouthfeel and a flavor profile that brings out its inner-pinot noir.
Reds for winter
We move on to the Davies side of the equation, starting with a 2022 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. It’s easy and understated, with low tannins, cherry and dark berries. Nayyar calls it “dangerous,” saying, “you’ll swear there’s a hole in the bottle because it disappears so quickly.” Copy that.
A 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon blends fruit from 10 vineyards (including both mountain and valley terrain) for a balanced, well-structured take on the variety. A 2021 McGrath Vineyard Cab has a dusty, earthy nose. It’s meaty and expressive, with currant and leather in tandem.
We finish with a big, bold 2021 Red Cap Vineyard Cabernet. The Howell Mountain location (1,900 feet elevation) produces deep, dark wines with strong tannins. Blue and purple fruit notes play nicely with baking spices and rose petals. This one is just starting to show its personality, with years to go on its flavor journey.
We end our day with a palate-cleansing 2020 Schramsberg Brut Rosé—like a bright bite of fresh strawberries after all the chewy and meaty cabs. Driving away, we talk about the wines and which upcoming gathering pairs with each one. Did I mention we love the holidays?
Did You Know?
There are more than a mile (3,400 square feet) of caves dug into the hillsides of the Schramsberg estate.
Davies Vineyards
1210 Grayson Ave.
St. Helena, California 94574
daviesvineyards.com
Tasting by appointment only
Red Wine Tasting
A sit down tasting of five small-production Davies Vineyards pinot noirs and cabernet sauvignons. $65 per person
Sparkling Wine Tasting
A sit down tasting of Schramsberg Vineyards classic and prestige cuvée sparkling wines. $65 per person
Sparkling & Red Wines Combination Tasting
A sit down of a combined portfolio tasting of three small-production Schramsberg Vineyards sparkling wines and three Davies Vineyards red wines. $75 per person
Davies Cabernet Sauvignon Library Tasting
Explore the evolution of Estate J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon from Diamond Mountain by tasting three library vintages (2008, 2013 and 2018), plus two additional current cabernet sauvignon offerings. $180 per person
Wine & Caviar Brunch
An educational tasting of Schramsberg Vineyards sparkling wines and Davies Vineyards reds, paired with Regiis Ova Caviar; Tortilla Española; sautéed wild mushrooms, polenta cake and seared local Five Dot Ranch tenderloin; and a decadent cheesecake with lemon curd to highlight the principles of wine and food pairings. $180 per person
