What to do in Chiles and Pope Valleys
By Paul Franson
Bayinsider Contributor
Wineries
Only Nichelini is open without appointments (and only on weekends). The others require notice
707-965-2675
North Pope Valley Road. A premium small winery. Open to serious visitors by appointment.
Brown Estates Vineyard
3233 Sage Canyon Road (Highway 128).
707-963-0179
Catacula Lake Winery
4105 Chiles Pope Valley Road.
707-226-9901
The Eagle & the Rose Winery
Pope Canyon Road. Serious undertaking including caves intending to make premium wines.
707-965-WINE
Pope Valley Cellars
6613 North Pope Valley Road.
707-965-1380
RustRidge Winery
2910 Lower Chiles Valley Road, St. Helena.
707-965-9353
Rates start at $150 per night, with discounts for three-night stays on weekdays.
RustRidge is a winery, B&B and thoroughbred ranch. Traveling up its narrow dirt driveway, you pass the quiet inn with its tennis court and pool, then continue around past horses to the small winery building.
You'll be greeted by friendly Bo and Buster, who expect a little petting as ransom for showing you the way. If no one is in the winery, either Jim or Susan will be along shortly.
Inside, the tasting nook lies past barrels of aging wines. Like most remote wineries, RustRidge provides a warm welcome. It sells most of its grapes, but make some excellent wines. This is primarily red wine territory, and their stars are Zinfandel and Cabernet. They also make Chardonnay.
Outside, there's a nice picnic area where you can enjoy the wines with your food. It would be prudent to call ahead. For groups sometime reserve it.
Nichelini Winery
2950 Sage Canyon Road, St. Helena.
707-963-0717
Historic family-owned Nichelini Winery is perched on the hillside with parking nuzzled under steep hillsides by the road.
The winery dates back to 1890 when a Swiss-Italian family moved there and planted grapes. The stone winery was built by founder Anton Nichelini, and it's been in the family ever since. There's also a historic old Roman press on display.
It’s a picturesque place to visit with outstanding picnic facilities and the friendly staff is likely to be members of the family.
One unusual wine made there is Sauvignon Vert, which is white, not green in spite of its name. It comes from Bordeaux, where it's called Muscadelle. A pleasant, light wine of no particular excitement, it recalls wines made in similar wineries in Switzerland and northern Italy. It's perfect for a picnic on a warm day.
The red wines include Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, plus Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Barbera that seem perfectly mated to the vineyards and atmosphere of the winery.
Green & Red Winery
707-965-2346
A premium, Zinfandel-only winery. Definitely by appointment only; when you call, they’ll tell you where they are!
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