Napa Valley Prichard Hill® Pioneer: Chappellet Winery
A Tasting and Interview with Dominic Chappellet
One of the hidden treasures of Napa Valley, Chappellet Winery sits on the eastern hills of Napa in an elevated area called Prichard Hill. Prichard Hill is home to some of the most cherished and cult labels (think Ovid, Colgin, Continuum, Chappellet) of Napa and boasts views of Lake Hennessy from an elevation of nearly 2000 feet. Donn and Molly Chappellet brought their young family to Napa in search of a special property. They were the pioneers of Prichard Hill who bought this land in 1967 on the advice of the famous Napa winemaker/vintner, André Tcheleistcheff, then at Beaulieu Vineyard. The elevation and well-drained soils, although expensive to clear, make all the difference for the production of powerful, ultra-premium Cabernet Sauvignon wines, among other varieties.
The Chappellet’s trademarked the name “Pritchard Hill®” to be forever linked to being the early stewards of this valuable vineyard area. Molly Chappellet, a renowned landscape artist, and James Beard, an award-winning author, oversees the usage of the land and property insuring integration into the beauty of the Pritchard Hill landscape. The Chappellet’s have honored the integrity of Pritchard Hill with sustainable and environmentally conscience farming practices with 100% of the grapes grown on the estate vineyard coming from vineyard blocks farmed using organic methods.
An Interview with Dominic Chappellet
I recently interviewed second generation family member Dominic Chappellet, who grew up on Prichard Hill. He works with national and direct sales to implement and oversee the sales strategies and goals for Chappellet. This was my third visit to Chappellet Winery, and I always recommend a private tasting at Chappellet to friends and colleagues as one of my favorites in all of Napa Valley.
Question: Tricia Conover, Wine Wanderings
Pritchard Hill has turned out to be a special place to grow premium wine grapes. Can you tell Wine Wanderings readers why your family (as the first pioneers there) chose this site?
Answer: Dominic Chappellet
When researching sites, my father determined that hillside vineyards would provide the best opportunity to make long-lived, world-class Cabernet Sauvignon.
Question: Tricia Conover, Wine Wanderings
How did you and your business “pivot” because of the Pandemic and Post-Fire issues? (Example answers: Virtual Tastings, Charities, Fire clean up, etc.)
Answer: Dominic Chappellet
We spent a lot of time contacting existing customers by phone and email and set up numerous virtual tasting and webinars to keep our supporters engaged throughout the ever-changing landscape created by the pandemic.
Question: TC, Wine Wanderings
Which of your wines are drinking particularly well this Spring? What are you drinking this week? Month?
Answer: Dominic Chappellet
I always enjoy our Chenin Blanc during the warmer months, but of course our Signature Cabernet is a great accompaniment to summer BBQs.
Question: (TC, Wine Wanderings)
What was your “Wine AH-HA Moment?"
Answer: Dominic Chappellet
Well, when I was around 18 my father opened a bottle of 1929 Margaux. I had tasted quite a few wines with my father over the years but that one stuck out. It was an echo of what it had once been but there was a beauty and elegance that was undeniable and a sense of history that was poignant, immersive, and unforgettable.
Question: (TC, Wine Wanderings)
What is your favorite quote about wine?
Answer: Dominic Chappellet
“Wine is sunlight held together by water” -Galileo
Best of Tasting: Chappellet Winery
Thanks to Chappellet’s highly knowledgeable wine ambassador, Peter Riemers, for conducting my recent tour and tasting. Bid him “Good Luck” as he preps for his WSET level 3 wine exams. These were my favorites of this extensive tasting:
2018 Chappellet Napa Valley Merlot, $50
Wine Spectator, 92 Points
One of my top 5 Merlot’s in Napa Valley. This Merlot has a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Petit Verdot and screams of mocha aromas.
Chappellet Hideway Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, $145
By allocation only (If you are going to join an allocation list, put this at the top.)
Wine Advocate, 94 Points
This wine would be a great pairing with Cambozola cheese and a Ribeye steak.
2017 Chappellet Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, $235
Decanter Magazine, 95 Points
This was my Best of Tasting.
By allocation only (If you are going to join an allocation list, put this also at the top.)
This wine spends 22 months in 100% New French oak. The dark chocolate, graphite, and black current aromas and flavors knocked me out. You will want to decant this wine for 30 minutes prior to serving. Fabulous.
2019 Chappellet Grower Collection Viognier, $35
By allocation only (If you are going to join an allocation list, put this at the top.)
I am a huge Viognier fan and Chappellet does it so well. The grapes are grown in the cooler Carneros region, Cold Creek Vineyard, with a terroir of gravel soils and cool breezes off the San Pablo Bay. The extremely aromatic layers of apricot, tropical flowers, and spice beg you to take a sip.
2020 Chappellet Chenin Blanc, $40
This is a signature white wine for Chappellet and has a long history of being grown on Pritchard Hill, one of the few Chenin’s in Napa Valley. This Chenin features aromas of Meyer lemon and citrus blossom and flavors of melon with an undercurrent of minerality.
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