Sequoia Grove Winery: A Guide to Napa Valley's Best Wines

Sequoia Grove Winery is a renowned winery located in the heart of Napa Valley, California. Founded in 1979, the winery has been producing award-winning wines for over four decades. Sequoia Grove Winery is committed to sustainability and quality, reflecting a true sense of place and a full circle approach to winemaking.

The winery offers a wide range of elegant and approachable wines that are balanced and food-friendly. From Cabernet Sauvignon to Chardonnay, Sequoia Grove Winery's diverse portfolio of wines caters to all tastes and preferences. Visitors can enjoy a sensory journey, a harmonious symphony, or a seasonal celebration of exceptional wines and culinary delights at Sequoia Grove Winery. The winery's estate, philosophy, and wines reflect a connection to the Coast Redwoods, making it a unique and unforgettable experience for wine enthusiasts.

History and Legacy

Founding of Sequoia Grove

Sequoia Grove Winery was founded in 1979 by Jim Allen, a former insurance executive who was looking for a change of pace. After purchasing the property, Allen enlisted the help of his brother Steve to manage the 24-acre vineyard. The winery was bonded in 1980, the same year as their first vintage. The Allens quickly established themselves as producers of high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, winning critical acclaim for their wines.

Kopf Family Era

In 2002, the Kopf family purchased Sequoia Grove Winery from the Allens. The Kopfs continued the tradition of producing high-quality wines while also expanding the winery's offerings to include Merlot, Syrah, and other varietals. The family invested heavily in the winery, building a new barrel room and renovating the tasting room. Today, Sequoia Grove Winery remains a family-owned business, with the Kopf family committed to continuing the legacy established by Jim Allen.

Notable Winemakers

Over the years, Sequoia Grove Winery has been fortunate to work with some of the most talented winemakers in the industry. The winery's first winemaker was Andre Tchelistcheff, a legendary figure in Napa Valley who is often credited with helping to establish the region's reputation for producing world-class wines. Other notable winemakers who have worked at Sequoia Grove Winery include Michael Trujillo, who helped to establish the winery's reputation for producing high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon, and Molly Hill, who has overseen the winery's winemaking operations since 2013.

Vineyards and Terroir

Sequoia Grove Winery is situated in the heart of Rutherford, one of the most famous appellations in Napa Valley. The winery's vineyards are spread across the Rutherford Bench, a narrow strip of land that is renowned for producing some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in the world.

Rutherford Appellation

The Rutherford Appellation is known for its unique terroir, which is characterized by its warm, dry climate and well-drained soils. The area is also known for its gravelly loam soils, which are rich in nutrients and minerals, and provide excellent drainage for the vines.

Single Vineyard Focus

Sequoia Grove Winery has a strong focus on single-vineyard wines, which are made from grapes that come from a single vineyard. The winery's single-vineyard wines are carefully crafted to reflect the unique terroir of each vineyard, and are highly sought after by wine enthusiasts.

Soil and Weather Conditions

The soil and weather conditions in Rutherford are ideal for growing Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, which are the backbone of Sequoia Grove's wines. The area's well-drained soils and warm, dry climate provide the perfect conditions for the grapes to ripen slowly and develop complex flavors and aromas.

Overall, Sequoia Grove Winery's vineyards and terroir are a key component of the winery's success. The winery's focus on single-vineyard wines and the unique terroir of the Rutherford Appellation have helped to establish Sequoia Grove as one of the premier wineries in Napa Valley.

Wine Portfolio

Sequoia Grove Winery offers a wide range of elegant and approachable wines that are balanced and food-friendly. Their wine portfolio includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay selection, red and white varietals, reserve and limited editions.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Sequoia Grove Winery's Cabernet Sauvignon is a signature wine that showcases the best of Napa Valley. The wine is rich and complex with flavors of blackberry, cassis, and vanilla. It is aged in French oak barrels for 18 months, which imparts a subtle oakiness and enhances the wine's structure and complexity.

Chardonnay Selection

Sequoia Grove Winery's Chardonnay selection is a perfect example of a well-balanced Chardonnay. The wine is aged in French oak barrels for 10 months, which gives it a creamy texture and subtle notes of vanilla and toast. The wine is refreshing with flavors of green apple, lemon, and pear.

Red and White Varietals

Sequoia Grove Winery's red and white varietals are a testament to the winery's commitment to crafting wines that are approachable and food-friendly. The winery offers a wide range of varietals, including Merlot, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, and Rose. Each wine is crafted with care and attention to detail, resulting in wines that are balanced and delicious.

Reserve and Limited Editions

Sequoia Grove Winery's reserve and limited editions are the pinnacle of their winemaking. These wines are crafted from the best grapes and aged in French oak barrels for an extended period to enhance their complexity and structure. The winery offers a limited number of these wines each year, making them highly sought after by wine enthusiasts.

In conclusion, Sequoia Grove Winery's wine portfolio is a testament to their commitment to crafting wines that are approachable and food-friendly. From their signature Cabernet Sauvignon to their reserve and limited editions, each wine is crafted with care and attention to detail, resulting in wines that are balanced and delicious.

Winemaking Philosophy

Sequoia Grove Winery's winemaking philosophy is centered around the belief that great wines are made in the vineyard. The winery's commitment to sustainable farming practices ensures that the grapes are of the highest quality, which is essential for producing wines that are expressive of Napa Valley's terroir.

Balance and Structure

Sequoia Grove's winemaking team strives to achieve balance and structure in every wine they produce. This begins in the vineyard, where the grapes are carefully tended to ensure that they reach optimal ripeness. The winemakers then use a combination of traditional and innovative techniques to create wines that are both elegant and complex.

The winery's flagship Cabernet Sauvignon is a perfect example of this philosophy in action. This wine is known for its balance of fruit, tannin, and acidity, which work together to create a wine that is both powerful and refined.

Innovative Techniques

While Sequoia Grove Winery has a deep respect for tradition, they are also committed to innovation. The winery's Winemaker Series is a perfect example of this. Each wine in this series is crafted by a different winemaker, who is given free rein to experiment with different techniques and grape varietals.

This approach has led to some truly unique and exciting wines, such as the 2018 Winemaker Series Chardonnay, which was aged in concrete eggs to create a wine that is both rich and textured.

Overall, Sequoia Grove Winery's winemaking philosophy is one of balance, structure, and innovation. By combining traditional techniques with modern innovation, the winery is able to produce wines that are both classic and cutting-edge.

Tasting Experiences

Sequoia Grove Winery offers a variety of tasting experiences, each designed to showcase the unique characteristics of their wines. Visitors can choose from a range of options, including the Winery Tasting Room, Wine and Food Pairing, and Private and Group Tastings.

Winery Tasting Room

The Winery Tasting Room is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and reservations are not required. Guests can enjoy a flight of five wines for $35 per person, which includes a complimentary Sequoia Grove Winery logo glass. Visitors can also purchase wines by the glass or bottle to enjoy on the outdoor patio.

Wine and Food Pairing

For a more immersive experience, the Wine and Food Pairing offers a selection of four small bites expertly paired with four Sequoia Grove wines. The pairing is available by reservation only and is priced at $65 per person. Guests can choose from a variety of seasonal menus that highlight the flavors of the region.

Private and Group Tastings

Private and Group Tastings are available for parties of six or more and can be customized to meet the needs of each group. These tastings are held in a private room and include a dedicated host who will guide guests through a selection of wines. Reservations are required, and pricing varies depending on the size of the group and the wines selected.

Overall, Sequoia Grove Winery offers a range of tasting experiences that cater to both casual visitors and wine enthusiasts. Whether guests are looking to sample a few wines or dive deeper into the world of wine and food pairing, there is something for everyone at Sequoia Grove.

Winery Exclusive Offerings

Sequoia Grove Winery offers exclusive wine club memberships, winery events, and tours.

Wine Club Membership

The Sequoia Grove Wine Club offers members access to exclusive wines, discounts on all purchases, and invitations to members-only events. Members can choose from three different club tiers, each with its own benefits and perks.

The club tiers are:

• Silver Club: Members receive quarterly shipments of three bottles of wine. They also receive a 15% discount on all purchases.
• Gold Club: Members receive quarterly shipments of six bottles of wine. They also receive a 20% discount on all purchases.
• Platinum Club: Members receive quarterly shipments of twelve bottles of wine. They also receive a 25% discount on all purchases.

Membership in the wine club is free, and members can cancel at any time.

Winery Events and Tours

Sequoia Grove Winery hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including wine tastings, food pairings, and winemaker dinners. These events are open to the public and provide guests with the opportunity to taste and learn about the winery's wines.

The winery also offers tours of its estate vineyards and winery. Visitors can choose from a variety of tour options, including a guided tour of the winery and barrel room, a vineyard tour and tasting, and a private tasting with a wine educator.

All tours and events require reservations, and guests are encouraged to book in advance to ensure availability.

Sequoia Grove Winery's wine club, events, and tours provide visitors with a unique and immersive experience that showcases the winery's commitment to quality and craftsmanship.

Sustainability and Community

Sequoia Grove Winery is committed to sustainability and community involvement. They recognize the importance of preserving the environment and giving back to the community.

Environmental Stewardship

As a Napa Green Certified Winery, Sequoia Grove implements over 100 sustainability measures to reduce their carbon footprint, conserve water, and reduce waste. They utilize solar panels to generate electricity, recycle all materials possible, and use drip irrigation to conserve water. Sequoia Grove also partners with 1% for the Planet, an organization that connects dollars and doers to accelerate smart environmental giving. Through this partnership, they donate 1% of their sales to environmental causes.

Sequoia Grove also recognizes the importance of preserving the iconic sequoia trees. They have donated $35,000 to Save the Redwoods League in support of its mission to protect and restore California's most iconic trees.

Community Involvement

Sequoia Grove Winery is committed to giving back to the community. They are involved in various philanthropic efforts and donate to local organizations. They have partnered with the Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition to support the development of a 47-mile walking and biking trail system in the Napa Valley.

Sequoia Grove also hosts events to support local organizations, such as the Napa Valley Film Festival. They also offer internships to students interested in the wine industry, providing them with valuable experience and knowledge.

Overall, Sequoia Grove Winery's commitment to sustainability and community involvement sets them apart as a responsible member of the wine industry.

Visiting Sequoia Grove

Planning Your Visit

Planning a visit to Sequoia Grove Winery is a must-do activity for any wine enthusiast visiting Napa Valley. Located along the popular St. Helena Highway, the winery offers a range of tasting experiences that are sure to delight both newcomers and seasoned wine drinkers alike.

To ensure the best experience possible, visitors are encouraged to make reservations ahead of time. Reservations are currently required to visit the winery, and can be made by calling the Concierge at 707-339-5757 or emailing concierge@sequoiagrove.com. Same-day reservations may be honored in some cases, so it's always worth checking with the Concierge even if you haven't planned ahead.

Tastings at Sequoia Grove typically last 90 minutes, and the last reservation available is at 3:30 p.m. The winery is open Wednesday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Local Accommodations

For those traveling from out of town, there are plenty of local accommodations available in the Napa Valley area. Some popular options include the Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer, the Meadowood Napa Valley resort, and the Solage, an Auberge Resort.

Nearby Attractions

In addition to visiting Sequoia Grove Winery, there are plenty of other attractions to explore in the Napa Valley area. Wine lovers may want to check out the nearby Robert Mondavi Winery or the Beringer Vineyards, both of which offer tastings and tours. The Napa Valley Wine Train is also a popular option for those looking to explore the area while enjoying a delicious meal and some local wines.

For those interested in outdoor activities, the Bothe-Napa Valley State Park is just a short drive away from Sequoia Grove. The park offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and campsites, making it a great option for a day trip or overnight stay.

Overall, a visit to Sequoia Grove Winery is a fantastic way to experience the hospitality and beauty of the Napa Valley area. Whether you're a wine lover or just looking for a relaxing getaway, the winery's stunning property and friendly staff are sure to make your visit a memorable one.

Recognition and Awards

Sequoia Grove Winery has received numerous accolades and recognition for their exceptional wines. The winery was awarded "Winery of the Year" in 1988 and has continued to maintain an unwavering focus on quality.

Their Cabernet Sauvignon has been consistently praised by Wine Spectator, receiving an outstanding rating of 90 points or higher for over 30 vintages. In fact, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon was named one of Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of the year, receiving a score of 93 points.

Sequoia Grove Winery has also won the Best Tasting Room Award for the third time by Napa Valley Life's Best of Reader's Choice Award in 2023. The winery's excellence in providing visitors with an exceptional tasting experience has been recognized through this award.

In addition to these awards, Sequoia Grove Winery has received rave reviews from wine critics and enthusiasts alike. Their 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon has been described as having "rich, dark fruit flavors with a smooth finish" by Wine Enthusiast. The 2017 Chardonnay has also been praised for its "bright acidity and balanced oak" by Wine Spectator.

Overall, Sequoia Grove Winery's commitment to producing high-quality wines has earned them numerous awards and recognition from industry experts and wine lovers alike.