My last trip to Napa included a stop at Vincent Arroyo Winery located at 2361 Greenwood Ave., Calistoga. I would have never thought to stop at this quaint winery if it weren’t for a suggestion from a tasting room associate during my prior stop. Just as I enter through the plastic slats hung on the entrance to the tasting/barrel room, the skies opened up and it started to hail. This was quite a rare occurrance for the wine valley and all the more reason to elongate my visit.
After I made my way inside, three people greeted me as other visitors made their way through the stacks. Vince happened to be standing at the front of the room and offered to personally take me for a barrel tasting. There really is no better experience (unless that is, I had a round of gouda and a loaf of french bread). He took me through every varietal, asking what I wanted to taste and what I wanted to avoid. I even tried some that were out of my normal tasting range (ie white vs red wines).
After a couple thrilling hours I headed toward the front and bought a few bottles. They only had a few to choose from as their limited production is mostly sold via futures and were long gone by the time I got there. I walked out with four bottles in a carrying box, happy with my purchase and my visit.
As I sit here, sipping on my glass of Vincent Arroyo 2005 Petit Syrah, I happily remember my visit and am glad that the bottle of wine is as complex and vivid as my initial experience. That is, after all, why I and many others enjoy wine and the memories its taste produces.
