Kenzo Estate, Napa Valley - 2020

kenzoestate.com

If you're looking for a Napa winery to visit that is located in a breathtaking setting, no huge throngs of guests and wonderful wines, consider a stop at Kenzo Estate. Kenzo Estate is located in a valley near the slopes of Mt. George, off highway 121. The winery covers almost 4,000 acres, with 150 acres of planted vines.  This location was once used by the US Equestrian Jump Team as a training ground.

Advance reservations are needed to visit the winery. Visitors are offered three experiences: a tour and tasting, tasting a flight of four wines or a combination of a tour, tasting and Bouchon plated lunch. We opted for the lunch option.

Over two hours, our group of four experienced what felt like a private tour. This included a short walk into the vineyard, production winery and wine cave. Our terrific guide that provided information about the winery, Kenzo Estate approach to winemaking, winery history and geography and a bit about Kenzo Tsujimoto, the owner of Kenzo Estate. For those unfamiliar with Tsujimoto, he is the founder of Capcom, located in Japan, one of the world's most successful video game publishers. His business success permitted him to invest $100 million into Kenzo Estate.



The heritage of the wines produced at Kenzo Estate is heightened with guidance from winemaker Heidi Barrett and viticulturist David Abreu.  Heidi Barrett has been called the "first lady of wine" and the "Queen of Cult Cabernet" by wine critic Robert Parker. David Abreu is the most sought after Napa valley viticulturist, having planted and managed some of the very best Napa valley vineyards.

As current travel destinations are somewhat limited during this time of limiting social distances, a day trip to intimate Kenzo winery was a great way to relax with friends in a beautiful setting over a winery tour, flight tasting and lunch.

If you're wondering what wines were purchased, I purchased: a bottle of 2016 Murasaki (Merlot 57%, Cabernet Sauvignon 31%, Malbec 6%, Cabernet Franc 3% and Petit Verdot 3%) and a bottle of 2016 ai (Cabernet Sauvignon 87%, Malbec 4%, Merlot 4%, Petit Verdot 3%, Cabernet Franc 2%). Although I would enjoy these wines, I’m contributing both to a fundraising auction of a non-profit I support.