If you’re driving on Highway 29 in Napa Valley, it’s hard to miss the towering stone and iron gates of Del Dotto Estate Winery, with the large ceramic amphorae flanking each side. But if you head there, you’ll find an even more impressive design at the end of the driveway: a Venetian-style palace built into the hillside, complete with wine cellars.
“When we studied our family’s history and discovered that it was Venetian and dated back to 1150, we decided to design a vineyard that honored our heritage,” said Dave Del Dotto, co-owner and founder of my recent stopover. to the farm.
Dave, a retired real estate and infomercial mogul, and his spouse, Yolanda, invited stonemasons from Italy to build the 16,000-square-foot palace, which features a marble exterior, fountains, statues, olive trees and vines. the vaulted ceiling with large Murano glass chandeliers, vertiginous arches, marble pillars, stone mosaics and exquisite Venetian art. And captivating opera music resonates through the sound system.
“My dad loves opera music, as you can imagine,” said Desirée Del Dotto, director of operations and director of marketing for the winery, as well as the other 3 wineries owned by the circle of relatives (Piazza Del Dotto Winery
After years of construction, Del Dotto Estate Winery
“We’ve hosted and filmed with the Kardashians here three times, and we’re honored that Kylie Jenner chose us as her first winery stopover for her 21st birthday,” Desiree wrote.
Perhaps one of the reasons celebrities and thousands of visitors are attracted to Del Dotto Estate Winery is the exclusive wine tasting they offer.
“We believe in allowing visitors to taste not only the other Napa Valley varietals and appellations, but also feel the effect of the other types of oak aging on the wine,” Desiree explained as she and Dave walked me through of the “sacred caves”.
Oak wine barrels covered both sides of the very long cave, with finely tiled floors and walls and more chandeliers. Desiree used a wine thief to skillfully extract red wine from a barrel and graciously poured it into our waiting wine glasses.
“It’s AVA St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley and aged in French oak barrels,” he explained. “Then we’re going to try the same American oak wine. “The difference is striking, French oak brings sensitive notes of honey and hibiscus chili, while American oak elevates the wine with broader notes of crème brûlée, mocha and vanilla.
“We ask visitors what they like best and inspire them to ask questions rather than lecturing them about wine,” Dave explained.
Désirée says many visitors ask her what her favorite wine is and she responds that her opinion doesn’t matter. “Wine is like art, and you like what you like. It doesn’t matter what I or anyone else likes.
Not to be outdone, Dave chimed in. Wine is like liquid art. It’s like going to the Louvre, and if you could take a portrait or a statue and drink it, it would be art.
In total, Del Dotto makes another 30 diversifications and vintages of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon in very small batches, and visitors are allowed to taste five to eight barrels directly, as well as a collection of bottled wines. Guests then find their favorite barrels and Del Dotto will bottle and ship the wine to them.
“Our biggest challenge is to sell our wines on a very temporary basis with this tasting method,” admits Désirée.
Desiree Del Dotto, director of operations at Del Dotto Winery, pours wine from the barrel for visitors
Over the years, Del Dottos has managed to earn many top marks from wine critics, including Robert Parker, who gave them three 100-point scores. One of them for their 2012 version of “La Bestia,” a special red blend made from select rows of vineyards.
“We called it ‘The Beast’ because the first time a friend tasted it they called it ‘wine beast,'” Dave explained.
The wine, which is sold in a special “cage box”, is produced in very limited quantities and is sold to wine club members almost without delay at the current price of $295 per bottle. This is a great red blend with rich, concentrated flavors of cassis, black plum, graphite, cocoa and coffee beans, with a long and complex finish.
Dave commented that “The Beast” is resold on the secondary market in Asia to collectors, who have paid up to $1,000 per bottle, “and he sent me videos of his tastings comparing it to Château LaTour. “
“Sacred Caves” at Napa Valley’s Del Dotto Winery
But Del Dotto Estate Winery only focused on Cabernet Sauvignon, as they own a hilltop winery on the Sonoma Coast where they produce premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. They also produce sauvignon blanc, syrah, cabernet franc, merlot, sangiovese and several delicious sparkling wines. In total, they own 108 acres of winery and produce around 20,000 copies of wine per year, which they usually sell directly to consumers.
Vineyard visitors can make a reservation in advance for a bar tasting for $75 per user or a cave and barrel tasting experience for $120 per user. A smart plan is to schedule a morning tasting at Del Dotto Estate Winery and then drive a few minutes down Highway 29 to his second vineyard, Piazza Del Dotto Winery
The Del Dotto wine family: Giovanni, Desiree, Yolanda and Dave Del Dotto (left to right)
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