Walt Wines
Walt has two tasting rooms to choose from. The one pictured on the left is their tasting room just off of Sonoma Square. But there is a second tasting room just across the street from the Oxbow Market in Napa. Both tasting rooms are parties waiting to happen. Both well kitted out with great tasting environments.
Walt boasts 1001 miles of Pinot. The northernmost Pinot comes from Shea Vineyard in Oregon. While the southernmost hails from near Santa Barbara. They have Chardonnay, Rose’, Sauv Blanc and various Hall and BACA wines as well, but it’s the Pinots we go there for. Walt’s website boasts 19 Pinots. You generally get to try 4-6 ast a tasting, so it takes a few visits to get them all.
Walt has pinots from all the great Pinot growing regions. You get a good taste of the areas’ terroirs with each tasting. And you get to see just how different the climates and soils are and through their impact on the grapes. Their price range is good as well. The La Brisa is on the low end at $50 bucks. And they go up in price to about $95 for Bob’s Ranch. But these are premium Pinots and worth the price.
Walt also has really cool staff that take great care of you. You get the impression they have fun working there. They’re not overly stuffy and really know their wines.