Ladera

[Ladera Dan]

Hello all,
Dan here from Ladera Vineyards up on Howell Mountain in Napa. We are a small production cab house here in Napa. Just wondering if anyone here has been up to the winery or knows about us. Would love to answer any questions about anything. Cheers!

[wineo]

Welcome Ladera Dan!

I made a search in the winery directory and couldn't find your winery... is your website www.laderavineyards.com?

I have not been to Napa yet, but hope to go there one day!

Chris

[Ladera Dan]

Chris,
Great to hear from you. Yes our website is www.laderavineyards.com. In the valley we are located in the northeastern hills just east of St. Helena. Our website tells it all so check it out. Have you been to any other wine regions before? I have read about a lot of regions but have not traveled to a lot of them. I would like to get up to oregon and the washington region. Visited Chat St Michelle once years back but did not do extensive touring. If you do plan a trip or if anyone else here wants suggestions on grreat winery tours in the Napa valley I would be happy to help out. 

[winelv1]

Dan, Will be out in Napa the week of May 17th. Do we need reservations to visit? Coming out with four people on our anual trip, we actually stay in St Helena. Would love to visit, and will check out your site. We also have a web site toomuchwinetoolittletime.com check it out, alot of Napa info. Will also try to contact you at your site.

[Ladera Dan]

Winelv1,
You will need to make an appointment. Currently we a pretty open that week so it should not be a problem. Are tour schedules is like this. Tour & Tastings are set at 10, 12 and 2. These are private and only to your group. Tastings only are at 11,1 and 3. These are also private and only to your group. There is NO charge for either the tour and tasting or the tasting. The best way to make an appointment is to call the winery at 707 965 2445. On Saturdays we do not offer the tasting only selection, and we are closed on Sundays. Unfortunatly that week I will be in Colorado, but my parents are always at the winery. We would love to have you come visit. I am going to check out your web site today. If I can help with anything else it would be my pleasure.

Cheers,
Ladera Dan

[winelv1]

Thanks Dan, We will give a call and make an appointment. Would have been nice to meet you. By the way do you ship to New Jersey?

[Ladera Dan]

Yes we can ship to New Jersey. It would have been nice to meet you also. I do a lot of traveling for my parents. Sort of the road warrior, but that is how it is in a family business, lots of work and a little time for play.

[winelv1]

Great family business though, I know I envy you. I am working with Angie to set up an appointment. I can assure you we will be back to Napa again so maybe we will meet one day. I am a big Cab lover so can't wait to try yours. If you have any suggestions on other unique wineries to visit let me know.

[Ladera Dan]

Well if you are going to be up here on Howell Mountain there are some I would definitly suggest. O Shaughnessy Winery, their cave is amazing, it is more like a huge cavern than a cave. I dont know what their tour schedule is but they are worth a call. Also Lamborn Family Vineyards I have heard is a great experience. Mike Lamborn usually hosts them. Again I dont know what their schedule is like but if you can get in I would try to. Viader is also a good experience and if you are into views one of the best from Howell Mountain. They usually have room and if they dont call me at the winery I know the tasting room staff really well and can set something up for you.

In other parts of the valley, on Spring Mountian I would go to Pride for the view and the caves, Terra Valentine I would go for the winery, and I would go to Barnett for the view. I think it is one of the best in the valley.

As far as the best caves in the valley go if you are a cave person. Catherine Hall the Rutherford Location. The cave is over the top well done. You have to call the St Helena location and ask for a tour of the Rutherford location.
I have also heard that PalMaz Vineyards down near Napa has one of the most impressive caves anywhere. Fully automated and also includes a classic car garage in the cave. I have not been yet, but am planning on going soon.

Valley floor I always recommend Ehlers Estate, good cabs, and though it is a little tourist infultrated now Far Niente. The history there is great so are the wines and the buildings. When I first came to the valley you could only go there if you lived here and on a very private tour. Have not been back since they opened it to the public so cannot totally vouch for that one.

Also if you have not been to Schramsberg to see the caves it really is a must, and bubbles are always fun. If you have any specific areas you wanted to check out let me know and I can make suggestions there also.

How often do you come out to the valley?

[winelv1]

Thanks for the info, this trip out will make our fifth in three years. Would love to move out in the future. We have been to alot of wineries out there and now are trying to hit the smaller unique ones. Always looking for new wines. We have a great wine shop close by, and the wine manager is a good friend. He has stocked many of the wines we suggested from our trips, well the ones he can get. I also belong to several Napa wine clubs, and can tell you we ship alot home. We have a wine cellar that holds just under 1000 bottles, so I have to work at filling it. We visited Bremer Family Winery last year which is up on Howell Mountain. How far are they from you?

[Ladera Dan]

We are just up the hill from Bremer, probably about a 5 min drive. Viader is about 2 min up from there on the main road, deer park road. Have you been to any of the ones I suggested?

[winelv1]

Yes...we have been to Schramsberg, Pride, Barnett and Ehlers. All were great, we will probably go back to Schramsberg as the couple who will be with us have not yet visited. We will be staying at the Wine Country Inn, which is in St Helena.

[winelv1]

Just wanted to say I visited Monday May 19th as planned, Angie was a great host. Ladera wines are outstanding and I am now a customer. My favorite was the Cabernet,  a big bold wine, fruit forward with a long smooth finish. Our group of four was very impressed. The winery and grounds are beautiful and our picnic lunch was great. Thanks go to Dan for posting about Ladera here, and bringing new and fantastic wines to those who have not yet discovered them.  For anyone who has not yet visited Ladera, I strongly recommend adding it to your list.  Do go visit, you will not be dissapointed!

[hazelg]

I always adore people who's able to manage a vineyard...