In 1885, Vittorio Sattui opened a small winery in San Francisco’s North Beach, marking the birth of what would become, after four generations, a storied Italian tradition in Napa Valley—V. Sattui Winery.
Today, the winery, located in St. Helena, California on a 38-acre organically farmed vineyard, pays meticulous detail to tradition while showcasing an exceptional experience. The winery building, designed from sketches by Vittorio’s great-grandson Dario, has the intense feel of a small Italian village.
Touted as one of the Napa Valley’s favorite places to picnic, two full acres are dedicated to enjoying food and wine under majestic oaks bordering the estate vineyards. V. Sattui also provides a delightful Italian Marketplace, featuring more than 200 artisan cheeses, hand-carved meats, and locally baked breads. All this—plus a portfolio of more than 50 wines—gives guests everything they could ask for in a picnic.
Under Dario’s leadership, V. Sattui has established itself as one of the premier, quality wineries in America. In recent years, V. Sattui has been honored numerous times as Winery of the Year at the California State Fair. After being chosen Best Winery in the San Francisco Bay Guardian’s Best of the Bay Readers’ Poll, V. Sattui was named 2012 Winery of the Year two times—in January at the Winemaker Challenge, and in March at the Monterey Wine Competition.
It’s important to note that these noted wines are sold only at the winery, by phone, or through the V. Sattui Winery website.
Although one can be impressed by high accolades and praise, the best way to know V. Sattui is to visit. So many people do that V. Sattui Winery is reputed to have one of the highest number of visitors per year of any winery in the nation.
More than 70 percent of V. Sattui wines are sourced from the winery’s estate vineyards: three
in the Napa Valley and one in Anderson Valley in Mendocino County. This selection of vineyards provides an optimal range of terroir that yield an impressive variety of superb grapes, which compose a long portfolio of award-winning wines. In fact, V. Sattui was the most highly awarded winery in both the 2012 and 2013 San Francisco Chronicle International Wine Competitions.
It’s important to note that these acclaimed wines are sold only at the winery, by phone, or through them V. Sattui Winery website. Although one can be impressed by high accolades and praise, the best way to know V. Sattui is to visit. Many people do: in fact, V. Sattui Winery is one of the Napa Valley’s most popular winery stops.
An Interview with Director of Winemaking Brooks Painter
T&T: Congratulations on being chosen San Francisco International Wine Competition’s 2013 Winemaker of the Year!
BP: Thank you. The award is in honor of the great André Tchelistcheff, so of course I am thrilled. V. Sattui submitted 33 wines and received 32 medals at the SF International Wine Competition, an awesome result. I feel like we hit the lottery! I share this success with our vineyard and winemaking team. I think that the number of different varieties and wines we make shows our understanding and talent with many different
wines and wine styles.
T&T: How do you think your background as a scientist influences the way you craft wine?
BP: A foundation in the scientific method, good chemistry, and biological analytical skills all play a role in troubleshooting wine issues, especially with wine quality control. It is also critical when developing new products and different wine styles. Knowing plant physiology is critical to understanding the changes in grapevine phenology as we go through the growing season, and decisions in the vineyard (especially how and when to harvest) have huge impacts on quality. But for all the scientific theory: that which comes from
empirical experience (using intuition, history, and hunches) will often lead one down the right path, even if it means disregarding the collegiate dogma.
T&T: What does it mean when your peers refer to you as a “winemaker’s winemaker?”
BP: In blind tastings with my peers our wines have consistently come out on top. I suppose I’m making wines that appeal to the winemakers’ palates.
WHAT TO BUY
’12 Carsi Vineyard Chardonnay – $30
Rich, light citrus, golden apple, beautifully integrated oak
’09 Preston Vineyard Cabernet – $49
Toasty, herbal aromas, subtle fruit of plum, blackberry, and olive
California Madeira Burnt – $49
Caramel, nutty, silky smooth
CONTACT
707.963.7774
info@vsattui.com
vsattui.com
TASTING
Tasting Room Open Daily 9–6 (Nov–Mar 9–5)
1111 White Ln.
St Helena, CA 94574
SPECIAL NOTES
Premium tastings without appointment, Italian deli and marketplace, picnic grounds, wine club events, weddings and receptions
Touring & Tasting is a media company that produces a wine and travel magazine and is also partner in the Hitched Wine Club.
Steve Cooper is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Hitched. You can follow him on Twitter at @hitchedmedia.
