The short path from the parking lot to the charming Victorian house that hold St. Clement Vineyards’ tasting room is steep but worth every step. The landmark Napa Valley estate, established in 1878 by the San Francisco stained glass merchant Fritz Rosenbaum, was one of the first bonded wineries in the Napa Valley. St. Clement’s newest chapter began in 1976 when another glass expert, local ophthalmologist William Casey, bought the house and built a 10,000-case stone winery in the backyard
St. Clement Vineyards has built its modern day legacy from long-term relationships with some of the best winegrowers in the Napa Valley including Howell Mountain, Mount Veeder, and Rutherford. These relationships represent half of the Napa Valley’s 33 different soil series and 100 different soil variations, which translate into an amazing palate of flavors and tannin structures.
Tastings at St. Clement offer a fascinating exploration of both Napa terroir and winemaking. Single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons highlight the unique terroirs of top vineyard sites, while the Oroppas and the Oroppas Reserve wines draw from a collection of top winegrowers to inform the blend each vintage. Growers in six unique Napa Valley sub-appellations, including Diamond Mountain, Howell Mountain, Mount Veeder, and Rutherford, contribute to this wine. As a result, Oroppas is a rich, opulent Bordeaux-style blend that emphasizes concentration, depth, and velvety tannins. When the first vintage of Oroppas was released in 1991, it quickly became a style icon for the winery, noted for its consistent flavor profile and tannic structure. The wine has earned 90-plus scores every year since its vintage. In 2012, Winemaker Matt Johnson discerned a few select superlative barrels in the Oroppas blend, thus initiating the limited Reserve bottling. Today, St. Clement continues to build on its legacy of highly respected, small lot Napa wines.
The beautifully situated Victorian house is the focal point of any visit to St. Clement. Weather permitting, guests are invited to sit on the outside terrace and enjoy the gorgeous view of the valley and Howell Mountain. All tastings are seated and, therefore, reservations are recommended.
For more information, please visit: stclement.com