In the 2017 Wine Bloggers Conference, as part of the experience, I had a hosted visit to Etude winery for dinner. Etude Wines is known for its 35-year-legacy of making high quality Pinot Noir. Jon Priest, senior winemaker at Etude, has a passion and specialty for Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon, but when I visited I also enjoyed tasting the lineup of white wines on offer as well, and purchased and took home a Pinot Gris.
While known for Pinot Noir, Etude also produces delicious Pinot Gris and Chardonnay
Etude’s winery and estate vineyard, Grace Benoist Ranch, are farmed and operated with the goal of sustaining a healthy environment and eco-system, so they may be responsible neighbors and community members. What I personally love about their practices is the use of falconry for controlling the naughty birds that eat grapes.
If you are planning a wine country visit this summer I have learned of some great experiences that await in Carneros at Etude:
- White Flight
Delight in a flight of the winery’s acclaimed white wines, featuring Pinot Gris, Carneros Chardonnay, Heirloom Chardonnay and Rosé of Pinot Noir. $30 USD per person
- Patio Tasting
An alfresco tasting, showcasing the winery’s most popular wine flights. Visitors may choose from three wine menu selections, including the Etude Tasting, White Flight or Collectors’ Flight upon arrival. $35 USD per person
- Collectors’ Tasting
A flight of five of the winery’s signature red wines, showcasing Etude’s single vineyard Pinot Noir, elegant Cabernet Sauvignon and a special library selection. $35 USD per person
- Etude Tasting
A flight of five of our Etude’s signature wines. Current releases of elegant whites, single vineyard Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. $25 USD per person
- The Study of Pinot Noir
Taste five Pinot Noirs from five distinct growing areas including Etude’s Estate Vineyards in Carneros, Sonoma Coast, Willamette Valley, Santa Barbara County & New Zealand, in a seated experience in the Heirloom Room. $60 USD per person
Visiting Etude
Etude is at 1250 Cuttings Wharf Road Napa, CA 94559 and is Open Daily 10am – 5pm
Call (707) 257-5782 for information or go to the winery website… and the winery has provided a promo code for summer 2018: Etude enthusiasts can use promo code ‘LOYAL5′ at checkout for $5 USD off the White Flight, Patio Tasting, Collectors’ Tasting, Etude Tasting, or Study of Pinot Noir.