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Coombsville: Napa Valley’s Hidden Gem of Elegance and Structure
Tucked into Napa Valley’s southeastern corner, Coombsville is a region that often flies under the radar—but those who know, know. This AVA (American Viticultural Area) has quietly built a reputation for producing some of Napa’s most refined and structured wines, thanks to its unique terroir and volcanic soils.

1. Start with Coffee (Or a Little Hair of the Dog)

If you're a morning person—or recovering from last night's wine tasting—head to OHM Coffee Roasters for a pastry and a perfectly brewed cup of coffee. If you prefer to start your day with something more robust, Napa Valley Distillery has you covered with craft spirits and cocktails that are more interesting than your average mimosa.

2. Stroll the Riverfront

The Napa Riverfront is one of the most scenic spots downtown. A casual stroll along the water offers great views and plenty of spots to sit and people-watch. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even rent a kayak or paddleboard at Enjoy Napa Valley and see the city from a different angle.

3. Visit the Oxbow Public Market

Oxbow Public Market is a must-stop for food lovers, with a collection of local vendors offering everything from fresh oysters to craft beer and artisanal chocolates. Grab a snack, sit outside, and enjoy the lively atmosphere. Pro tip: the fresh oysters from Hog Island and the English muffins from Model Bakery are non-negotiable.

4. Sip Some Wine (Duh!)

It wouldn't be a trip to Napa without some wine tasting, and there are plenty of places to do it downtown. But suppose you want to experience something extraordinary. In that case, visit us at Vintner's Collective | Napa Valley—our tasting room showcasing wines from 20 boutique producers that are hard to find outside of California. Plus, the team there knows their stuff and will make you feel like a VIP, whether you're a wine newbie or a full-fledged collector. (And hey, tell them Mike sent you—maybe they'll pour you something extra special.)

5. Indulge in a Fancy Dinner

Downtown Napa's dining scene is off the charts. You can't go wrong with a meal at TORC (modern California cuisine), Scala Osteria (innovative Italian), or Stateline Road Smokehouse, where 2025 James Beard Award Semi-Finalist and Kansas City native Darryl Bell's BBQ will feed your soul. Chef Darryl moved to California to join Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bistro and rose to the Executive Sous Chef position over seven years. He has quite a pedigree!

6. Catch Live Music or a Show

If you're in town in the evening, check out the lineup at Blue Note Napa, where you can sip wine and enjoy live jazz in an intimate setting. Or, if you want something more laid-back, head to Cadet Wine & Beer Bar, where they often have DJ sets and a fun, unpretentious vibe.

7. Wrap Up the Night with a Cocktail

End your evening at ArBaretum, a stylish cocktail lounge with an inventive drink menu that goes beyond the usual suspects. Or, if you're in the mood for a nightcap with a view, grab a seat on the rooftop at Sky & Vine and toast to a perfect day in Napa.

Bonus: Sleep It Off in Style

If you stay overnight, places like Archer Hotel or Napa River Inn offer comfort, charm, and easy access to downtown action.

Whether you're here for the wine, the food, or just the vibes, downtown Napa has plenty to offer. Just don't forget to swing by Vintner's Collective—because if you leave town without trying some of Napa's best small-production wines, did you even really visit Napa?

Fall is here, and we’re excited to see what gorgeous fruit our Vintners bring in for the 2023 vintage. We’re lucky to have had an extremely wet winter, and a long, mild growing season. 2023 has been Northern California’s coolest summer in over a decade, and most wineries report that their grapes are 2-3 weeks behind their normal harvest time. A long, cool growing season can be a boon, resulting in an outstanding vintage. Fingers crossed!

Manon and Kyle were married at Jacuzzi Vineyards in Sonoma, under gorgeous blue skies and surrounded by family and friends. It's hard to believe Manon was playing in the cold room at VC as a 3 year-old, and has grown up with Vintner's Collective. Our hearts are full!

Just as bud break was appearing on vines  across Napa Valley, we had the pleasure of visiting our friends in the heart of Coombsville at Covert Estate.   A beautiful retreat hidden on a south-eastern slope, the soil benefits from cooler temperatures thanks to a layer of fog from the San Pablo bay. We enjoyed a sampling of their stellar line up in the tasting room 'cave'. The interior of which boasts an impressive chandelier that pays homage to the history of the three families that came together to form the Estate. This collaboration between the Nicholson family, the Nestor family and winemaker Julien Fayard is reflected in the incredible wines we tasted. Thank you Covert! 

Welcome to the New Year! It's the first issue of 2023, and the word of the day is...RAIN! We're getting lot's of it! Members, there's an online version of the Notes in your account. Cheers to you!

This was an especially sentimental visit for us, having known Shirley and Charles since they started their winery in 1999. The couple have always worked so tirelessly to craft world-class wines and engage Napa Valley’s most sought-after winemaking consultants.  Planting the best Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot fruit in the blessed terroir of the sprawling 17-acre site they strived to make wine worthy of the Grands Crus de Napa Valley designation.

It’s a new day for the property, which survived Charles’ passing, and the 2017 fires which destroyed Shirley’s home. The proprietors Stephany Maillery and Stephan Crétier serve as stewards of the land, positioned at the cooler southern end of Napa just south of the renowned Stag’s Leap District.  Along with the team at Roy they set the highest expectations for themselves, the awareness and appreciation of the land is apparent in everything they do, which we love them for! The meticulous care and guidance of renowned winemaker Philippe Melka is praised by Shirley for his attention to detail and thorough understanding of the winemaking process.  Melka aims to minimize the technique and focus directly on the land and its unique qualities, showing the site through the wine and respecting the grapes. These are just some of the many reasons the Roy Estate is a celebrated and cherished part of the VC family!

We are so excited about their new building, which is gorgeous and the perfect compliment to the wines and the terroir. Here’s to a new era at Roy.

"Hanging out with Philippe Melka at Tench Estate, next to Screaming Eagle. Harvest is finally winding down! Philippe was tasting the progress of various wines in different barrels such as the Tusk 2022 wines, absolutely delicious by the way! The most successful varietal of the 2022 vintage seems to be the Petit Verdot, which weathered the heat spiked very well!" ---Garret Murphy

2022's last issue of the ClubNotes! Members, if you are looking for the fu ll version, you'll find it in your account under Our Wines/Club Member Tasting Notes.

"I followed Don Surh around at Cuvaison winery while he was working on the Las Bonitas fruit, sorting through all the berries and with the help of an optical sorter getting rid of imperfections, stems and leaves etc… then we proceeded to taste samples in the tanks and barrels, very hard work indeed!" ---Garret Murphy

Hot off the presses, our September | October ClubNotes! Members, if you are looking for the fu ll version, you'll find it in your account under Our Wines/Club Member Tasting Notes.