An Abandoned Chateau In Napa Valley Gets New Life

In Whetstone Wine Cellars’ sunny 19th-century courtyard, our host guided us through a classic tasting. The Stones, Fleetwood Mac, and other 70s music icons played in the background. It was a perfect fall day, clear and crisp, with no humidity. The company was congenial, and the wine superb. It was the kind of day that has likely caused many impetuous declarations of an immediate move to Napa Valley. It certainly influenced me.

Off-The-Beaten-Path at Whetstone Wine Cellars

Unlike most winemakers in Napa Valley, Jamie Whetstone, owner and winemaker at Whetstone Wine Cellars,  is not growing Bordeaux varietals. A free spirit, Jamie has made a name for himself growing Rhone varietals and Pinot Noir. Jamie arrived in Napa in 2002 planning to stay for a year and then returning to his home in South Carolina to open a restaurant. He was also working for noted winemaker Larry Turley at the time. As often happens the wine life called to him. I’m mighty glad he stayed.

From the website:

“Whetstone is a small, family-owned, luxury wine brand located in the heart of the Napa Valley. We specialize in Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs, Carneros Chardonnay, cult-favorite Russian River Valley Viognier, and Napa Valley Syrah.”

 Designed by Hamden W. McIntyre, who also designed Chateau Montelena in Calistoga, the chateau had been abandoned for fifteen years.  Although the winery had been neglected, Michelle and Jamie recognized that the bones were intact and purchased the chateau in 2011.

Jamie and Michelle wanted a place where they could nurture a community in a warm and stylish environment.

The tasting room opened two and a half years after they purchased the property. Michelle’s exquisite design sensibility is seen everywhere; the chateau is the perfect setting for sharing their excellent wines.  With the original stone fireplace, dark wood beams, and rustic but elegant furniture, the Whetstones achieved their vision.

The Classic Tasting

Michelle guided us through the tasting, which came with detailed notes from winemaker, Jamie. The tasting consisted of four wines. Except for the Syrah, the vineyards are all located in Sonoma County, where the cooler climate is better suited to Pinot Noir and Viognier. See my guide to exploring wine country in Sonoma County for more info. 

The Whetstone Wine Cellars Wines

2014 Viognier, Catie’s Corner
The clone for this Viognier comes from Condrieu, a town in the northern Rhone Valley of France, once the only place Viognier was found. Catie’s Corner vineyards are located in the Russian River Valley and are sustainably farmed.
This is 100% Viognier. Wonderful! It has all the usual traits of a truly good Viognier – very aromatic with intense white floral notes. Ripe stone fruits on the palate, full-bodied, with a long finish. 

2014 Pinot Noir, Jon Boat Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
This Pinot is a blend of grapes from several Sonoma Coast appellations. It is a very juicy, fruit-forward Pinot Noir. It’s also a favorite at The French Laundry and Angele restaurants in Napa.

2013 Pinot Noir, Pleasant Hill, Russian River Valley – A complex wine with floral, ripe fruit notes on the nose and secondary notes of forest floor and mint. On the palate, I tasted cherries and blueberries. This wine was very fine and had a long finish.

2013 Syrah, Phoenix Ranch, Napa Valley
The Phoenix Ranch vineyards are located at a cooler site in Napa Valley and are farmed biodynamically. The Syrah is a beautiful wine, dark purple, with a big nose of cherry and cassis. Long finish with smooth tannins. That said, I would have liked some food with this—perhaps a nice lamb stew.

To learn more about these wines, read Jamie’s extensive tasting notes.

Every one of the Whetstone Wine Cellars wines was exceptional, just as Jamie planned.

The classic tasting is $40.00 and is by appointment only. Keep in mind that these wines are made in very small lots. For example, only 228 cases of Syrah were produced. If you find something you love, buy it. Or, become a wine club member and have it automatically shipped to you.

You don’t have to visit Whetstone to order their wines, but if you’re in Napa, I recommend setting an appointment. Relaxing in the hospitality of Jamie and Michelle is a real treat and one of those experiences that exemplify the good life.

If you go:

Whetstone Wine Cellars
1075 Atlas Peak Road
Napa, California
707-254-0600
www.whetstonewinecellars.com

Thanks to Downtown Napa for sponsoring a visit to Whetstone Wine Cellars