Saviez Vineyards

(pronounced like “Saviay – the “z” is silent) is located in the northern part of Napa Valley right off the Silverado Trail near the intersection of Larkmead Lane and Silverado Trail. This location and family have a lot of history in Napa Valley. The winery was originally established in 1900 and besides making their own wine, they sell grapes to other wineries and provide vineyard management services. Francois Saviez the original Patriarch of the family initially provided vineyard management for Lily Coit’s estate on nearby Larkmead Lane (Lily is of Coit Tower Fame in San Francisco). Saviez continued operation during prohibition by selling Sacramental wine to the Catholic Church, although at one point Francois was arrested for bootlegging, a common practice among some vintners during these trying times in the wine industry. The Saviez’s spoke of how when his wine was destroyed the nearby creek ran red down to the Silverado Trail with the wine.

For the first time in their history they have a tasting room (opened in 2005) which is on the site of Francois’s original home. All visits are by appointment only, you will never see an open sign in front of the winery! Their property sits right up against the hills and is only a few hundred feet drive past the gate (which rises straight up into the air) to the actual winery. They recently finished a complete remodel to the house on site which has been converted to their indoor tasting room. A nice fireplace provides lots of warmth on cold winter days. Or if the weather is nice you can certainly taste outside on their deck overlooking the vineyards and Silverado Trail in the distance. You might even see some wild Turkeys, Red Tail Hawks or Jackrabbits. The property backs right up against the wild, steep forested slopes of the Palisades and Vaca Mountains, so you never know what visitors might come down to their vineyards. Yes, they even have a mountain lion story which you will have to ask the Saviez’s about. During the remodel, the landscaping was completely changed to accomodate a seasonal creek which runs next to the outdoor tasting area. This property can be among the hottest in the Napa Valley and in the summer tastings are often conducted in the shade of a huge oak tree. Tastings are very informal and are always with one of the Saviez Family members.

Saviez is not afraid to buck current popular varietal trends with case in point being their Muscat Canelli, a French Colombard, appropriately labeled the “French Kiss” (this is a wine that only a handful of Napa wineries produce) and of course their Flagship wine, the Zinfandel. You want an excellent Zinfandel – come here! We tried the 2003 estate vintage. Nice berry aromas fill the bouquet which follows to the palate which also picks up cherry flavor as well as a characteristic Zinfandel spiciness towards the finish. This a rich concentrated wine with lots of layered fruit flavors and tannins that positively sing. They do make several delicious Cabernet Sauvignons and without question, one of the nicest Muscat Canellis in the Valley. All of their wines are priced very reasonably. We highly recommend this personal tasting experience.
Visit: www.saviezvineyards.com

NOTE: This review has been archived.
REASON: Stopped producing wine commercially, sold the property and is now home to Davis Estate