With a Napa Valley winemaking history that dates back to 1948, the Trinchero family has gained an exceptional international reputation for producing fine small lot wines. Through the years, they have acquired a series of small vineyard sites in specific areas of the Napa Valley, targeted for their uniqueness. Trinchero Napa Valley now draws its grapes from seven distinctive vineyard sites in five of the valley’s designated appellations, and produces its wines in a new estate located just north of downtown St. Helena. The wines are showcased in a remodeled farmhouse, which dates back to the mid-1800s. It honors its founder, Mario Trinchero, who laid the foundation for what is now one of the nation’s most successful family businesses.
The profound effect that terroir has on the flavor of wine can be readily appreciated with a visit to the Trinchero Napa Valley tasting room. Walk-up tastings are available daily, but the winery also offers daily seminars that provide a more in- depth and personal introduction.
Cabernet Sauvignon aficionados enjoy A Taste of Terroir, a horizontal tasting of four Trinchero Napa Valley single-vineyard Cabernets from St. Helena, Rutherford, Atlas Peak, and Mt. Veeder. In this side-by-side evaluation, one becomes more aware of the differences in each of these valley appellations and learns how a vineyard’s site can impact the aroma and flavor of a wine in the glass. Another enlightening daily opportunity is a sit-down tasting conducted in the cellar room of the winery’s Hospitality Center and includes a selection of cheeses chosen by the winery’s culinary team.
Happily, those not planning to visit the Napa Valley soon don’t need to wait to taste the estate wines of Trinchero Napa Valley. The winery’s Legacy Club provides regularly scheduled shipments of Trinchero wines four times a year. With a Napa Valley legacy of more than 60 years, the Trinchero name is synonymous with the evolution of the Napa Valley as one of the world’s most prestigious wine growing regions.
T&T: Your wines receive a lot of 90-plus point scores. Is this meaningful to you?
MM: Yes. It always feels good to have approval from one’s peers. It makes the Trinchero Family happy, and, as a winemaker, it’s the only report card I get. It makes me feel like I did my job well. But, I don’t make wines with a score in mind. I make wines that I enjoy drinking. It’s nice when the critics agree.
T&T: Why do you say that Meritage is one of your favorite wines to make?
MM: I love to make vineyard-designate wines where terroir is the focus. One can taste how Cabernet Sauvignon from St. Helena is completely different from Cabernet Sauvignon from Atlas Peak or Mt. Veeder. It is very educational, but my hands are tied: 95 percent of the grapes must come from the specified vineyard. Meritage allows me the freedom to “use all the crayons in the box.” Given all the components, I construct a wine as if I had to drink it for the rest of my life. Therefore, it’s approachable and versatile with lots of layers of complexity. It’s the most fun to make because it’s more my personality and less terroir driven.
T&T: Trinchero has an amazing selection of prime Napa Valley estate vineyards. Have you learned from working with their fruit?
MM: Working mostly with vineyard-designate Cabernet Sauvignon, I’ve learned how important terroir is. I make four vineyard-designated Cabernet Sauvignon wines. All are 100 percent variety and 100 percent vineyard designate. They are all grown by Trinchero, with the same viticultural philosophies, made at the same winery with similar winemaking practices. But, each one has its own unique profile. So, for me, when someone says, “I like Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon,” it doesn’t clarify much. Some Cabs can be big/extracted, others soft and approachable. Grapes take on many different personalities in wine form. The most influential variable is terroir.