Tasting Chardonnay in Napa Valley

Total Trail Miles: 61.9

Chardonnay is a green skinned varietal that originates from the Burgundy region in eastern France and currently the most widely planted grape in California. Neutral at its core, Chardonnay leans toward the flavors of apple, pear, lemon, butter, vanilla and oak depending on the style.

Start the day on the eastern side of the valley just past Lake Hennessy on Sage Canyon Road. Neyers has been making a broad range of wine since 1992 and currently produces organically grown whole cluster pressed Chardonnay in four different offerings. Their '304' is aged in 100% stainless, crisp, fresh and loaded with flavor. Work your back toward the floor and make a right at the Silverado Trail.

Continue north for another eight miles and make a left at Bale Lane. Cross the floor, make a left at Highway 29 and continue south until you reach the Bale Grist State Park entrance. Follow the winery's directions from this point foward. Stony Hill is one of Napa's older continuously functioning wineries and from our perspective a real gem. Taste Stony Hill's signature flinty, citrus charged Spring Mountain Chardonnay and two other elegant whites while enjoying spectacular views of the valley below.

Head back down to Highway 29 and continue south to the Oakville Grade Road, make a right and then left at Mt. Veeder Road. Continue south along this meandering mountain grade until you reach Lokoya Road on the right, the entrance to Mayacamas Winery sits a half a mile in on a partially paved road. If it feels rustic up here, it should - you are at the top of Mount Veeder on the edge of a dormant volcano crater. Mayacamas makes a well-structured age-able mountain fruit Chardonnay that is rich in citrus and like Stony Hill, unique to the valley. Delicious.

Final stop, HdV. Continue south along Lokoya until your reach Redwood, make a left and follow the road east as it turns into Trancas. HdV is on the left about one and one half miles past the Highway 29 overpass. What this winery lacks in aesthetics is make up in taste and substance. HdV is the collaboration of two families, countries, appellations and styles using Hyde Ranch Carneros fruit to make exceptional Chardonnay at the southern border of Oak Knoll.

Dine at Celadon in Napa. 707) 254-9690.

Neyers | Napa Valley AVA