Baldacci Family Vineyards

Baldacci Family Vineyards is located in a beautiful part of the Napa Valley just off of the Silverado Trail (west side) slightly south of the Yountville Cross Road. Records show the property was originally planted to grapes in 1888; it was purchased by Thomas (Tom) & Brenda Baldacci in 1998. The site caught their eye for several reasons: an unfinished house at the time on top of one of the coveted few knolls rising from the valley floor, the views from the site, and an existing vineyard, which needed attention.

The property had been on sale for about a year before Tom and Brenda made the purchase; they saw positives that others saw as detrimental. Interested parties saw the unfinished house as too much work, and those who wanted the property purely from a viticulture perspective were discouraged by the perceived significant amount of work needed in the vineyard.

The property is located in the Stags Leap District, one of the Napa Valley’s most highly regarded Cabernet Sauvignon producing sub appellations. For approximately six years, the family sold grapes, including to notable producers such as Rombauer, Shafer Vineyards and Clos du Val. Eventually, Tom decided to build a winery rather than selling the property. Perhaps his family heritage had something to do with his decision, being the grandson of Italian immigrants, who made their own wine. Over the years the entire vineyard has been replanted. They made wine in 1998 and 1999 but not commercially – their first vintage was in 2000, released in 2003.

Tom’s father, Paul Baldacci founded Castle Construction Company in 1966; over the years this family-owned business has built thousands of homes, primarily within the San Francisco Bay Area. Since their founding, they have diversified their construction services to also include commercial spaces, office, and warehouse facilities and have renovated a number of shopping centers. Today the company is known as Castle Companies Inc, based in San Ramon, which also oversees Castle Management, a property management company. Tom is still the principal owner of the company – he used to be president of Castle Companies, Inc.

Their original purchase is now called Winery Ranch in the Stags Leap District; it is 29 acres of which 17 are planted to vines among 13 vineyard blocks including primarily Cabernet Sauvignon but also two small sections of Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot. Nearby vineyard or winery neighbors include Shafer, Ilsley, Silverado and Pine Ridge.

In 2004 they acquired the 23 acre Honey B Vineyard on the Napa side of Carneros District located near Etude Winery and Ceja Vineyards. The site is planted to 12 vineyard blocks of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Gewürztraminer. This vineyard is only 44 feet above sea level.

And in 2013, the Baldacci family purchased the 17 acre Stella Knight Vineyard just south of Calistoga and slightly north of Diamond Mountain Road on the valley floor, planted entirely to Clone 6 Cabernet Sauvignon separated into three distinctive blocks. This vineyard is primarily in the Calistoga sub appellation with a small section above 400 feet within the Diamond Mountain sub appellation. Stella Knight is named in homage to the daughter of the Thomas Knight pioneer family; Thomas is the namesake for Knights Valley in Sonoma County to the north of Napa Valley. Stella died young; a gravestone marker is located next to their vineyard although she is no longer buried here.

This diverse vineyard toolbox provides a wide variety of terroir, including soils and microclimates, ranging from the cooler south Napa Valley to the much warmer north part of the valley, with often a significant diurnal temperature range during the growing season. While the majority of their grapes are from their own properties, they also purchase grapes from other growers in Napa Valley.

The second generation is now involved in the family business; Tom and Brenda’s son Michael has been winemaker since 2018, although he began working with the winemaking team in 2012. Texture is perhaps an under rated characteristic of winemaking, but truly an important one. It plays a very important role in his winemaking. The Baldacci wines are grown to maintain their freshness and acidity while showcasing both variety and site.

The Cave
Seven thousand square feet of wine caves were originally built into the hillside (next to the winery). Parts of the caves were drilled through almost solid rock and as a result the cave construction took significantly longer than originally anticipated. As part of their upgrade, another 12,000 square feet of caves were completed in 2020. For many years, an outdoor area next to the cave entrance was used for storing tanks and select fermentation – certainly a challenging environment with difficulty at times maintaining a desired temperature control. With the additional space, all their tanks are now stored inside the cave. The new part of the cave was drilled so the vertical reach is 22 feet from the floor to the ceiling, a much more spacious interior than most wine caves in Napa Valley.

One of our pet peeves, especially with older wine caves is the terrible lighting. Trying to work in that environment is not good for one’s eyesight; refreshingly, the Baldacci Cave is outfitted with bright lights and is a great example of how wine caves should be lit.

Rather than trucking off loads of rocks, the cave spoils were used to fill in one of their fallow vineyards at the time and also were used for building rock walls on the property. A small section of one of the cave portal walls was not covered in gunnite so that the type of rock the cave was drilled through is fully exposed. A beautiful almost translucent rock is displayed here, found in one of their cave tailing piles. To date, its composition is unknown. And a bright green 1956 John Deere 420 that Michael’s great-grandfather used to use at his ranch in Knightsen, CA (near Brentwood) is displayed inside the cave, near the main entrance. Michael’s great uncle restored this beauty. The metal tree located near the cave entrance used to be at a restaurant in Danville; it was eventually dismantled and re-welded together.

Always fine tuning their winemaking, the winery owns an optical sorter; it was first used during the 2021 vintage, the same year the new cave addition was used during harvest.

Hospitality
The original Baldacci tasting room opened in 2003. After about 7 years of both planning and construction, a new hospitality center opened in July 2021. This space was envisioned by Tom who worked with architect Douglas Thorney and builder, Brady Mitchell. The interior features a seated tasting bar plus several rooms for more intimate tastings. And a gorgeous exterior terrace with seating (weather permitting) overlooking both their vineyards and surrounding picturesque terrain, is also part of the hospitality experience.

A visit here is a very personalized experience especially if one books the Cave Tour & Estate Tasting which includes a welcome glass of Baldacci ‘Pops’ Estate Grown Sparkling Wine “Brut” followed by 15-20 minutes touring the cave plus a wine sample straight from the barrel (usually one of their Cabernet Sauvignons). After the cave tour, guests are accompanied back to the hospitality house where a dedicated host serves the wines at a seated tasting (often in one of their private rooms). Other experiences including the Estate Tasting, and the popular Wine & Chocolate Tasting. And for more casual experiences, Baldacci offers wines by the glass at their tasting bar or weather permitting, outside on the terrace.

The staff is very hospitable, well trained, and knowledgeable about the wine industry. We experienced this during our first visit years ago when we peppered the educator with numerous questions above and beyond what most tourists ask (i.e., barrel aging, toast levels, types of coopers and types of oak used).

Select Wines
Whites

The 2022 Baldacci Family Vineyards Chardonnay Carneros (Honey B Vineyard) is deep gold in the glass; the bouquet is layered and richly fruited with scents of melting butter, ripe pineapple, mango, apple pie, almost over ripe cantaloupe, honeysuckle and a plethora of orchard fruits including apricot, yellow peach and nectarine. And plenty of dessert notes are also at play here including vanilla, crème Brule, butterscotch and caramel. The palate offers an intensity of flavor and perceived sweetness including of pineapple, mango, Crane Melon, apricot and dried peaches. It also sports flavors of vanilla pudding, warm butter, tapioca, baked Golden Delicious apple, and lingers with a light note of chamomile. If one were to refer to both its aromatic and flavor profile as dessert in a glass, we would not disagree. The brightness of acidity matches the richness of flavor. Quite California-esqe. Drinks very nicely by itself. This wine was barrel-fermented in 80% neutral and 20% new French oak barrels. Battonage occurred weekly for the duration of its 10 months aging.

The 2017 Baldacci Family Vineyards Chardonnay (Sorelle) was sourced from their Honey B Vineyard on the Napa side of the Carneros District. After harvesting these grapes were whole cluster pressed and then fermented in French oak barrels (30% new) using indigenous yeasts. The wine went through full malolactic fermentation and was then aged for 9 months sur lie (stirred once a week). One notices the color immediately on this wine – its darker yellow then many Napa grown current-release Chardonnays. The bouquet shows aromas of honeycomb (smells like when we use to pull out the frames from our hives up in Calistoga), ripe yellow pineapple, hints of caramel and honeysuckle blossoms. Big but balanced, the palate shows richness of flavor combined with a slightly creamy mouth feel. Rounded on the finish – lingers with flavors of vanilla, hints of butter and some dessert spices. This is a rich expression of this varietal – a wine well worth seeking out.

Many of the Baldacci wines are named after a family member or in tribute to family. This wine is a dedication to Tom’s sisters (sorelle in Italian means sisters) – from the back label, “Beauty, strength and confidence are words to describe my sisters, Lisa, Loretta and Marilyn. This wine is created to share my love for these wonderful women.”

Reds
Baldacci used to produce three separate Pinot Noir bottlings but have since focused on a single wine from this variety each year. The Elizabeth Pinot Noir is according to Michael, the most unique wine he makes each year. The grapes hang longer in the cooler Carneros marine influenced climate and are often the last of their varieties to be harvested each year. Each block is harvested separate from each other and then fermented and aged individually before the final blend is created.

The 2022 Baldacci Family Vineyards Elizabeth Pinot Noir, Carneros (Honey B Vineyard) is pale to medium ruby; the bouquet initially offers a significant contribution of barrel influenced aromas including chocolate, mocha, espresso and vanilla. Also white pepper. But there are plenty of fruited notes at play especially as the wine evolves, including of of dark raspberry, currant jam and red plum accompanied by hints of blood orange and red vine licorice. The palate is focused on its fruit core with flavors of dark raspberry, Rainier cherries, pomegranate, orange rind and a lingering note of white pepper. The tannins are very lightly grainy showcasing a rather gentle textural kiss on the finish. We would pair this wine with a lighter style meat such as lamb chops straight from the grill covered with a dry rub of assorted herbs. This wine is made from three distinctive clones including 777, Calera and Pommard. It was aged for 11 months in 55% new French oak barrels. And its namesake is in homage to Michael’s grandmother, Elizabeth “Betty” Baldacci.

The 2018 Baldacci Family Vineyards Elizabeth Pinot Noir, Carneros (Honey B Vineyard) is styled to be a more robust Pinot Noir but still reflects the varietal characteristics. Tom likes to say, “don’t make a wimpy Pinot Noir” and Michael adds, “don’t be scared of Pinot Noir in the vineyard or the cellar”. This wine spent nearly 4 days cold soaking before fermentation started and was fermented with about 5% whole cluster. It was aged 11 months in 55% new French oak barrels. The wine is medium ruby in color; opens to aromas of raspberry, dried rose petals, old cedar box and white pepper. The palate shows more fruit than the bouquet (although the bouquet does show more fruit as it opens) with flavors of red licorice, raspberry and a note of red cherry. Has depth of flavor complemented nicely with a simultaneous suppleness running the breadth of the palate.

The 2018 Baldacci Family Vineyards Syrah, Honey B Vineyard is dark ruby in color with purple tinges on the rim; the aromatics are very distinctive and are floral including notes of violets and dried herbs. The aromatics are savory, yet they are also elegant. Highly youthful and energetic in the glass the wine offers mouthwatering flavors of dark cherry, black licorice and boysenberry. Fresh, lively and juicy. The tannins are well-textured and noticeable with a medium grip and are slightly chewy, but not course in their feel. These grapes can hold up to a heavier oak toast profile. There is plenty of life ahead of this wine. Allocated to members only.

Fraternity Red has evolved from a blend of wines that did not fit into the rest of their portfolio to a wine that is now crafted with more intent. It was originally called the Four Sons and at one it was Merlot dominated. It has evolved over time to now be driven by Cabernet Sauvignon. Michael spends significant time on blending trials before making the final blending decision.

The 2021 Baldacci Family Vineyards Fraternity Red Blend is 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Petit Verdot, 9% Syrah, .25% Merlot and .75% Cabernet Franc. This wine is deep ruby and opaque; the bouquet offers a union of both primary and secondary aromas at this age; for reference we tasted about 2.5 years post vintage. These include cocoa powder, chocolate, blackberry pie, blueberry and dark plum. Fresh, lively and mouth watering. A fun bottling. The palate reveals flavors of dark cherry and blackberry. The grainy and gravelly tannins showcase some density, and are long lasting and persist with a drying character. This wine clearly over delivers for the price point. Often the Baldacci customers will open this wine in favor of some of their more expensive bottlings, preferring to save some of the single vineyard/varietal wines for extra special occasions.

Stags Leap District is one of Napa Valley’s most well-known regions for growing Cabernet Sauvignon and Baldacci produces two 100% varietal wines from their estate (Winery Ranch); the Black Label and Brenda’s Vineyard.

The 2021 Baldacci Family Vineyards Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District (Winery Ranch); this has been made since their first commercial vintage in 2000. And it is one of two Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings from this property. This wine is 100% varietal; it is deep ruby and opaque. The bouquet is both elegant and simultaneously ripe with aromas of blackberry, dark cherry, some light floral notes including of violets, a hint of cinnamon stick, and a molasses/caramel note found deeper in the bouquet as the wine opens. The aromas clearly show the purity of the variety. The tannins sport a gravelly character and continue to pace the fruit for sometime before finally pulling ahead. And the finish lingers with a persistent dusty character. But the tannins are already fairly rounded in their youth. This wine reveals flavors of blackberry, dark cherry, plum and strawberry; it was aged for 22 months in 75% new French oak barrels.

The 2018 Baldacci Family Vineyards Black Label Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon is dark ruby in color; reveals aromas of dust, blackberry and other darker fruits. Also, savory and briary with a hint of pepper herb note along with cedar and an iron nuance on the bouquet. Shows plenty of textural density of tannins on the finish, gravelly, more rounded in feel than coarse and certainly long lasting. Some of the savory notes on the bouquet show on the finish including a hint of pepper and old cedar box.

The 2021 Baldacci Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Calistoga (Stella Knight Vineyard); this wine is dark ruby and opaque in the glass. It tends to be more red-fruited than dark, consistently each vintage. The bouquet offers aromas of dust, blood orange, pomegranate juice, dark cherry, boysenberry and Pakistani mulberry. It is sweetly fruited with a lot of layers and depth to the bouquet. Flavors include: blackberry, boysenberry and dark plum. The fruit is the star of the show here both on the bouquet and the palate. The tannins are gravelly, grainy and pixelated. Texturally this wine far outpaces the fruit on the extended finish. Juicy. Complex, layered and intriguing. We noted the intensity of both fruit and texture. This wine was aged for 22 months in 75% new French oak barrels. Usually a normal yielding vintage results in approximately 1,000 cases produced per year, but 2021 was a lower production and only 725 cases were bottled.

The 2018 Baldacci Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Stella Knight Vineyard Calistoga is medium to dark ruby in color; offers very pretty aromatics that are ripe but not over ripe. Includes dark plum, blackberry and cedar. Also, a sweetness of fruit. The palate shows both red and dark fruits – and is very balanced from start to finish. Offers a surprising freshness across the palate that perhaps one doesn’t always associate with warmer Calistoga vineyard sites. Features rounded and slightly chalky tannins.

The 2018 Baldacci Family Vineyards Brenda’s Vineyard Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon is a barrel selection of their best barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon each year. While this is a barrel selection, prior to harvest each year, Michael already has an idea of the best blocks that will be allocated to this particular wine, a reserve bottling if you will. This wine was aged in 85% new French oak. Offers plenty of darker fruit aromatics on the bouquet including blackberry and plum along with dark olive and dark chocolate. Opens to some dessert spices as it evolves in the glass including mocha and hints of cedar box. This wine offers an intensity of fruit across the palate (well layered) without being texturally heavy. Big but balanced. Texture is a hallmark of this beauty with its dusty, earthy and slightly chalky tannins. Allocated to members only.

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For the first time in 2018, Baldacci Family Vineyards produced a very limited production 100% varietal Cabernet Sauvignon from grapes in the Diamond Mountain District part of the Stella Knight Vineyard and from their winery estate vineyard. This wine was aged entirely in new French oak barrels for 22 months and then spent another 36 months in bottle before it was released. It is sold exclusively as a three-pack.

Consumers who gravitate towards slightly older wines will be interested in the Baldacci Winemaker’s Collection, a three bottle set of wines that are 10 years old. This offering was originally meant for subscription members but non members began asking how they could purchase, so the decision was made to offer these special releases to both subscription and non subscription members.

Baldacci was one of the early clients in Total Wine & More – back when they operated less than 15 stores. Today this retailer operates more than 150 stores around select parts of the country and Baldacci’s wines are still selectively carried in-store.

Also, interesting to note is the prominent old red barn just south of their cave and hospitality center; this stood in as a fake winery in a scene from the 2019 movie, Wine Country.

Baldacci Vineyards should never be confused with Balducci Vineyards, located in Augusta Missouri; note the slightly different spelling of the last name.

Old timers will recall the short turn lane into the original entrance. This has since been changed to a turn lane further south of the winery, with the driveway paralleling the Silverado Trail for about a 1/4 of a mile before reaching their parking lot. Total annual production typically run between 12,000 and 15,000 cases. Rather than traditional wine clubs, Baldacci Family Vineyards offers several subscription programs including Royal Stag, Imperial Stag and Monarch Stag. Each offers flexibility of shipment frequency, complimentary tastings and discounts on shipping.

For more information, to schedule a visit and tasting or to join one of their wine subscriptions, visit: www.baldaccivineyards.com

Hospitality