bv winery tour

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BV winery is a must-stop for Cabernet lovers. Choose from two tasting rooms and a variety of wine tasting options. Take the history-rich tour at Beaulieu Vineyard and discover why this is one of Napa Valley's best wineries.

Why You Want to Visit Beaulieu Vineyard

You'll be greeted at the visitor's center with a glass of wine to sip while discovering the inner workings of Beaulieu Vineyard, from vine to bottle. 

Take the history-rich tour followed by barrel tastings, plus a peek into Napa Valley's past in the new Heritage Room.

I can't emphasize this enough -- the tour guides and servers here are extremely friendly, informative and accommodating. Food and Wine magazine named BV "one of the best Napa Valley wineries to visit." I agree.

Called BV winery for short, this historic property has roots going back to Napa pioneer Georges de Latour, who founded this winery in 1900.

Georges de Latour started Beaulieu (pronounce it "bowl-you") Vineyard with the idea of crafting fine wines in Rutherford that would rival those of his native France. He certainly set the bar high. The BV winery continues to be one of Napa Valley's most distinguished wineries.

Here are two top-rated wines:

Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet , first produced in 1936, is the winery's flagship and the first-ever Reserve  wine to come from Napa Valley. Selected from the finest Cabernet Sauvignon vines, it has a rich texture, and blackberry and dark cherry flavors with aromas to match. This is a Cab that ages well and deserves a spot in every serious collector's wine cellar. Wine Enthusiast gives the 2018 vintage 97 points.

BV Reserve Tapestry blends five Bordeaux-style varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and a little Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec from their estates in Rutherford, Carneros and other appellations in Napa Valley. The result is an elegant expression of dark-red fruit, plush texture and chocolate-cherry truffle nuances for a rich, complex, layered wine. Wine Spectator rated the 2018 vintage 92 points.

BV Winery Tastings

BV offers a few options to suit visitors, from the curious to the connoisseur. You can count on knowledgeable and personable servers at Beaulieu Vineyard every time.

Taste fine cabs at the Cabernet Collector Tasting for $55. You'll enjoy a flight of five iconic current release wines.

Serious connoisseurs will be drawn to the Reserve Room, a more elegant setting for sampling Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet and other top Cabs for $130. You can also choose the Hewitt Vineyard Cabernet Tasting for $75 per person.

Check the BV website for the current tasting selections and prices. Beaulieu Vineyard winery now requires reservations for all tastings and tours. Wine club members will enjoy deep discounts on tastings, as well as occasional winery events.

When and Where

1960 St. Helena Hwy., Rutherford, CA 94573 * 707-257-5749 * www.bvwines.com

Open everyday 10am to 5pm, except major holidays. Make reservations for tours, all wine tastings, or groups of 15 or more.

• Napa Valley

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Beaulieu Vineyard

Review Highlights

“ Charlie was great in answering every question we had, and if he didn't know the answer, he went and got it! ” in 36 reviews

“ In regard to wine, we really enjoyed the Maestro Chardonnay, 2015 Tapistry and the 2016 George de Latour . ” in 27 reviews

“ The 2018 George was rated at 98, and while I'm no reviewer, the mouthfeel and lingering finish were spectacular. ” in 38 reviews

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1960 Saint Helena Hwy

Rutherford, CA 94573

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About the Business

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For more than 115 years, Beaulieu Vineyard has set the standard for crafting California wines that stand among the world's finest. Beaulieu's rich history and storied vineyards offer the visitor a unique opportunity to experience the finest of Napa Valley. The new Georges de Latour Private Reserve Winery utilizes the latest technology in tandem with time-honored traditions for the production of exceptional benchmark Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon. …

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Overall rating

488 reviews

Came here during our first trip to Napa and first getaway without the baby in 10 months. I made a reservation online and we chose to sit outside since the weather was nice at the time. We were warned about the fire station sirens which was nice because they were indeed loud but only went off for a brief moment. Grayson helped us out while there and he was amazing. He was kind and professional. He educated us about the history of BV and Cabernets in general. We was very attentive and always filled my water cup which I greatly appreciated. The wine was delicious and the patio was pretty. Inside was really nice as well we just wanted to enjoy the outdoors but I'm glad they offer both since it started raining later.

Such a pleasant experience! If you're looking for a bunch of awesome Cabernet, this is your spot! Came here for a wine tasting because my friend is a club member. Ryan was our Wine Club Specialist and he was super knowledgeable and awesome! We were in the Member Tasting room and it was amazing! The interior design is beautiful and we loved the service. Ended up buying 2 extra bottles. Come in and enjoy!

Corps de Latour Winter 2024

Napa visitors, This has got to be one of the must-sees while visiting wine country. BV, as it's commonly referred to, is one of the older wineries in Napa and drenched in history. What makes this place so unique, other than the fabulous wines, is the staff. We were fortunate to have Robert Garcia as our host, and he might be the most knowledgeable person in Napa. I think him growing up there and retiring there to start his journey at BV makes him invaluable. He's there a few days a week, so we're lucky to have him as our guide. (He's been with BV now for almost twenty years) The best part is while visiting Robert, he can fill you in on the other wineries owned by Treasury; I don't want to spoil the surprise, but look them up and get ready--the who's who in Napa. Robert makes you feel like family, which, combined with such delicious wine, makes for the perfect Napa trip.

Robert and George!

Business Employee

Nov 12, 2023

Thank you so much for the great review. I have shared with Robert and could not agree with you more, he is a gem. We are so happy you enjoyed the experience and hope to see you again soon. Cheers!

Recommended by a local. We stopped by. No appointment needed. Very welcoming, knowledgeable staff. Good wines. We enjoyed the pinot Grigio and Cabernet. The location is beautiful. Very simple and relaxing. Colorful landscape. It's like living in a postcard. A beautiful place to get away, relax, enjoy a glass of wine with great company and views. We had a relaxing time , enjoying wine and chats.

Oct 3, 2023

Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback and we will be sure to share with the team. I am thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your experience with us and we hope to see you again soon. Cheers!

Amazing experience at BV! Our host, Dan was fantastic and we had the pleasure of meeting the winemaker, Trevor Durling. Thank you BV!

Andre Tchelistcheff

Winemaker Trevor Durling

Feb 27, 2024

So excited you came in when you did and Trevor was there. Thank you for the wonderful feedback and it was great meeting both of you. I know we will see you again soon and hope you had an uneventful trip home!

I was told by a friend to go here. We had reservation for a birthday surprise. The service was not friendly, the ambiance was definitely nothing special. Their red wines are good but there are definitely other places to go in Napa where you can get great service, ambiance, and wine. Definitely would not go back. Was very disappointed and ultimately walking out. Will be canceling our club membership program.

If you want to be treated to a special experience, please do yourself a favor and check out Beaulieu. The history and ambiance of this place are noteworthy!! The guest service is so authentic and warm that I feel lucky to have experienced such a lovely spot. The wines are approachable and yet have that sophisticated feel of the luxury brands we dream of encountering. The standout was the George La Tour, but the Ranch 2 was also wonderful! Those were just our favorites. Please DM me if you are curious because I should have a bunch arriving home soon!!

Mar 17, 2023

Mondae thank you so much for the wonderful feedback. It was a pleasure meeting you both and we are thrilled that you enjoyed your time with us. Welcome to the BV Wine Club Family and hope to see you again soon. Cheers, Kerry

This is the most unprofessional treatment I have ever experienced at a winery. We made a reservation for 4pm on Sunday 11/27 and we called to say we'd be 15 minutes late. We arrived at 4:15pm and the brown-haired woman greeted us by emphasizing multiple times that they do last pour at 5pm no matter what. Ok, that's fine. After we sat down, she singled out one person in our four-person group to check her ID. She went inside with the ID and never came back until we asked for the ID back 20 minutes later. At this point it's 4:40 and we have not been poured our second wine yet. How do they expect us to taste four more wines by 5:00pm? She finally comes back and says that she cannot serve my friend more wines because her ID is suspicious, but she can serve the rest of us. My friend is 27 years old and has a perfectly valid New York state ID that she has never had an issue with at any establishment, including bars and TSA at the airport. I have absolutely no idea why she decided to single out my friend and deny her service. She did not even ID the rest of us - one of my friends was even younger (24 years old), so it makes absolutely no sense. We ended up leaving since our friend was refused service for no reason. The winery said they would refund us the cost of our tastings.

Dec 3, 2022

Thank you for the feedback, please know that this will be addressed with the team. I have also reached out directly with my contact information. Thank you again!

Excellent wine! Tasting was great! Highly recommend it! Loved the 2018 George de latour ! Awesome experience and best wine tasting of the day during our trip. All the wine we tasted was fine wine! Can't wait to go back!

Aug 26, 2023

Hi Evelyne! Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback and we are thrilled you enjoyed the wine and your visit with us at BV. We can not wait to see you on your next trip to Napa. Cheers, Kerry!

Dates Visited: Saturday, April 24th, 2021 at 4pm for a party of 3 Saturday, February 26th, 2022 at 11:30am for a party of 6 Cabernet Collector's Experience from 2021: $50 each 2017 Tapestry: Cabernet Blend 2017 Oakville: 100% Cabernet 2017 Ranch 1: 90% Cabernet, 10% Merlot 2017 Ranch 2: 100% Merlot 2017 George de Latour Private Reserve: 97% Cabernet, 3% Petit Verdot I've been here on two separate occasions. Once last year when my friend became a member and once yesterday for a bday outing. The experience in 2021 was great. My friend made a prepaid reservation (I believe online), we sat outside, got 30% off bottles of wine (for him joining), and all three of our tastings were comped. Walked away with the 4 bottles below. Our server was so much fun. Funny, personable, etc. We had a blast. Though I was toying with buying a 2017 Madame de Latour ($185 regular). They couldn't let me taste it, so I ended up passing. I didn't want to commit to such an expensive bottle without trying it first. (I have commitment issues! Lol!) 2017 George Latour Cabernet Sauvignon ($101.50 member, $145 regular) 2017 Ranch No 1 Maestro Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($66.50 member, $95 regular) 2017 Ranch No 2 Maestro Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($66.50 member, $85 regular) 2016 Maestro Reserve Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon ($52.50 member, $75 regular) This last time, I did not document as well, so no pix, etc. But we sat in a different area of the winery. We ended up inside across the way where members do their tastings. Since we were on a time crunch, we sat at the bar. Our tasting included one white and I believe three or four reds. I think they also poured us a bonus glass of one of the clones. Our server was wonderful and attentive. Again, I thought of buying the Madame, but we were running late to our next wine appointment, so I didn't ask about it. One of my favorite wineries where one of us is a member. One day, I will try that Madame Latour!

See all photos from Elena N. for Beaulieu Vineyard

Apr 4, 2022

Thank you so much for joining us at Beaulieu Vineyard and the positive feedback. The third time will be the charm for the Madame de Latour. We hope to see you all again soon. Cheers!

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Beaulieu Vineyard

Napa valley, california.

BV Winery has a strong history of growing grapes on some of the best vineyard sites in Napa Valley. It was established by Georges de Latour and his wife Fernande in 1900, setting the standard for quality and innovation producing high caliber wines.

The Beaulieu Vineyard winery and tasting room are located on Highway 29. It’s a historical building with a tasting room that’s designed to reveal their amazing experience with wine making and wine growing.

BV Premium Tasting Explore Beaulieu Vineyard's iconic history in Napa Valley while guiding guests through a selection of limited production wines. Seasonal Patio Tasting Enjoy your classic Napa Valley tasting on the lovely outdoor patio. Cabernet Collector Tasting This experience includes a flight of 5 iconic wines featuring both current and rare older vintage Clone 4 & 6 Cabernet Sauvignons and current vintage Georges de Latour.

Tasting Price: BV Premium Tasting - $30 Seasonal Patio Tasting- $30 Cabernet Collector Tasting- $50

Georges de Latour Personalized Legacy Experience Savor a customized flight of your favorite iconic Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon with our most elevated experience. For this experience, you choose from your favorite vintages and formats including our 1.5L magnums. Once you arrive, you will be taken on a private tour of our iconic Rutherford winery, spanning over 118 years of history, featuring our newly established Reserve Winery. After the tour, your host will guide you through your personalized flight of the Georges de Latour Private Reserve in a private setting to learn more about one of Napa’s most famous Cabernet Sauvignons.

Tasting Price: Georges de Latour Personalized Legacy Experience - $125 per person

Outdoor Patio

This winery is popular among visitors for its outdoor patio. Sip and swirl your wine while enjoying a beautiful patio setting.

Wine Tastings

This winery offers wine tastings on the property either by walk-in or appointment.

This winery offers wine tours on their property. Either of the winery facility, vineyards and/or cellar space.

Grape Varieties

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Muscat Canelli

Wine Styles

• Dry Red Wines
• Dry White Wines
• Red Wine Blends

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A Complete Tour of Beaulieu Vineyard, Napa

Although many will argue Beaulieu is no longer a top Cabernet producer, it plays a crucial role in Napa Valley’s history. The Private Reserve was one among a few top-quality wines produced in Napa Valley after George de Latour established Beaulieu at the historical heart of Rutherford. Andre Tchelistcheff was the winemaker from 1938 until his retirement in 1973. He is regarded as a legend by many modern pioneers in the region. The 1974 vintage is regarded by many as one of Napa’s finest ever and, despite being erratic due to two separate bottlings, it was still a remarkable wine.

Explore this guide...

History of the Estate

Georges de Latour, a French immigrant who became a winemaker, and his wife Fernande purchased their first Rutherford ranch back in 1900. At first viewing, Fernande declared that today’s Beaulieu Vineyard was a “beautiful spot”. The couple was among the very first to recognize the area’s potential for producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon.

With this vision in mind, Georges de Latour set about making wine fit to rival the very best produce of France. Early on, a nursery was established to cultivate rootstocks and these laid the foundation for a rapidly expanding vineyard. Indeed, Latour’s nursery once provided thousands of grafted vines to other California vineyards. De Latour employed wine expert Andre Tchelistcheff in the 1930s to help him evaluate Beaulieu’s wines and winemaking practices.

Together, they established a variety of methods that were adopted by other vineyards. Although they may be regarded as standard today, for a time many of these techniques were considered cutting edge. For instance, the pair realized the importance of managing heat during fermentation to avoid the destruction of delicate fruit notes. Furthermore, Beaulieu shunned American barrels in favor of French oak barrels in order to bring about more complex flavors in their wines.

Beaulieu Vineyard’s Private Reserve was essentially the genesis of the term “Cult Cab” within the valley, and it continues to be one of the most sought-after wines in the region.

Beaulieu is one of the Napa Valley’s oldest continuously operational vineyards. Its history is remarkable and weaves a story through many of the most important innovations in local winemaking.

In 1969, Beaulieu Vineyard was purchased by the rapidly expanding Heublein company. Under Heublein’s ownership, Beaulieu began to lose its quality and expanded aggressively into the wider market. It was sold again in 1987 and became one of Diageo’s labels. Finally, in 2016, the winery was sold to the current owner Treasury Wine Estates.

Although the tasting room is located in a historic building, the modern winery behind it more closely resembles a state-of-the-art production facility. There are plans to transfer all production (except the top-end wines) to Treasury’s main winery at Beringer, just north of Napa. This may serve as an indicator that the objective of Beaulieu is to refocus its efforts on only the finest of wines. Indeed, in 2017, Beaulieu introduced new labels to emphasize its status as a “Grand Cru” (French for “great growth”) producer.

Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernets used to be a standard-setter for all Californian producers. Nevertheless, Beaulieu is experiencing a strong recovery today. This comes perhaps in spite of the fact that, under Heublein, the vineyard increased overall production and sold key vineyards.

Joel Aiken, the former winemaker, worked steadily to restore some of Beaulieu’s old glory. The regular bottling, as well as the Reserve, have all enjoyed a remarkable renaissance. It’s clear that the current ownership team has made a strong commitment to Beaulieu’s historic vineyard and legacy of quality. Many have argued that Beaulieu has diluted its reputation by marketing lower-quality wines. However, recent Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir bottlings have been solid, if not exceptional.

Today’s Private Reserve may well be a more workmanlike Cabernet than the classic vintages. It has wide appeal but arguably lacks some of the refinement that made the label famous worldwide. Unfortunately, this likely has something to do with the decision of earlier management teams to sell off chunks of the finest Private Reserve vineyards. These were gleefully snapped up by Andy Beckstoffer and now form part of the highly-regarded To Kalon vineyard. To this day, many producers purchase grapes from these vines for a new generation of top-quality Cabernets.

Although Beaulieu’s labels vary greatly in quality, they still produce a number of excellently made wines that make a visit to the vineyard more than worth your while.

Current noteworthy Beaulieu releases include:

• Georges De Latour Cabernet Sauvignon
• Reserve Clone 6 Cabernet Sauvignon
• Reserve Clone 4 Cabernet Sauvignon
• Madame De Latour Cabernet Sauvignon
• Maestro Reserve Chardonnay

Although many have written off Beaulieu after years of decline, the estate’s wines have undergone a transformation and are returning to the top of many critic’s lists. A tasting experience is more than worth while for both the history and the wine.

Tours and Tastings

In tribute to Mrs. de Latour’s unparalleled hospitality, guests are offered a complimentary glass of wine when they arrive. The “Premium Tasting” of small-lot wines, including a Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon, is open to all guests without reservation.

The “Cabernet Collector Tasting” is, of course, centered on a journey through some of the estate’s finest Cabernet Sauvignons. It takes place in the Reserve Room. Participants learn about Beaulieu’s 1980 experiment that utilized blind tastings to determine which characteristics brought about the finest end product. Guests are then treated to a tasting that includes some truly excellent older vintages.

The “Georges de Latour Personalized Legacy Experience” allows guests to indulge in a personalized flight of vintages, including some up to half a century old. This tasting takes place in the beautiful Reserve Room, which boasts rustic stone walls and glass cabinets displaying especially significant bottles from throughout the estates more than century-long history. No visit is complete without a look at the bottles made during the Prohibition era.

Without a doubt, De Latour was a skilled winemaker but also a savvy businessman who thrived despite the grape shortages and insect infestations that plagued the Napa Valley in years past. Beaulieu Vineyard, which has been in operation for more than 100 years, is still a leader in Cabernet Sauvignon production. Its status as one of the longest-running wineries in Napa Valley may be its key attraction today, but the current team are no slouches and the wine itself more than holds its own.

Current tasting and tour options:

• Cabernet Collector Tasting ($50 per person)
• Georges de Latour Legacy Experience ($125 per person, Thursday, Friday & Sunday at 11 a.m.). This experience includes a tour of the historic winery and a cheese and charcuterie plate.

Reservations are required for formal tasting experiences and club members enjoy discounts.

What we love:  Beaulieu Vineyard is one of the Napa Valley’s most historically significant locations. It is worth a visit for anyone intrigued by the work of some of the region’s most important pioneers. Cabernet Sauvignon lovers will find more than enough to pique their interest in the Georges de Latour Legacy Experience.

What we don’t love:  You won’t find quite the same level of personal engagement as one might expect from a family-run estate. However, this is perhaps an unavoidable consequence of the popularity of Beaulieu’s estate.

Final rating:  3.5/5

Beaulieu allow guests to customize their tasting experience according to their preferences. Tours blend an insight into the estate’s history with a number of excellent vintages.

Key Information

Does Beaulieu Vineyard offer a wine club?

Yes. Wine club members enjoy quarterly shipments featuring curated selections of wine. Some wines are exclusive to members. You can also enjoy complimentary tastings, member-only spaces at the winery, discounts, and invites to special events. “Le Corps de Latour” offers 2-4 bottles per shipment at a price of around $275 (excluding tax and shipping). It emphasizes classic wines such as the Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. The “Wine Society” membership tier offers 3-4 bottles per shipment and focuses on small lot Maestro collection wines. The price is $150-$190 per shipment. Find out more .

Do Beaulieu Vineyard host private events?

Beaulieu emphasizes public events and regularly stage special dinners to celebrate particularly special vintages. You can view their calendar or inquire with the team to learn more about your options.

What dining options are there nearby?

Rutherford Grill ($$) serves hearty American fare while the Bistro at Inglenook ($$$$) excites with its innovative take on French cuisine.

Timothy Grant

Timothy has a wealth of experience across a multitude of wine-related disciplines. He holds a bachelor's degree in winemaking and oenology.

He cut his teeth as a viticulture consultant in the lush and fertile vineyards of the Rhône valley. Later, Timothy occupied head sommelier positions across a number of distinguished restaurants in both England and continental Europe.

Although not a permanent Napa resident, Timothy visits the region annually and is never too far away from the wine industry, whether as a critic, journalist, or consultant.

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Beaulieu Vineyard

• Premier Partner
• (707) 257-5749
• 1960 St. Helena Hwy, Rutherford CA 94573

TripAdvisor Rating

For more than 115 years, Beaulieu Vineyard has set the standard for crafting California wines that stand among the world’s finest. Beaulieu's rich history and storied vineyards offer the visitor a unique opportunity to experience the finest of Napa Valley. Food and Wine Magazine recently recognized Beaulieu Vineyard as: "One of the Best Napa Valley Wineries to Visit".

Georges de Latour Tour & Library Tasting $125

Savor perfectly aged library vintages of the iconic Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. The five different vintages served will span several decades, including current and barrel sampling of this cult wine.

Cabernet Collector Tasting $50

With one of the most comprehensive back vintage libraries in Napa Valley, the Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Collector Experience offers guests the opportunity to taste the magic of perfectly aged Cabernet Sauvignon.

Classic Tasting

Explore Beaulieu Vineyard's iconic history in Napa Valley while guiding guests through a selection of limited production, winery exclusives Maestro wines inspired by the "the Maestro," famed and beloved BV Winemaker, André Tchelistcheff.

At A Glance

Itineraries

Beaulieu Vineyard 1960 St. Helena Hwy, Rutherford CA 94573 (707) 257-5749 Visit Website [email protected]

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Napa Valley Wineries

Beaulieu Vineyard

www.bvwines.com

Information

Appellations.

• Chiles Valley District
• Howell Mountain
• Los Carneros
• Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley
• Spring Mountain
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Fortified Wine
• Muscat/Moscato
• Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris
• Sauvignon Blanc

Export Countries

• Switzerland
• United Kingdom

Wine Club Membership

Wine clubs are a great way to stay connected to your favorite wineries.

BV Wine Society: * Four shipments of two specially selected wines from our Beaulieu Vineyard Napa Valley series and Maestro collections. * 20% member discount on all current vintage Beaulieu Vineyard wines. Le Corps de Latour: * Fpur shipments of two to six bottles of select Reserve wines, including Georges de Latour Private Reserve * Exclusive, limited edition bottlings. * 20% member discount on all current vintage Beaulieu Vineyard wines. * Access to older vintage wines.

To join our wine club, visit ', 'Winery Profile']);" target="_blank" rel="external noopener">www.bvwines.com or call 707-257-5749.

Premiere Napa Valley Wines

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• Certified Land

Our Makers' Story

General Manager & Chief Winemaker

Trevor Durling

— BV’s goal as a winery is to produce zero waste.

1960 Saint Helena Highway Rutherford, CA 94573

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Winery Features

Tasting Experience

BV is a rich part of the history and heritage of Napa Valley’s winemaking industry and continues to produce high-quality, award-winning wines. Our gracious and knowledgeable staff will guide you through your experience at BV whether you are a first-time visitor or a wine connoisseur.

• Tasting fee
• Private tasting available
• Tasting bar
• Indoor tasting area
• Historical landmark
• Sustainable practices
• Club member lounge

Napa Neighbor Offer

$10 savings on tasting fee & 10% off wine purchases.

Offers listed are valid for all Napa Valley residents age 21 and over.

View all our wineries and customize your wine experience.

The Napa Wine Project

The Official Wine Club of the Napa Wine Project!

Beaulieu Vineyard

Review by Dave Leave a Comment

Georges de Latour was a chemist from France’s Dordogne region who moved to California in 1883, later settling in San Jose in the early 1890s. He ran a cream of tartar business – scraping off potassium tartrate crystals from the inside of wine casks following their use in local wineries – and processed these to be used in baking powder. He moved to Healdsburg (Sonoma County) after neighbors complained of the smell from his factory – and established another similar business for a short while, before he and his wife Fernande moved to the Napa Valley in 1900. The site of the winery that was owned by French American Tartar and managed by de Latour is now home to Holdredge Cellars at 51 Front Street.

The roots of Beaulieu Vineyard were 4 acres of land that Georges purchased in Rutherford right next to the already established Inglenook Estate and began yet another cream of tartar business. His contact in the Napa Valley was John Wheeler (part of the family that established Wheeler Farms in Rutherford) who he had done business with, in the past.

Over the ensuing years the de Latours purchased much larger nearby properties in Rutherford including BV Ranch #1, BV Ranch #2 and immediately following Prohibition, the purchase completion of BV Ranch #3. Incidentally, this practice of naming subsequent vineyard purchases by number has continued through more present day with vineyard numbers up to #12. Prohibition was the last nail to be hammered into the metaphorical coffin for most wineries in the United States. Not so with Beaulieu Vineyard, rather they thrived during this trying time in the wine industry as they had a national contract with the Catholic Church for producing Sacramental wine – with wines made for church use dating back to the 1908 vintage. And they continued to produce altar wines for nationwide use until 1978.

Like with numerous wineries/producers in the Napa Valley, published founding dates do not always equate with first vintages. According to wine historian, Charles Sullivan, in his book, Napa Wine, A History , the first wines Beaulieu Vineyard produced were in 1904 but not yet bottled under Beaulieu Vineyard and were made in Thomann Winery in St. Helena (which two years later would become Sutter Home Winery). The first wines produced were bulk wines purchased from Wente Vineyards in Livermore and resold (a negociant model which still very much exists in the wine world). They were also making wines for distilling and lesser amounts for the Catholic Church. At one point during Prohibition, for legal purposes, Wente Vineyards actually transferred over their winery bond to Beaulieu Vineyard.

Perhaps related, perhaps not, but here nonetheless is Latour Way in Livermore. And in a clear homage to Napa Valley are a number of small streets named after towns including Calistoga, St. Helena, Oakville and Rutherford.

For two years starting in 1909, Beaulieu Vineyard leased the old Henry H. Harris Winery for additional cellar storage (built in 1887 and now home to Martin Estate Winery). One of the old-time names in the valley since the 1850s, Stice (reference Stice lane) Henry Stice was hired as the winemaker in 1909 – essentially their first ever winemaker. This is where the first wines bottled under the Beaulieu Vineyard were produced and then aged in an old barn on their original 4-acre property across the highway to the west from their present location. In addition to still wines, Beaulieu Vineyard was also producing dessert wines and ‘sparkling’ wines with the bubbles introduced from a carbonation machine.

Phyloxxera had begun destroying vineyards in the Napa Valley beginning in the 1870s and continued attacking nonresistant rootstocks for several more decades. By 1909 de Latour established a sizable nursery business supplying various grafted phyloxxera resistant vines to vineyards in both Napa and Sonoma counties. His nursery was a major reason the Napa Valley was able to replant and eventually recover from phylloxera (until the next outbreak hit in the 1980s).

The first vintage of wine made on site at Beaulieu Vineyard was in the old barn in 1911. A new winery was built on property, functional in time for the 1916 vintage. Emboldened from actually making a profit during Prohibition, wanting to expand and perhaps sensing Prohibition might eventually end, the Latour’s purchased the old Seneca Ewer Winery in 1923 (founded by State Senator Seneca Ewer in 1885). Ewer came to California in pursuit of gold mining riches; eventually he settled in Oroville and began practicing law and soon became a Judge in Butte County. Along with his family, he moved to the Napa Valley in 1870 setting in St. Helena and building a home just north of town above the highway on the property that later was home to the St. Gothard Tavern, Las Alcobas resort and currently the Hyatt managed, Alila Napa Valley. Ewer was a prominent citizen in St. Helena having served as president of the St. Helena Water Company and directors of several banks including the Bank of St. Helena which eventually became part of the Bank of Italy (the precursor to Bank of America).

The stone Seneca Ewer Winery building was completed in 1885 located across the highway from the original Beaulieu Vineyard location – and is still the current home of the Beaulieu Vineyard physical winery (although many changes and expansions have occurred over the decades).

It is really remarkable that de Latour had the entrepreneurial fortitude, vision and creativity to take full advantage and be financially successful during two extremely challenging times in the wine industry – the advent of phylloxera and Prohibition.

The winery takes its name from what Fernande said when she initially viewed their first property, “quel beau lieu” which in French means “beautiful place” – she continued to refer to the property as ‘beau lieu’. If only she had merely said “bien” meaning “good” in English, then maybe they would have taken a different name and we could pronounce the name easier. However just do like the locals and call it BV for short.

Georges died in 1940 – for 11 more years Fernande oversaw the winery operations. After she died, the winery was transferred to her daughter Madame Hélène de Pins and her husband, Marquis. Beaulieu wines have performed very well at numerous tastings and events over the decades including at a a special tasting conducted by French vintners and wine connoisseurs at the George V Hotel in Paris in 1949 – nearly 30 years prior to the Paris Tasting of 1976. Fernande submitted 12 wines to this tasting.

Some 50 tasters were present including those representing the French Ministry of agriculture, several viticultural associations, schools of enology, the Society du Tastevin, editors of various French wine journals, owners of some of France’s best chateaus, hotel and restaurant owners and members of the U.S. embassy staff. Those in attendance unanimously agreed that the Beaulieu wines were of the finest quality.

In 1959 the film, The Earth is Mine staring Rock Hudson was in part filmed at Beaulieu Vineyard (among other Napa Valley locations including La Perla Estate on Spring Mountain). This film was based on the 1942 book The Cup and the Sword by Alice Tisdale Hobart.

By 1969 the Madame sold the winery to Hueblein, Inc., (incidentally the same year that Heublein also purchased their historic neighbor, Inglenook Vineyards). While the family sold Beaulieu Vineyard, they held on to other vineyard property in Rutherford including their original property – what is now called the Beaulieu Garden (still owned by family heirs).

Today Beaulieu Garden is selectively used as a gorgeous wedding site. We have visited the property several times; it feels magical – an escape to another time. The driveway is long and lined with Sycamore trees leading to gardens with a European feel. The surrounding vineyards are highly pedigreed. But perhaps more intriguing is the “Champagne” Cellar built in 1915 and used until 1991 to produce Beaulieu Vineyard bottled Champagne (sparkling wines). This cellar still exists and in 2017 was converted into a private wine storage facility for clients known as the Rutherford Wine Vault (some of whom store very old vintages of Beaulieu Vineyard wines).

Beaulieu Vineyard has seen a number of ownership changes since the de Latours; today it is owned by Treasury Wine Estates. As of 2018 according to Wine Business Magazine, Treasury Wine Estates farms the most vineyard acres of any entity in the entire Napa Valley – some 3400+ acres, the majority of these vines are leased rather than owned.

And over the decades Beaulieu Vineyard has attracted numerous celebrities including politicians and artists. Famous personalities such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Admiral C.W. Nimitz, Herbert Hoover, John Foster Dulles, Maurice Chevalier, Edith Piaf, Rock Hudson, Rothschild and Rockefeller family members, Prince Faisal Al-Saud, and Prince and Princess Rainier Grimaldi of Monaco have all visited the winery.

And in 1952 and 1953 Edward Montagu of the well-known automobile family in the U.K. traveled to the U.S. to help publicize the opening of his grand Beaulieu Estate to the public; one of his stops was a visit to Beaulieu Vineyard. Presumably he would have met with Madame Hélène de Pins and her husband, Marquis, and or winemaker André Tchelistcheff. Little did he know that his grandnephew Weston would begin producing wine in Napa Valley some approximately 60 years later under the labels Montagu and Silver Ghost.

Wine historian Lynn Downey was tasked with the role of cataloguing and curating boxes and boxes of Beaulieu Vineyard history. Some nearly 200 boxes of records, documents photographs and other information were ultimately compiled. And in 2022 she curated a rich oral history of Beaulieu Vineyard through the BV Vines & Stories series. These interviews were primarily with former Beaulieu Vineyard employees including winemakers, some of which can be heard at the end of this review.

Eventually his family moved to France where he met Georges De Latour in Paris – who was in France looking for a new winemaker for Beaulieu Vineyard to succeed his consulting enologist Leon Bonnet (Emeritus Professor at University of California, Berkele) who retired in 1937. It was Leon who recommended de Latour meet Tchelistcheff. After meeting, André agreed to come to the Napa Valley and arrived at age 37 in 1938 picked up in San Francisco by Georges De LaTour himself and his driver Luis in an impressive 1925 Cadillac Imperial Touring car. The car was passed on to an employee who used it for farm work until sometime in the 1950s and later for hunting rabbits in the vineyards and also deer.

Eventually it somehow ended up being stored in a barn under a tarp – where Henry “chops” Ghiringhelli discovered it after purchasing a ranch just south of Rutherford. At that time, it was in bad shape, dusty and beaten from its later years of hard work. It was painstakingly restored after about 1400 hours of work. The interior is impeccable – a window completely separates the passengers from the driver. Communication is through a microphone connected to a speaker enabling the passengers to speak with the driver when they wish. And creatively, the rear-view mirror is bucked via a leather strap to one of the spare tires. The car is currently housed within the old winery until it can be displayed to the public. There are only a handful of these particular cars left on the planet.

It was André’s wine making knowledge and expertise that helped perfect their wines including their Pinot Noir. He stayed with Beaulieu Vineyard for some 35 years before retiring in 1973 (during that time he also operated his own private lab – the Napa Valley Enological Research Laboratory and Napa Valley Enological Center – on the second floor in the historic Richie Building in downtown St. Helena from 1947 through 1962). Some of his prominent winemaker clients including John Daniel of Inglenook Vineyard, Louis P. Martini and Lee Stewart of Souverain. Andre’s career didn’t end after he retired from Beaulieu Vineyard – he continued to significantly contribute to the local wine industry as a winemaker and soils expert and his advice was followed by numerous Napa winemakers and vineyard owners (often in the form of planting varieties that André recommended).

He returned to Beaulieu Vineyard in a limited capacity in the early 1990s working with then winemaker Joel Aiken. Joel told us about the time that André visited Beaulieu Vineyard at age 89 in 1990. The winemaking team was proudly showing him the winery and traditional winemaking practices (including older American oak barrels) that in part André setup back when he was working at the winery. André remarked, something like, “it has been 17 years since I have worked here, I have changed, why haven’t you”.

Some old-time vintners we have spoken to fondly remember André stopping by in his blue Corvette to chat – always with a cigarette in hand. As of our last update to this review, André’s wife Dorothy lived in the city of Napa until she passed away at age 99 on Thanksgiving day in 2023.

Richie Block building, site of Andre’s lab

He is still referred to by some former elderly employees as “the Maestro”. His son Dimitri (died 2017) was also an accomplished winemaker providing his services in Mexico, Hawaii and in the Napa Valley and also consulting for Beaulieu Vineyard (especially during the 1980s). And André’s nephew Alex Golitzin co-founded one of Washington’s top wineries Quilceda Creek along with his wife Jeannette.

Long time Napa vintner and founder of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Warren Winiarski had this to say about André (from an interview Warren did for the Bancroft Library at UC Berkeley), “He was a unique combination. He provided, in his own soul, this extraordinary combination of science and poetry. That’s what it takes in this kind of thing. He was uniquely and surpassingly, perhaps, gifted with this combination of those two aspects at a very high level.” His influence was an integral part of Beaulieu’s history.

André also was fluent in seven different languages including Russian, Greek, Latin, German, French, Italian, and English and according to Mike Grgich in his autobiography, A Glass Full Of Miracles , spoke perfect Croatian.

André’s Secret Storage Room And in a part of the winery, not far from his own office and the lab was a very tiny broom/coat closet. To the unsuspecting employee, this just simply a small storage space. But to a very privileged few over the decades, a set which only included each primary Beaulieu Vineyard winemaker who was always sworn to secrecy by the previous winemaker, this was much more than a broom closet.

In the 1950s unbeknownst to anyone else (perhaps not even André’s wife Dorothy) André began to stow away bottles of Georges de La Tour wines using this broom closet as a secret entrance to what is now referred to as Andre’s Tower .

Owner, Madame Hélène de Pins was noted to be thrifty and wanted to sell as much of their production as possible and perhaps would not have approved of holding back wines. Not even Heublein knew about this secret room during their period of ownership.

Winemaker Trevor Durling discovered this room in 2009 when he was offered to choose a bottle of wine by prior winemaker, Jeffrey Stambor. Trevor chose a bottle of 1968 Georges de Latour Private Reserve, a noted exceptional year. And since then, the secret is out – the older bottles having been removed to store under more optimal conditions.

Winemakers Along with André, Beaulieu Vineyard has only had several primary winemakers throughout its history including Theo Rosenbrand and one of the valley’s legendary but under the radar personalities, Dr. Richard Peterson (who absolutely should be in the Culinary Institute of America Vintner’s Hall of Fame) and later Joel Aiken (who for several years, operated his own small brand, Aiken Wines), Jeffrey Stambor and currently Sonoma County native, Trevor Durling.

Trevor has been blessed with a special combination of vision, leadership, an engaging personality and an acute grasp of Beaulieu Vineyard’s storied history with the potential to leave a lasting mark as great as some of Beaulieu Vineyard’s previous winemakers. His passion flows easily from his personality; he loves what he is doing and is an integral part of this chapter of Beaulieu Vineyard. And it is a very important one – taking an even more detailed look at their viticulture practices, fine-tuning fermentations and improving quality in the cellar, returning to their Rutherford roots and heritage to some extent, and overseeing the transformation of the original 1885 winery into what will become a world class hospitality and historical center.

Mike Grgich spent 9 years of his career helping André craft the wines. For a fascinating look into a specific period of Beaulieu Vineyard’s history in the late 1960s and early 1970s – read the excellent book The Winemaker by Richard Peterson with a section chronicling his time making wine at Beaulieu Vineyard. Or for a more extensive historical look at the winery and the life of the de Latours, Private Reserve , by author Rod Smith (who happened to be married to one of our neighbors while growing up) with contemporary photos by Andy Katz (father of Jesse Katz who owns a winery near Healdsburg in neighboring Sonoma County) is an excellent read.

And it is a wine that has certainly inspired numerous consumers over the years – and in at least one case the inspiration to start a winery. Tom and Sally Jordan who would later begin the iconic Jordan Winery in Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley wanted to start a winery with a vineyard – they were looking at Bordeaux in the 1960s because that region was producing the wines, they enjoyed drinking. However, the barriers to entry at that time were too great for an American couple to own a winery in Bordeaux.

While having dinner in 1971 at Ernie’s in San Francisco they were presented with a bottle of 1966 Georges de Latour Private Reserve. This wine changed their perceptions of California wine – and after this bottle they realized that perhaps they could start looking for property in California rather than France. And André Tchelistcheff made this wine, who incidentally later became the Jordan’s consulting winemaker.

While at Beaulieu Vineyard, Anthony oversaw what became instrumental research on clonal variations of Cabernet Sauvignon and is most known for introducing Clone 6 to the Napa Valley; this is also the clone of Cabernet Sauvignon that he started with when founding Bell Wine Cellars. In 1980 he oversaw the planting of 14 unique clonal selections of Cabernet Sauvignon including Clone 6 which had been sourced from – the abandoned since 1903 Foothill Experiment Station near the old mining town of Jackson in Amador County.

After several years grapes from these various clones were harvested, fermented separately and individual wines were produced from each clone. The team at Beaulieu Vineyard would blind taste through every wine from each clone, make notes highlighting their differences and then identify the clones with the most desired characteristics.

As with several of the older larger Napa wineries, for decades their barrel room contained large redwood tanks (over 100 years old) which at one time were used for fermenting large lots of wine. These were stored all the way up until around 2017 when they were finally removed.

The original winery is no longer used for much wine making with the tanks now decommissioned. The plan is to eventually turn the old winery into a visitor center and museum, housing a number of artifacts and historical treasures. Over the years through different ownership, the winery expanded its footprint significantly. Today Beaulieu Vineyard only uses a part of the overall production facilities – renting out space to select clients.

A large room within the winery is used for private events and displaying a small amount of historical items relating to the wineries’ history. This includes the Wall of Fame, with gold plaques listed for every employee who spent at least 15 years working at the winery.

Beaulieu Vineyard produces a number of different tiered wines including a wide diversity of wines bottled under the Maestro label (often available in restaurants nationwide), Appellation wines, Dessert Wines (usually a Muscat and a port-styled wine) and the highly sought after Reserve wines. Their lower end offerings are the BV Coastal wines and are not made at the winery in the Napa Valley. Their wines are well distributed in many locations across the country including major supermarkets.

Due to the reach of their wine in numerous markets, a long history of producing wines and a highly visible location along Highway 29 – their tasting rooms can often be crowded especially on busy weekends. Visitors coming to the property from late morning until well into the evening will be tempted by the delicious aromas wafting out from the massively popular Rutherford Grill, located next to the winery (sharing the same parking lot).

The primary tasting room is on the lower level (it used to be on the upper level) inside a picturesque but somewhat dated looking small round masonry brick and wooden building. A complimentary taste is always given of a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc when visitors walk into the main tasting room – before the regular paid tastings. This tradition dates back to Fernande who believed in always offering their visitors a glass of wine as soon as they walked in the door. The Club Room is located in the same building on the upper floor and is often used for larger groups who have prior reservations (buses or vans pull right up the entrance).

Reserve wines are tasted in the Reserve Tasting room, located across the parking lot from the primary tasting room. However, contrary to what one might think based on the name of this tasting room – several tastings may be offered here, including both a general tasting as well as a higher end tasting of their most coveted red wines including older vintages. Weather permitting the General tasting is held outdoors in the patio and the Reserve tasting is held indoors at the bar with bar stools surrounding the marble counter-top on all sides.

During several visits over the years, we always observed mostly older men working in this particular tasting room. And perhaps this makes sense – during several tastings over the years, we have noticed that in their youth, the wines are stylistically very masculine. But the evolution of the staff and wines continues to evolve – with perhaps the wines more approachable now in their youth (yet still built to age) and a more diverse employee group.

When we walked in the Reserve Room years ago asking to take a few photos of the interior, one of the hosts said “ok, as long as you are not a spy from nearby Robert Mondavi Winery”. Nice!

Unlike other tastings in the Napa Valley, the Clonal Experience Tasting highlights clonal differences in wines of the same variety (Cabernet Sauvignon). In addition, visitors get to try two vintages of each clone; often a vintage that is over 10 years old and a current release of the coveted Georges de Latour Private Reserve is also offered with this respective tasting. The Legacy Experience offers a tour through the old winery with commentary rich on its storied history. It culminates with a tasting in their Reserve room focusing on their most premium current release wines. And the Hewitt Tasting focuses on select bottlings from the Hewitt Vineyard.

Select Wines

If we were to categorize the style of the Beaulieu Vineyard wines, we would start with how they feel on the palate. These are texturally driven wines, but all with an accompanying sense of balance. And while several of their most premium red bottlings are robust and intense wines, they still show a sense of restraint.

It is interesting to note that Beaulieu Vineyard used to use American oak starting in 1943; World War II was not an ideal time to be importing French oak. Their winemakers used American oak through the early 1990s. André would not use new American oak but rather once filled barrels for the Beaulieu Vineyard premiere red wines.

The 2019 Beaulieu Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc was sourced from Rutherford, in part from grapes growing closer to the Napa River (better suited to a higher water table next to the river then say, Cabernet Sauvignon). Trevor is very careful with his picking decision, let the fruit hang just a few days to long and it will result in more flabby, lower acid wines. And he is careful with the canopy management – not overexposing the fruit to the sun by too many removing leaves. This is a balanced Sauvignon Blanc straddling a nice flavor profile between green and grassy cooler weather wines from this variety and wines that tend to be riper or show more tropical characteristics. Shows medium yellow color in the glass; offers aromas of lemongrass and a lemon lime nuance on the bouquet. Reveals hints of honeysuckle as the wine breathes further. Lovely texture, like velvet in its feel with a brightness on the finish – crisp but not tart. Drinks very well by itself.

The name Double plus was a highly personal designation for former Hewitt and Provenance winemaker Tom Rinaldi. In the cellar winemakers use their own system to designate barrels based on quality with some not making the cut (i.e., in Tom’s case a rare X designation) and barrels decided on as normal, receiving a checkmark and barrels above average receiving a +. However, Tom designated certain barrels of wine each vintage as exceptional or outstanding. And he has always used a ++, handwritten in chalk to signify these rare and special barrels of wine. He has ‘made his mark’ in wineries from Napa Valley to the state of Washington to China and Russia.

The 2019 Hewitt Vineyard Double Plus is deep ruby and opaque in the glass; the aromas are wide open and include a floral component, bramble, blackberry, plum and dark cherry. The oak is a complementary character here. This wine offers intense flavors of blackberry and dark plum. If one could physically wade through tannins, the density of this textural beauty would be a formidable obstacle. Its tannins are youthful, chewy and very long lasting. They persist with a dusty and dry finish. This is a serious Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon sure to appeal to those looking for a concentrated, intense and rich showing both in terms of flavor and texture. Yet for all of its power, there is a balance at play here. This wine will age well for many years to come with the proper cellar aging.

The 2005 Beaulieu Vineyard Clone 6 Cabernet Sauvignon shows aromas of plum, sage and aromas of old cedar box – bringing back memories of my grandmothers old red velvet lined cedar box that she kept some of her most valuable jewelry in. Very pretty bouquet. Juicy and mouthwatering on the palate shows plenty of life and vibrancy 12 years at the time of our tasting post vintage. Also still delivers plenty of noticeable tannins – dusty, drying but finer grained rather than coarse in feel. Very long finish.

And a wine first made in 1968, Rarity is only produced during exceptional vintages. The 2013 Rarity was only the 5th ever wine made under this label – and to date has been the only Rarity bottled as a Cabernet Sauvignon (rather than as a field blend). Also of note, this wine was only bottled in magnums with pricing at $1000/bottle upon release ultimately commanding much higher prices in subsequent years.

Georges de LaTour Private Reserve The 2018 Beaulieu Vineyard Private Reserve Georges de Latour Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec. This wine was aged for 22 months in 95% new French oak barrels. The wine is deep ruby and opaque in the glass with an amaranthine rim; the bouquet is darkly fruited and well-layered including aromatics of blackberry, plum, violets, chocolate and a hint of dried herbs and a wood spice. The palate is bright, balanced and alive (we tasted 5 years post vintage). It offers flavors of plum, black cherry and black currant. We enjoy how the tannins feel on this particular full-bodied bottling; their density can be felt as they linger with a noticeable firm grip on a dusty and dry finish.

1967 Beaulieu Vineyard wine pricing card, back

1967 Beaulieu Vineyard wine pricing card, front

With the 2016 vintage being the 80th year anniversary of Beaulieu Vineyard Private Reserve Georges de Latour Cabernet Sauvignon, the team at Beulieu Vineyard decided this wine needed a special glass. They hired George Riedel and spent 3 sessions with him perfecting the stemware to serve this wine in. The resulting glass is sizable, yet elegant in its look – and can be purchased exclusively through the tasting room.

The 2014 Beaulieu Vineyard Private Reserve Georges de Latour Cabernet Sauvignon (was blended slightly with Merlot and Petit Verdot). The wine shows initial aromas of dry dirt which as it opens makes way for fruit aromatics including plum and blackberry. A hint of chocolate is more in the background. Dark and aromatically dense, the bouquet foreshadows the richness on the palate. Packed with depth of flavor the wine is anchored by course grippy and chewy tannins that continue to persist for quite some time on the finish. Mouthwatering acidity with a cherry nuance and influence from the oak (cedar and caramel) also linger. If you drink this wine young – it is obviously best to decant before serving – it has plenty of age ahead of it.

The 1998 Beaulieu Vineyard Private Reserve Georges de Latour Cabernet Sauvignon opens immediately to a dustiness, hints of leather and given more time to breathe in the glass, a sweetness including notes of mocha and a more subtle nuance of caramel. Aromatically shows as an older wine but on the palate tastes like a younger wine (tasted 22 years after vintage). One of the higher acid wines we have tried from Beaulieu Vineyard with a noticeable brightness on the finish – creating a salivating sensation. Juicy. Lingers with slightly chewy tannins without any heaviness of structure.

The 1974 Beaulieu Vineyard Private Reserve Georges de Latour Cabernet Sauvignon has as expected, lost much of its color over the years (we tasted 46 years after vintage); it shows brickish red in the glass. Aromas of sweet baking spices, prune and including as the wine opens further, notes of caramel and toffee. This wine still carries a noticeable brightness of acidity running the breadth of the palate. Flavors of red cherry and hints of currant. Sports a lovely texture, an elegant showing with finely integrated tannins persisting with just a noticeable light grip. Lingers with a hint of leather, red cherry tartness and a subtle orange peel zest note.

Treasury Wine Estates Treasury Wine Estates is currently the 4th largest wine company on the planet. Treasury was formerly the wine division of the Australian based Foster’s Group and was founded in 2011 – although its roots can be traced back to the mid 1990s when Foster’s began to build out their wine division. Treasury Wine Estates owns or manages some 22,000+ acres of vineyards in Australia and New Zealand and nearly 10,000 acres of vineyards in the USA (mostly in the Napa Valley, Sonoma County and California’s central coast).

As of our latest update to this review they are the largest controlling entity of vineyards in the Napa Valley through mostly leased land. They own several of the Napa Valley’s most iconic, historical and storied producers including the following other five wineries: Beringer, Etude, Frank Family, Stags’ Leap Winery and Sterling. In addition, they own the Napa Valley brands Acacia and Hewitt. And of the other brands under their ownership, Penfolds in the Barossa Valley, Australia is arguably the most famous.

Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia the company also maintains offices in Napa, Oakland, London, Shanghai and Singapore. In 2019 the company moved its headquarters to one of the uppermost floors in one of Melbourne’s most iconic buildings, the T&G Building located on Collins Street a few minutes’ walk from the Flinders Street Railway Station.

The T&G building, named after the T&G Mutual Life Assurance Society was built in 1928 and features a gorgeous atrium like setting and high-end retail shops on the ground floor as well as 10 floors of office space. This was one of Melbourne’s first large scale office buildings. Despite being one of Melbourne’s prominent and historical buildings, Treasury Wine Estates keeps a very low profile and has no signage.

And in mid 2023 Treasury unveiled the largest winery solar installation in Australia located on the car park at their production winery in South Australia. This array contains nearly 6,000 solar panels, generating more than 5,500 megawatt hours of electricity annually.

For more information about this treasured Napa winery and or to join one of their wine clubs (including a Cabernet Sauvignon only club), visit: www.bvwines.com

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• I am an experienced local, I make the tours informative, but at the same time relaxed and not off the plane.

Free Tours Moscow – Daily

My free tours Moscow city starts on Slavonic Square (Kitay-Gorod Metro Station), passes the world-famous St. Basil’s Cathedral, which was built by Ivan the Terrible on the south side of Red Square in the 16th century and where the tsars were once crowned. Then it goes across the Red Square at the Lenin Mausoleum, the luxury department store GUM and with a view of the Kremlin towards the historical museum. Of course, you will also learn more about the stories that once happened behind the thick walls of the Kremlin – from the Tsars and Napoleon to Stalin. Then we continue through the idyllic Alexander Garden.

An advance booking is required!

Practical information:

Time: by arrangement, daily Duration: 1.5 hours Price: Free Language: English

«First acquaintance with Moscow» – a 2.5-hour city tour in the center of Moscow

This Moscow city tour starts on the Theater Square, past Lubyanka Square and the KGB-building, then through Kitay Gorod district and Varvarka Street, past the world-famous St. Basil’s Cathedral. Then it goes across Zarjadje Park, over Red Square at the Lenin Mausoleum, the GUM-department store and towards the Historical Museum. We walk through the Alexander Garden.

Time: by arrangement, daily Duration: 2.5 hours Price: 17 $ Students and children: 6 $ Language: English

A 3.5-hour car/bus tour of Moscow.

This is the best tour of Moscow city as all the important sights are visited. I am your Moscow city guide who will walk you through the city explaining the charming history of the city. This tour begins with picking you up from the hotel. 3 breaks are offered for photographing.

First, we will visit the most famous riverside streets and bridges in the center of the city with the most beautiful views of the Kremlin and the Moskva River (e.g. the Kremlin embankment and the Great Stone Bridge).

The first photo break is made at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. We then pass by the district with numerous museums, Prechistinka Street and the district with numerous medical areas.

We again stop at the Novodevichy Convent, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the other bank of the Moskva River to click pictures.

Then we visit “Sparrow Hills” where you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city of Moscow from the observation deck. Then there are the skyscrapers of Moscow-City, the Kutuzov avenue, the New Arbat, Tverskaya Street, the world-famous Bolshoi Theater, the KGB building and Varvarka Street. Here there are ample spots to click pictures.

We then drive past the Kremlin again and finally reach Red Square. We take a short tour of Red Square and say goodbye in the Alexander Garden.

Time: by arrangement, daily Duration: 3.5 hours Price for a group: 170-200 $ (depending on the number of travelers) Language: English

Metro tour – daily

Palaces for ordinary people – that was what Stalin promised to the people when the construction of the Moscow Metro began between the World Wars. The communist dictator hadn’t promised too much. No other underground system in the world can boast such spectacular architecture – chandeliers, decorations, stucco, paintings on the walls – each station is individually designed. No wonder that Moscow residents love their metro. I will guide you through the bustle of one of the busiest subways in the world and show you the most beautiful stations Moscow city has.

Time: by arrangement, daily Duration: 2 hours Price: 21 $ Students and children: 17 $ Language: English Included in the price: Metro tickets / the guided tour

Tour of Communist Moscow – every day

After the Communist October Revolution in 1918, Moscow became the capital of the Soviet Empire and was the center of socialist orbit for more than 70 years. This left its mark on Moscow, even if the USSR disintegrated more than a quarter of a century ago. The city streets are full of remnants of the communist regime and the Cold War. This is a walking tour where I will show you the most exciting places in Soviet Moscow: from the notorious KGB headquarters, also known as Lubyanka to the Karl Marx Monument to small hidden remains from the time of hammer and sickle. You will also learn about Stalin’s Great Terror political campaign and the system of the GULAG and how the USSR, the communist Russian republic, became modern Russia.

Time: by arrangement, daily Duration: 2 hours Price: 21 $ Students and children: 17 $ Language: English Included in the price: the guided tour

Alternative Moscow Tour – daily

Explore the unseen Moscow with your Moscow private guide and discover a range of sights during this alternative walking tour.  Away from the main tourist spots (in the central district of Kitay-Gorod), just a short walk from Red Square and St. Basil’s Cathedral, you suddenly find yourself in one of the trendiest districts of Moscow. This place not only has trendy cafes and green squares, but here you can see the most beautiful spray works (according to Albrecht Dürer), hangout-places of the youth and hipsters, as well as learn what Moscow looked like in the 19th century. Here you will also learn exciting and even bloody stories about famous gangsters, eccentric business people and legends like the wandering preacher Rasputin, who is known in Russia either as the “holy devil” or the mad monk. To learn a little more about Moscow’s culture, this is the tour for you. On my alternative tour, you will get to know Moscow away from the tourist hotspots. This tour is of 2 hours duration and you will experience the following on the tour:

• St. John’s Hill, a quiet oasis right in the center, where time has stopped as it did in pre-Communist times
• Khokhlovka Art Center, where Russian hipsters and street artists hang out
• Samoskvorechye District where you can see beautiful streets and hear stories from old Moscow

Time: by arrangement, daily Duration: 2 hours Price: 21 $ Students and children: 17 $ Language: English Included in the price: the guided tour / tram ticket

Kremlin tour – daily (closed on Thursday)

With its 20 towers and high walls, the Kremlin rises imposingly over Red Square. This world-famous fortress with its area of ​​28 hectares is home to over 800 years of Russian history. Described as the eighth wonder of the world, this historic fortress complex is the principal symbol of Russia that sits on the banks of the Moscow River. Today the Kremlin still harbors numerous secrets and has palaces and cathedrals, surrounded by Kremlin Wall. The current wall was constructed between the 15 th  and 16 th  centuries, but the original wall was made of wood around the year 1147. The Kremlin Wall became an important symbol of Moscow’s importance in the Russian Empire. This top tourist destination attracts millions of people every year and there are various sights to see. With my Kremlin tour, you will see the oldest square in the city in the heart of the Kremlin, the once largest cannon in the world and the scene of numerous dramas – from Ivan the Terrible and Napoleon to Stalin. You cannot miss this unique experience.

An advance booking and prepayment for tickets are required.

Time: by arrangement, daily (closed on Thursday) Duration: 2 hours Price on request Students and children: on request Language: English Included in the price: Kremlin tickets / the guided tour

Moscow pub crawl – Friday / Saturday

Experience the real nightlife of Moscow with my Moscow Pub Crawl and enjoy 4 pubs/bars plus 4 welcome shot drinks. Move from one bar to another and get to know travelers from around the world as well as the locals. Play fun adventure games and contests in addition to getting perks in the bars. Between the bars, move from one place to another on foot. The routes are organized as such that you will walk no more than 10 minutes between the bars. Visit the most exciting events, parties, concerts, and dance in the bars. Moscow Pub Crawl is a tour that you will never forget.

This tour runs every Friday and Saturday evening at 8 PM and you need to bring along your passport or an ID card, comfortable shoes, and wear smart casual clothes.

An advance booking and a small prepayment are required!

Time: by arrangement, daily Duration: 4 hours Price on request Language: English Included in the price: the guided tour, 4 shot drinks

1.5-hour boat trip on the Moskva River.

Taking a boat tour in Moscow on the Moskva River is a very pleasant experience. It allows you to know the city from a totally different perspective and admire the beautiful bridges. In this 1.5-hour river trip, you will sail past many beautiful sites in Moscow, so you can take the best photos to commemorate this day. The ship makes several stops on the way. The trip starts from the Ustinskiy Bridge near Sarjadje Park and ends at the Kiev train station.

On this Boat Trip, you can see sights such as: the former Imperial Education House, Sarjadje Park, the “flowing”, “floating” bridge, the most beautiful view of the Kremlin, the Great Stone Bridge, the legendary House on the Quay, the Christ the Savior Cathedral , the monument to Peter the Great on the ship, the central sports arena Luzhniki, the Sparrow Hills, 240 meters high Lomonosov University, the numerous architecturally spectacular skyscrapers of Moscow-City, the Novodevichy Convent, the building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs etc.

Time: by arrangement, daily Duration: 1.5 hours Price on request Language: English

A military tour – riding on tanks in Stupino (Moscow region)

Russian Military is one of the largest military forces in the world formed in 1992. With my Military Tour experience what it likes to be in the Russian military, shooting guns, ride the Tank T-34 and various models of German tanks from the Second World War, as well as armored personnel carriers and vehicles. You will also shoot from the AK-47 and another combat weapon.

The tour will begin with your private tour guide Moscow in a Soviet army van accompanied with some tasty snacks and tea for a tasty start. Upon arriving, you will have to put on the army safety clothing and climb the Russian armored vehicles. The tour will take you on the noisy, smoky tank, driving through mud roads. All participants will get the chance to drive the tank which is coordinated by the Russian military.

Time: by arrangement, daily Price on request Language: English

Alexander Popov

Welcome to Russia! My name is Alexander, I was born in Moscow and I'm a passionate tour guide. I want to share my passion for Russia and my hometown with you. On my website you will find useful information to make your individual trip to Russia as interesting as possible.

Gorky Park and Sparrow Hills: Green Lungs, place to relax and meet

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2019 Beaulieu Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasting Notes

The 2019 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has a bouquet of dark red berry fruit, supported by briary cherry, and tea leaf herbaceous notes. The palate follows through nicely with juicy and bright strawberry preserves, black raspberry, black cherry, and cola, supported by delicate hints of mint, mocha and dark chocolate. The tannins are smooth and round offering a plush texture and mouthfeel, with a classic balance and structure that complements the character of this wine. Well integrated baking spice notes of vanilla bean, cinnamon, and ginger from the toasted oak barrels seamlessly compliment the lively berry fruit aromas and flavors leading to a long savory finish with focused acidity. This crowd-pleasing Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is incredibly drinkable now, upon release, and can age for many years to come.

Technical Information

Scores & accolades, wine spectator, 2022 wine value of the year.

“Fresh, direct and focused, with red currant and cherry coulis notes that race through, dotted with savory, floral and tobacco accents. Judicious toast lets the fruit play out, and there's solid energy throughout. Drink now through 2030.” - James Molesworth, August, 2022

After the grapes were destemmed and crushed, we fermented the must in stainless steel tanks until dry. We then pressed the skins and gently transferred the freshly fermented wine to 60-gallon oak barrels for malolactic fermentation and 18 months of aging. Prior to bottling, we blended several varieties with the Cabernet Sauvignon to add complexity and plushness to the wine’s mid-palate. This also added plenty of finesse to the lingering finish and enhanced the flavor and aroma profile of this beautiful wine.

Trevor Durling - Winemaker

Beaulieu Vineyard Winemaker Trevor Durling, presides as only the fifth winemaker in the winery’s 119-year history. A native Californian, Trevor was raised in Sonoma County, the heart of Northern California’s wine country. With a love of agriculture, science and cuisine, Trevor pursued his studies at the University of California Davis in the Viticulture and Enology program. As winemaker at Beaulieu Vineyard, Trevor incorporates his passion for creating fine wines, while preserving the heritage and legacy of Beaulieu Vineyard.

The 2019 harvest started one to two weeks later than previous years due to February rains. Spring continued to be wet with some rain during flowering, followed by cool temperatures that allowed the grapes to mature gradually. Most grapes ripened at lower sugars, thanks to the extended, cool growing season, and winemakers were pleased with the full flavors, fresh acidity, and superb balance of the 2019 fruit. The resulting crop showed a modest yield with a slightly more compact structure and extract than in previous years.

Napa Valley AVA