About the Winery
While in Napa Valley last weekend, I visited the beautiful Piazza Del Dotto. This is my third visit to this winery and there isn’t enough words to describe the unique and incredible experience Del Dotto provides from beginning to end. Del Dotto Family Wineries & Caves focus on a small production of premium wines. When you first arrive, you are greeted by the friendly staff and given a glass of wine while you wait for your tour guide.
Tour
Our tour began in the beautiful caves, the Piazza is a work of art. The Italian marble, lime stone and Murano glass decorate the property in it’s authentic style. The tastings are direct from the barrels. Our host Simon made the experience quiet, intimate and informative. His knowledge and passion for wine is remarkable. We walked and tasted many wines, some identical with the only difference being that the wines are being aged in French Oak vs American Oak barrels. Simons began to recognize what we were enjoying and catered towards that, which made our experience more enjoyable. As you’re walking and tasting, you get to grab a card of anything that you enjoyed. The wines you taste during the tour won’t be bottled and available till months after. The wines are among the best, however if that wasn’t enough…your tour ends with an amazing pizza.
Food
While their wines are a masterpiece, their executive chef Joshua Schwartz, formerly of The French Laundry, Per Se, Bouchon and Bouley, has also been with the Del Dotto family for more than a decade and his inspired cuisine has highlighted how to marry the art of wine and food.
The Wine Down
This is a must visit. Make sure to book the cave and barrel tasting experience. This experience is pricy, but well worth it. While Del Dotto wines remains club only accessible, you can purchase some of their wines after your tour. From the multiple wines that I tasted, these were my favorite four. I can’t wait to receive my wines this fall.
Rating: 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷
🤢=🍷
☹️=🍷🍷
😐=🍷🍷🍷
😊=🍷🍷🍷🍷
😍=🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷
Rosa Chalekian 