$34.99 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

From the winery website:  “Highflyer wines are inspired by my two passions: winemaking and aviation. As a private pilot, I am able to see AVAs throughout the Golden State from a unique perspective. From the window of my airplane, I can scout out interesting vineyards based on the unique characteristics of the vineyard topography and location. In a day, I can tour distant vineyard sites down state, meet with the vineyard management team…and be home in time for dinner. 

In 2003, Highflyer wines were born out of the idea that by using my hobby to support my work, I could attain my goal of making pure, distinctive, charismatic wines from fruit grown by the most qualified vineyard managers on sites best suited to each varietal.

Since then, the team and I have been taking this task quite seriously – building lasting relationships and honoring our commitment to deliver the vineyard in each bottle of wine.”  –Craig Becker

Becker is a graduate of U.C. Davis and oversees viticulture not only for Highflyer, but also for Priest Ranch and the Somerston Estate.

Winery Tasting Notes:   “In 2011 we produced only 21 barrels of Highflyer Pinot Noir from Doctor’s Vineyard.  The wine was aged for 12 months in 100% French oak, 20% of which was new barrels.  This vintage shows bright fruit flavors and the purity of cool climate pinot noir aromatics, with tiers of concentrated young cherry, cola, raspberry jam and red plum. Fleshy and full-bodied, the finish is lingering and delicious!”

Blend:  100% pinot noir

$20 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

From the Steltzner website:  Richard Steltzner established his first Stags Leap District Vineyards in 1965 while concurrently engaging in vineyards management.  Steltzner Vineyards’ first commercial release was in 1977, and the Steltzner Family established their own modest facility in 1983, with a 3,000 case capacity here in the Stags Leap District.

Today, you will Dick’s children working with him to carry on his legacy here in the Napa Valley.  Allison Steltzner began working with her father full-time in 2002 after completing her Bachelor of Sciences Degree at Chico State, majoring in business administration, with a minor in marketing.  Allison is uniquely suited for her post as General Manager and National Sales Director for Steltzner Vineyards.  Today, she is joined by Justin, as the second generation Steltzner family to work full time in the winery.  Justin carries on his father’s farming traditions and works side by side with Dick to manage the ranch and produce optimal fruit from our estate.  fruit from our estate. 

The Steltzner estate now totals 100 acres with the capacity of producing enough grapes to make 25,000 cases.  Current total winery production is 20,000 cases.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Classic Bordeaux blend with just enough Merlot and Petit Verdot to give the underlying Cabernet Sauvignon finesse and grace. Aromas of rich ripe fruit, raspberry jam, hints of cedar box on the finish.”

Blend:   65% merlot; 31% cabernet sauvignon; 4% petit verdot

$40 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

From the Rocca web site:  In 1999, Mary Rocca and Eric Grigsby ended their three-year search for the perfect estate when they found a 21-acre vineyard nestled deep in the heart of the Napa Valley where the pair had made their home for over a decade. After renaming the new parcel The Grigsby Vineyard, Mary devoted her full attention to the new project, while Eric continued to cultivate a career as one of the nation’s most respected pain management physicians.

Mary called upon renowned winemaker Celia Welch Masyczek to produce the label’s first vintages. The debut bottling was the 2000 syrah, but Rocca really got on the map in 2002, when its Grigsby Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon came in #1 in a blind tasting of 12 Rising Star Cabernets at the Vintners Club tasting in the U.S. Later, the wine was taken with a group of 12 other cabernets to show in France’s 12 Best Cabernets from California. It came in #1 over there as well.

The following year, Mary purchased the 11-acre Colinetta Vineyard, planted on a small hill in the Coombsville Appellation, several miles east of downtown Napa. These two vineyards produce some of the Valley’s finest wine grapes, and in turn, some of the Valley’s finest wines. In 2008, Celia passed the winemaking baton to Paul Colantuoni, who has continued to produce world-class wines under the Rocca label.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “It will come as no surprise to fans of our Vespera that the 2012 version is, once again, the crowd-pleaser of the vintage: our most forward, easily accessible, immediately delicious and enjoyable bottling of the year.  As soon as it’s poured, the wine comes across as warm and rich and inviting.  There are deep layers of dark ripe blackberry, cassis, and black cherry aromas here, comfortably interwoven with subtle hints of oak spice, cinnamon, nutmeg and milk chocolate.  This is a gorgeously soft, smooth blend that lushly coats the entire palate without a hint of heaviness or astringency.  The lab numbers insist that there’s a lot of tannin here for extended ageability, but it’s our trademark silky-smooth Rocca tannin, and it’s almost invisible behind the wine’s expressive, sumptuous dark fruit finish.  This is a wine that’s ready for full enjoyment right out of the gate, and we hope you’ll have a wonderful time sharing it with close friends and family.”

Blend:  69% cabernet sauvignon; 26% merlot; 5% syrah

$45 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

There probably is no greater thrill for any U.S.-based winery than to have its wine featured at a White House State Dinner.  Ken and Akikoi Freeman of Sebastopol’s Freeman Vineyard & Winery joined that exclusive club when their Ryo-fu Chardonnay was served April 28 when President and Mrs. Obama hosted Prime Minister and Mrs. Abe of Japan.

Tokyo-born Akiko heads up viticulture and winemaking at Freeman with back up in the winery from pinot/chardonnay wizard Ed Kurtzman (Chalone, Testarossa).  Co-owner Ken Freeman earned his MBA at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business, which he put to excellent use at the Discovery Channel in Asia and at CNET in California.  Together, Akiko, Ken and Ed have built one of Sonoma’s most respected producers of pinot and chardonnay.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “The 2012 Freeman Russian River Valley Pinot Noir has a deep ruby color, and the nose is a combination of ripe black cherries, rhubarb and toasty oak. The large-framed palate is dominated by rich, Russian River Valley Pinot Noir in the most traditional sense. The mouthfeel and flavors are similar to how Pinot was made in the early ’90s in the Russian River. There’s a long finish where acidity and tannin come into play, but the dark fruits last a long time as well. Although this 2012 Russian River is drinking well already, expect it to be even better by 2015 through 2023.”

Wine Advocate Review (91 points):  “The 2012 Pinot Noir Russian River exhibits a lighter medium ruby color as well as more sassafras, cola, beet root and clove characteristics along with sweet cinnamon-infused black cherries. The complex aromatics are followed by a lush, sexy, medium-bodied, round, distinctive pinot noir that should drink well for four to five years. I loved the complexity and seductiveness of this offering.”

Blend:  100% pinot noir

$21.99 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Outcast is one of two brands created by three friends:  Peter Vermeulen, Alex Merrill and Anuj Aggarwal, who launched their project in 2008 and started marketing their first bottling in 2010.  Thus far under the Outcast brand, they have offered a merlot, cabernet sauvignon, grenache, pinot noir and now their first chardonnay.  The group also sells a California white blend through its Caravel label.

The founders are proud of the fact that they have conceived a business outside of the traditional wine industry.  They view themselves as a “Band of Brothers” in wine.  Thus far, they’re doing an excellent job, and they commit 5% of profits to charitable causes.  Nice!

Winery Tasting Notes:  “This golden-hued beauty opens with aromas of peach, pear and tropical fruit.  The palate is rich with pineapple and honeysuckle combined with a striking minerality.  The 12-month Oak barrel aging adds a luscious finish, and the refreshing acidity lends depth and balance.  This wine has splendid weight and texture, without being buttery or heavy-handed.  If you like your chardonnays rich and crisp, then this is right up your alley.  Dare we say more?”  –Christopher Garcia

Blend:  100% Chardonnay

$70 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

DuMol produces a wine range of wines—from chardonnay to syrah to viognier, but the winery is especially appreciated for its single-vineyard pinots.  A darling of Robert Parker, DuMol’s pinots consistently score in the 90s, as does this month’s selection, which earned 92 points.

Andy Smith has been winemaker since 2000, and he works out of a nearly 20,000-square-foot winery that went online in 2005 capable of producing up to 20,000 cases per year.  The winery was launched in 1996 by partners Michael Verlander, Kerry Murphy and Smith.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Light golden color; Rich full aromas of tangerine, ripe stone fruits, oatmeal, vanilla, a fresh spearmint edge with faint ginger and truffle notes. Very powerful stone fruit entry, lemon oil, saffron, nutmeg and pineapple. Rich weighty mid palate with sweet lime and lemongrass. Racy acidity picks up back end with length and persistence. Building almond flavor to the finish. Serve no cooler than 55 degrees. Drink between 2012 and 2016.”

Wine Advocate Review (92 points):   “. . .a beautiful, focused wine.  It possesses the textural richness that is typical of the Clare Hyde Vineyard, but with quite a bit of minerality and freshness as well.  Clean saline notes frame this nicely delineated finish.  This parcel was planted with Wente clones 17 years ago.  Anticipated maturity:  2014-2021.

$21.95 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

For years now, Maldonado Vineyards in the Napa Valley have been a go-to provider for Carpe Vino. . .especially the marvelous chardonnays produced from Lupe Maldonado’s fruit.  Recently, the family introduced a second label called “Farm Worker”, an obvious link to the clan’s heritage toiling in fields for others. . .and now their own estate.

The Farm Worker label—which includes a red wine—provides an opportunity for fans to enjoy Maldonado wine at a friendlier price point.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Color: golden Asian pears.  On the nose: clean and bright with aromas of white nectarine, citrus and orange blossoms.  On the palate: refreshing with crisp nectarine, Asian pear, green fig and honey dew.

Blend:  100% chardonnay

$34.99 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

From the winery website:  “Highflyer wines are inspired by my two passions: winemaking and aviation. As a private pilot, I am able to see AVAs throughout the Golden State from a unique perspective. From the window of my airplane, I can scout out interesting vineyards based on the unique characteristics of the vineyard topography and location. In a day, I can tour distant vineyard sites down state, meet with the vineyard management team…and be home in time for dinner. 

In 2003, Highflyer wines were born out of the idea that by using my hobby to support my work, I could attain my goal of making pure, distinctive, charismatic wines from fruit grown by the most qualified vineyard managers on sites best suited to each varietal.

Since then, the team and I have been taking this task quite seriously – building lasting relationships and honoring our commitment to deliver the vineyard in each bottle of wine.”  –Craig Becker

Becker is a graduate of U.C. Davis and oversees viticulture not only for Highflyer, but also for Priest Ranch and the Somerston Estate.

Winery Tasting Notes:   “In 2011 we produced only 21 barrels of Highflyer Pinot Noir from Doctor’s Vineyard.  The wine was aged for 12 months in 100% French oak, 20% of which was new barrels.  This vintage shows bright fruit flavors and the purity of cool climate pinot noir aromatics, with tiers of concentrated young cherry, cola, raspberry jam and red plum. Fleshy and full-bodied, the finish is lingering and delicious!”

Blend:  100% pinot noir

$70 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

DuMol produces a wine range of wines—from chardonnay to syrah to viognier, but the winery is especially appreciated for its single-vineyard pinots.  A darling of Robert Parker, DuMol’s pinots consistently score in the 90s, as does this month’s selection, which earned 92 points.

Andy Smith has been winemaker since 2000, and he works out of a nearly 20,000-square-foot winery that went online in 2005 capable of producing up to 20,000 cases per year.  The winery was launched in 1996 by partners Michael Verlander, Kerry Murphy and Smith.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Light golden color; Rich full aromas of tangerine, ripe stone fruits, oatmeal, vanilla, a fresh spearmint edge with faint ginger and truffle notes. Very powerful stone fruit entry, lemon oil, saffron, nutmeg and pineapple. Rich weighty mid palate with sweet lime and lemongrass. Racy acidity picks up back end with length and persistence. Building almond flavor to the finish. Serve no cooler than 55 degrees. Drink between 2012 and 2016.”

Wine Advocate Review (92 points):   “. . .a beautiful, focused wine.  It possesses the textural richness that is typical of the Clare Hyde Vineyard, but with quite a bit of minerality and freshness as well.  Clean saline notes frame this nicely delineated finish.  This parcel was planted with Wente clones 17 years ago.  Anticipated maturity:  2014-2021.

$34.99 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

From the winery website:  “Highflyer wines are inspired by my two passions: winemaking and aviation. As a private pilot, I am able to see AVAs throughout the Golden State from a unique perspective. From the window of my airplane, I can scout out interesting vineyards based on the unique characteristics of the vineyard topography and location. In a day, I can tour distant vineyard sites down state, meet with the vineyard management team…and be home in time for dinner. 

In 2003, Highflyer wines were born out of the idea that by using my hobby to support my work, I could attain my goal of making pure, distinctive, charismatic wines from fruit grown by the most qualified vineyard managers on sites best suited to each varietal.

Since then, the team and I have been taking this task quite seriously – building lasting relationships and honoring our commitment to deliver the vineyard in each bottle of wine.”  –Craig Becker

Becker is a graduate of U.C. Davis and oversees viticulture not only for Highflyer, but also for Priest Ranch and the Somerston Estate.

Winery Tasting Notes:   “In 2011 we produced only 21 barrels of Highflyer Pinot Noir from Doctor’s Vineyard.  The wine was aged for 12 months in 100% French oak, 20% of which was new barrels.  This vintage shows bright fruit flavors and the purity of cool climate pinot noir aromatics, with tiers of concentrated young cherry, cola, raspberry jam and red plum. Fleshy and full-bodied, the finish is lingering and delicious!”

Blend:  100% pinot noir