Total Trail Miles: 41.2
The Reserve Tours are focused on blending wineries within each category to create a 'best of ' wine trail. Reserve Blend #2 is built around different themes. The wineries on this trail include Schramsberg (Sparkling Wine), Clos Pegase (Art), Round Pond (Views) and Mayacamas (20th Century History).
Start the day with a little sparkling wine and a fascinating tour of the historic Schramsberg Winery. Allocate a full 90 minutes to explore their wine caves while learning the traditional French method of making sparkling wine (aka Methode Champenoise). Schramsberg is considered by many to be the finest sparkling wine in the United States.
Continue further north on Highway 29, make a right at Dunweal Lane and look for at the unique piece of architecture on the left. Michael Graves designed Clos Pegase in his prime during the glory years of 1980's postmodern movement. The surrounding sculpture and various art forms inside compliment a consistent offering of wine produced from their estate in Calistoga.
Continue south on the Silverado Trail until you reach Conn Creek Road. Turn right and stay right until you reach a row of palm trees on the left, welcome to Round Pond. As a winery, Round Pond is relatively new to Napa but the owners have been growing fruit in the valley for decades. Walk up to the second floor of this handsome winery and absorb multi dimensional views/vistas while enjoying seductive Bordeaux varietals in the heart of Rutherford.
OK, time to get off the floor and into the mountains for our final stop. Head west on Rutherford Road and make a left at Highway 29, continue south until your reach the Oakville Grade, make right and head west to Mt. Veeder road. Make a left and continue south along the winding mountain road for about four miles to Lokoya Road. Make a right and follow the signs to Mayacamas Vineyards. This historic winery has a colorful history and was a participant in the 1976 Competition of Paris. Former owners Robert and Elinor Travers started making wine shortly after purchasing the property in 1968 and continued until they sold the property in 2014. If you enjoy age-able mountain wines and historic structures within beautiful mountain aesthetics, Mayacamas is the winery for you.
Dine at Morimoto in Napa. (707) 252-1600
Winery Option: Frog's Leap
Round Pond | Rutherford AVA