Good Vibes Itinerary (South)

As a culmination of a career spent in the wine business as a Sommelier and now a Vintner, it is an honor to say that part of my daily life now is consulting with Napa Green in the realm of sustainability and climate action in wine. On this journey I get to visit many wineries and experience intimate behind the scenes tours & tastings with the decision-makers that run these legendary places. During this time, I’ve learned that sustainability is a beautiful way of life and business. These whole systems, regenerative practices are as essential and unique as the terroir we pride ourselves on here in Napa Valley. With that in mind, it’s truly inspiring to travel to different wineries and taste the fruits of their labor, to see all the hard work and distinct passion in what these wineries & vineyards do. What you may find is that it is unique from place to place and yet it is all connected in its endeavor to protect and preserve this beloved valley. 

Here I’ve created an itinerary that showcases a rich variety of regional efforts in the Stag’s Leap District, Oakville and northern St. Helena. What each place focuses on varies in accordance with their distinct microclimate. These three wineries also have a diversity of style, size, production and profiles. This itinerary is designed as a south to north tour around the valley checking in with some great winemakers along the way from names known globally to one star up and comer. Away we go!

Be sure to check out the second 1/2 of this itinerary! 

Ashes and Diamonds blends a mid-century modern aesthetic with contemporary winemakers. The winery produces a range of handcrafted wines that honor Napa Valley’s heritage with a modern-day flair. Its unique design and artistic approach create a distinctive tasting experience. A&D offers everything from Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon from mountain vineyards crafted by Diana Snowden and Steve Matthiasson.

Cliff Lede Vineyards is known for Cabernet Sauvignon and a commitment to blending tradition with innovation. The winery features a striking modern design and offers a curated wine experience that highlights the rich terroir of Napa Valley. But, if you are on the mailing list and in the know, you will find Jason Lede, Cliff Lede’s second-gen proprietor and manager, spinning records in the tasting room on a Friday early in the evening. Jason is a known Napa DJ who has performed at Napa’s Bottle Rock festival and countless parties at Napa’s best wine and beer bar, Cadet, in an alley off Franklin, downtown Napa.

Cliff Lede has a passionate team they employ year-round. During the slow parts of the year, they craft bird houses and paint them to attract birds and then compete and tally to see which houses get birds in the spring.

Oh! After seeing their water-thirsty landscaping consumption, Cliff redid their tasting room plantings from ‘English-insired’ to ‘Mediterranean’ to be more water conscious

(Disclosure: This is a biased recommendation! I have purchased Chardonnay from Hyde Vineyards and have known and worked with Larry, his wife Beta, and his son Chris for over 15 years. That said…) Hyde Estate Winery is renowned for its meticulously crafted, estate-grown wines from one of California’s greatest vineyards. The winery is deeply committed to sustainable farming practices and producing wines that showcase the unique characteristics of its parcels in Carneros. The wines offer an authentic Napa Valley experience that can only be described as salt of the earth.

About the author

Dan Petroski | Winemaker, Massican Wine | Board Member, Napa Green

Dan Petroski was born in Brooklyn, NY, and has the swagger and the accent to prove it. After attending Columbia University, where he played football, Petroski went to work for TIME magazine. While there, he earned his MBA. When the Wall Street Journal tried to poach him, Dan took a moment to reflect. He jettisoned to Sicily for a year, where he interned at Valle dell’Acate. While Petroski’s intention was to return to New York to sell wine, a harvest invitation in 2006 brought him to California. After harvest, Petroski was hired as Larkmead’s cellarmaster, ultimately claiming the winemaker title in 2012. Petroski spent nearly 15 years at Larkmead, but during that period he launched a white wine only brand called Massican, an ode to the Mediterranean and Petroski’s time spent living in Italy. Petroski’s approach and ability to craft wines as diverse as Cabernet Sauvignon and Tocai Friulano earned him the recognition as San Francisco Chronicle’s Winemaker of the Year in 2017 and Food & Wine magazine’s Drinks Innovator of the Year in 2022. In 2023, E. & J. Gallo purchased Massican. Growing and developing Massican to become California’s greatest white wine brand is Petroski’s primary focus now.

more climate smart itineraries