V. Sattui Winery is located in Napa Valley town of St. Helena.  It’s one of the most popular stops (over 400k visitors annually) along Highway 29.  And with a plethora of wonderful wines (over 45), an on-site gourmet deli and cheese shop, great picnic grounds, and a reasonable ($10) wine-tasting fee (down-right inexpensive by Napa Valley standards)- why not?!

V. Sattui has an interesting history – Before Prohibition, and After Prohibition.  The winery traces it’s roots back to 1885 when Vittorio Sattui established a winery in Italian Colony of the North Beach in San Francisco.  The winery later expanded and flourished in the Mission District of The City.  Then, after Prohibition was enacted in 1919, the winery closed.

The story picked up again in 1976 when Dario Sattui re-stablished the winery. But not without being on the verge of going out of business.  Dario’s persistence, vision, innovation, and commitment to excellence has guided V. Sattui Winery to the pinnacle of success (click here for complete history)  That same vision, and commitment to excellence lead Dario found Castello Di Amorosa.

“We don’t deify wine…It’s not about the wine, it’s about having a good time.” – Dario Sattui (courtesy of SF Gate)

V. Sattui Winery is a winery-direct business, meaning the wines may only be purchased at the winery in St. Helena, on-line or by phone. The wines aren’t sold in stores or restaurants.

I have a confession – as many times, as I’ve been to Napa, I’ve never visited the winery.  That’s primarily because I tend to favor smaller wineries.  After tasting this trio of wines, I’ll be rectifying my oversight my next trip to Napa Valley!

My tasting notes follow:

2009 V. Sattui Winery Petite Sirah

Inky violet color with tart black fruit, chocolate, and cedarwood aromas. On the palate it’s medium-full bodied, with dusty tannins (I like a wine with some grip), and ripe blackberry, blueberry, vanilla and dark chocolate flavors. Medium finish. – 89pts

Rating: Recommended.

The Wine Geek Stuff:

• Alcohol: 14.8%
• Closure: Cork
• AVA: > California> Napa Valley
• Grape Varieties: 97% Petite Sirah, 2% Petite Verdot, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Cooperage: 18 months in 16% new American oak, 24% New French Oak, 60% seasoned oak
• Vineyard: Allias Vineyard; Head-trained vines planted in 1926
• Retail: $35
• Cases produced: 150

2009 V. Sattui Winery Zinfandel Gilsson Vineyard

Violet color appealing briary, floral dark fruit and spice aromas. On the palate, it’s medium full bodied with well integrated dusty tanning, medium acidity and mixed berry, black cherry, vanilla and spice flavors. Medium long finish. – 91pts

Rating: Highly Recommended.

The Wine Geek Stuff:

• Alcohol: 15%
• Closure: Cork
• AVA: > California> Sonoma County> Russian River Valley
• Grape Varieties: 98% Zinfandel, 2% Petite Sirah
• Cooperage: 18 months in 13% new American Oak, 22% new French oak, 65% seasoned oak
• Vineyard: Gilsson Vineyard; Head-trained vines planted in early 1960s
• Retail: $37
• Cases produced: 839

2010 V. Sattui Winery Pinot Noir Henry Ranch Carneros

Ruby color with very good aromatics of cherry, raspberry, and spice. On the palate, it’s creamy smooth and medium bodied with cherry, raspberry and spice flavors. Med long finish. – 90pts

Rating: Highly Recommended.

The Wine Geek Stuff:

• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Closure: Cork
• AVA: > California> Napa / Sonoma> Carneros
• Grape Varieties: 100% Pinot Noir
• Cooperage: 10 months in 50% new French oak, 50% seasoned French oak.
• Vineyard: Henry Ranch Vineyard; planted to Pommard and Dijon clones
• Retail: $39
• Cases produced: 1089

Wines above were provided as media samples for my review

Related post you may enjoy:

• Castello di Amorosa Gewürztraminer – A Winning Trio (ENOFYLZ Wine Blog)
• V. Sattui’s Humble Beginnings In North Beach (S.F.Gate)