Mike and Sandy Davis are one of the many couples who left a successful technology business to pursue a dream of owning a winery. They once were just tourists enjoying a glass of wine in Napa, musing what it would be like to operate a winery. Their dream came true in 2011 when they bought a 155-acre property along the Silverado Trail in Calistoga. This property isn’t just for vineyards, but for guests eager to enjoy their hospitality while sipping wine and soaking up the views of the Vaca Mountains.
The couple and their son Brandon make this a real family estate. Winemaker Walter Leiva gets consulting advice from the legendary Phillipe Melka in making wines that balance power with finesse. About 29 acres of the property are planted to vine, including the Davis Estates Home Vineyard. Other vineyards are in Carneros, Rutherford and Howell Mountain—all premium locations.
Here’s an introduction to a trio of their delicious wines:
Davis Estates Cabernet Franc Napa Valley 2023 ($115). Generous aromatics of violets and raspberries with a spike of herbs. Blackberry and cherry flavors dominate a soft but durable palate accented by olives and tobacco.
Davis Estates Zephyr 2022 ($135). This is a blend of cabernet sauvignon (53 percent), cabernet franc, merlot, malbec and petit verdot. Classic Bordeaux-like character with a dark color, herbal and dark fruit aromas, raspberry and black cherry flavors with a hint of dark chocolate. Very concentrated but enjoyable without further aging.
Davis Estates Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 ($155). One of the legendary sites for Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon, Rutherford produces wines dark in color and earthy in character. We liked the concentrated flavors of black cherries and blackberries. Hint of licorice and mocha.
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