Winery Tour: By appointment only
Wine Price: Lower than most and very well-priced for the quality
In twenty-first century Napa, it's not often you find a winery with a scrappy, just-getting-started feel - and even more rare that the winery's owner and winemaker would take you out on a tour. That's why we were so excited to discover Heibel Ranch. It's located in the mountains above the Napa Valley, near the old Aetna Springs Resort.
Heibel Ranch Vineyards Review
Wine Quality: Very good for such a young winery
Tourist Experience: Top-notch
We don't normally give star ratings to winery experiences, but if we did, Heibel would easily earn 5 out of 5.
For starters, Heibel Ranch may have the most beautiful tasting room in all of Napa - one with no walls, the wine poured at a picnic table in a wooded grove beside a lake. Make an appointment for the Back Country Tour, meet owner and winemaker Trent Ghiringhelli at the property's entrance and you'll get there in "Sugar Magnolia", a 1963 Willy's Navy jeep.
Ghiringhelli is the third generation of his family to work this land and his love for the place and dedication to creating something there is perhaps the tour's most important feature. Or maybe it's the utter tranquility of the outdoor tasting room.
A friendly dog often escorts the Back Country Tour to its destination. We love pups of all sizes and this one is quite well-behaved, but we know some folks feel differently. Speak up ahead of time if you'd prefer your visit to be dog-free.
Heibel Ranch is a young winery with only a couple of vintages to its credit, but already the wines show lots of promise. Go now and you can claim bragging rights when they win their first awards.
Getting to Heibel Ranch Vineyards
Phone: 707-968-9289Heibel Ranch is in Pope Valley, above the town of Angwin. You'll get detailed directions to your meeting place after you reserve your tour. Allow about half an hour to get there from downtown St. Helena, or an hour if you're starting from the town of Napa.
Heibel Ranch Vineyards Website
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with a complimentary tour for the purpose of reviewing Heibel Ranch Vineyards. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.
