Beaulieu Vineyards in Rutherford (Napa Valley), California is the winery that first got me interested in “real” wines. Back in 1989, we were living in Lodi, California – at that time known for White Zinfandel. That’s pretty much what I drank back then, since I didn’t like any of the red wines I had tried. I soon came to learn that I had only tried “cheap” (low quality) reds. That all changed when I decided to take a trip to Napa Valley. After asking around for advice, a number of my co-workers (a few of them even had their own vineyards) at General Mills said that Beaulieu Vineyards (BV) would be a great place to start, as they had a very wide variety of white and reds, and had been around for 90 years.
As I stepped inside the tasting room door, I was greeted by a lovely woman in a French/Colonial-style dress, who said to me “Welcome to Beaulieu Vineyards. Please have a glass of Chardonnay.” I felt like I was Darren Stevens (“Bewitched”), arriving home and being greeted by Samantha with a martini! I knew I had found something special. I wandered around the beautiful tasting room, sipping that Chardonnay and realized that there was much more to wine than White Zin. It was like drinking soft, clean, light melted butter. I was thinking… “If only I had a plate of lobster or some good Wisconsin Swiss Cheese right now…”
BV has a much storied history. Back in 1900, Georges De Latour bought four acres of land in Rutherford, determined to make wines that could compete with those of his homeland, France. His wife looked at the land, and declared it a beautiful place (beau lieu), and the name stuck. De Latour did two very smart things – he brought in disease-resistant roots from Europe to plant, and he got contracts to supply the Roman Catholic Church with wine for Communion. Because of this relationship, BV was the only winery allowed to remain open through Prohibition, as the church needed wine. Following Prohibition, Georges made one more significant decision. He went to France, and brought back André Tchelistcheff to take over the role of Winemaker. Tchelistcheff revolutionized how California wines were made, bringing a number of process improvements. However, when he tasted Georges De Latour’s 1936 “Private Reserve” Cabernet Sauvignon, André was so impressed, that he made this the BV premiere wine, and the first California cult classic wine – BV Georges de Latour Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was launched. To this day, these Cabs are considered the most collectible Cabernet Sauvignons in the U.S. I have my own collection of 20+ bottles of this wine, ranging from 1973 to the 94-point 2012. A t each of my first two children’s weddings (6 and 8 years ago), I shared a bottle of the 1997 “GDL” with my close friends.
Back in 2001-2002, when I really started my wine collection, BV was the first place I went to, and the first Wine Club I ever joined, after having their Reserve Tastings. It was then that I fell in love with their next most famous wine – their Bordeaux blend – “Tapestry.” “Tapestry” has been called “the most romantic wine in America,” and I totally agree. There is nothing better on a cold night than to have a roaring fire, a couple of prime filets, a couple of bottles of Tapestry, and the one you love! About six years later, on April 16, 2008 – in the Member’s Tasting Room, I proposed to Michelle while the Tapestry was being served! (I knew she couldn’t possibly say “no” while drinking that wine!) I also have a 20+ bottle collection of Tapestry back to 1995.
Although BV is considered to be a very large winery, you never really feel that way. They treat each of their guests as if they were their only customers. BV probably has the widest variety of wines and price ranges of any winery I know. From their Coastal Estates (~$6-$8) label, their Napa Valley (~$20) label, their Rutherford (~$32), Maestro (~$24-$75), Reserves (~$40-$70), Georges de Latour (~$85-$140) to their ultimate Clones (~$140-$195), there is a BV wine for everyone and for every occasion.
As an example, for my daughter’s wedding reception “pre-party,” I bought a case each of BV Coastal Estates Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, at $6.25 a bottle. They were all enjoyable and very drinkable wines. I had a few bottles left over, and saved them for 5-6 years, and they easily compared then to a $30+ wine.
When it comes to storing wines long-term, BV has some of the best, and most affordable collectable wines. The low-end wines can lay down for 6-8 years, while the GDL, Tapestry, and Clones will keep (under proper storage) for 20-50+ years! When you buy a bottle for $85, and enjoy it 30 years later when it drinks like a $500 bottle, you know it was a good “investment!” These wines take on a life of their own – slowly changing and improving over the years.
With Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Muscat Canelli, Chardonnay, Rose, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a number of delicious (and a few “fun”) blends, BV has wines that cover the spectrum. Occasionally, they have produced a Sparkling Chardonnay (a big hit on New Years’ Eve) and a delicious Port, and they also have one of my favorite dessert wines – Muscat de Beaulieu – a delicious apricot and honey sweet dessert wine ($24 – my first bottle ever was $8.50).
I cannot thank Beaulieu Vineyards enough for starting me on this wine journey. They took me as a novice and converted this former beer and White Zin drinker into a wine lover. For those just starting out, or those who know their wines well, this is a winery to visit often, to join, or to order from regularly. From every-day to special occasion wines, BV has it all, and is the best there is over the entire range of wines!
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Lastly… grab a glass of wine, and ENJOY!!!
