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He has an incredible breadth of knowledge about the winery, I pick his brain in front of a beautiful fountain about history, property, grapes, origin, sales, architecture, staff, food and nothing fazes him.
V. Sattui has a long lineage beginning with Vittorio Sattui who was an Italian winemaker whom arrives in San Francisco in 1882. His reputation of his wines grew quickly and he established a commercial location in the Napa Valley town. The business rapidly grew and became known as the V.Sattui Wine Company. In the 1920s, the prohibition hit and the business lay dominant for the next 60 years.
Dario Sattui, saw an opportunity and deliberately equipped himself with the skills and knowledge to properly enter into the wine industry. Armed with a business plan, he sought out prospective investors. With great struggles, the winery finally opened for business.
Reminiscent of his previous life in Europe, Dario established the V. Sattui’s Cheese Shop and Deli, mimicking the small, family-run neighborhood deli’s where he use to live. Business began to grow, with pains mind you, but today the property houses a bustling tasting room, cheese and deli and gift shop on top of 556 acres that it Dario slowly acquired, allowing V. Sattui Winery to supply over 85% of its grape needs from five distinct microclimates. “The production and retailing concept offers insight into the reasons for V. Sattui Winery’s success.”
We begin the tour of the deli. The deli is bustling. Cheese samples, cold cuts, sandwiches, olive oil, meats, pastas, are artfully displayed. All gourmet. A classic marketplace, the deli is one of the Winery’s main unique attractions. Adjacent to the deli is the tasting room. Among the largest in Napa allowing enthusiasts to sample and purchase over 40 wines. Eight POS, (point-of-sale) stations cheerfully beep as congenial staff offers assistance to any lost souls.
The property trains their staff well. Very well. In fact, at times they hire outside elite consultants who are specialize in wine sales to train staff members. Controlled chaos is a beautiful thing and would make any entrepreneur smile with glee. We dodge between visitors and move our way towards the exit and continue our tour.
Shaded picnic tables hug the deli and visitors s take the afternoon to sit, relax and enjoy artfully crafted high quality sustenance with a bottle of fine wine with family and friends.
We enter into the Winery building. Each room has a purpose. We are shown a cocktail/bar/lounge area which would host a nice small intimate event and continue our tour tiptoeing through a courtyard which is hosting a wedding rehearsal.
We are then led downstairs passing the fermentation and production facilities to a museum where we view the ancient tools which brought life to the fine wine I am tasting today.
We continue through a series of rooms each becoming more and more exclusive and defining your status as a member. A beautiful, dimly lit barrel room, which can be rented for an intimate event, has oak barrels, which are stacked on top of one another as a backdrop.
We then visit a room with a large dark wood table, an 18 top I believe, that any high-powered executive would want to close a deal in this room and then open up a meaty Syrah for a modest celebration of a job well done.
Next, we are then taken to the member’s only tasting room. The Private Cellar Club membership allows you access to the underground Cellar Club, private tours and tastings allowing up to 3 guests to taste free of charge, along with exclusive rights to purchase futures when available, along with quarterly newsletters, discounts and invitations to private parties.
The Private Cellar hosts a few families and soon-to-be married couples whom fill the dim room with chatter and laughter. There we are introduced to Lillia whom has been with V. Sattui for about 20 years. Just as long as Robert, and she loves her job.
We begin with the Sauvignon Blanc (which oddly becomes by favorite along with the Cabernet) and continue the transition from white to red. Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Madeira. Time has stood still or has been lost. I have two more wineries that I don’t even care to visit. I just want to be amongst knowledgeable and friendly people. Robert drifts off to take care of his presidential duties and comes back smoothly entering into conversation with ease and grace.
Eventually it is time to enter the daylight, but Robert won’t let us leave without sustenance. A picnic table with a sign marked Reserved awaits us. He grabs each of us a glass of the Merlot and Pinot Noir with a decadent chicken pesto sandwich, which dissolves on our tastes buds alongside a gourmet cold pasta salad that contains olives, peppers, onions, and artichoke hearts finishing with walnut fudge chocolate bar and grapes.
What, can I say, who wouldn’t recommend this place?
Contact:
V. Sattui Winery
1111 White Lane
St. Helena, CA 94574
T: 707. 963.7774
Notes: Hours: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - - Tasting $5
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