Terra Valentine

Terra Valentine takes winemaking to a new level-about 2,100 feet above the Napa Valley. It is a winery that brings together a state-of-the-art fermentation system with the uncovered beauty of an artisan-constructed building-a colorful and well-hidden treasure of Spring Mountain history. Visitors to the Terra Valentine Winery know they've arrived in an extraordinary place even before setting foot inside. A Greco-Romanesque statue greets them from his perch above the enormous copper-plated double door that serves as the winery entrance. The doors' metal knobs are designed to look like large fish, graciously arching their backs into convenient handles. And that's just the front door. Completed in 1970, the two-story, 17,000-square-foot winery is made of native stone and concrete. While the uniquely designed winery was in active use until the early 1980s, the reclusive nature of previous owner Fred Aves kept its existence largely secret. In 1999, Angus and Margaret Wurtele discovered the Spring Mountain gem, purchased the winery and surrounding vineyard and began refurbishments. State-of-the-art fermentation equipment and modern electricity and plumbing were added, while the winery's stained glass, carved wood and other one-of-a-kind design features were preserved. Angus and Margaret Wurtele appreciate the vitality of their young company, mentoring the staff at Terra Valentine to succeed at the challenges of mountain winemaking. "I would like to see our company energized and managed directly by young people who have the latest technical education, know the business and have the benefit of a group of advisors," said Angus Wurtele. "In working with this young team, we are developing the next generation of winemakers and managers." Winemaking with Mountain Intensity Terra Valentine is distinguished by more than an intriguing past. The winemaker's goal is to make exceptional Spring Mountain District estate-produced cabernet sauvignon. Equipped with 15 automated punch-down fermentation tanks, Terra Valentine is able to achieve high-quality, gentle extraction of their red grapes in an efficient and controlled environment. This method, previously available on small lots only, has been implemented on a larger scale. The result is a more uniform extraction of the cap (the layer of grape skins formed during fermentation), which means more color and pleasing flavors in the wine. State-of-the-art technology enables Winemaker Sam Baxter to take cabernet production to the next level. But his modern approach is tempered with respect for tradition. "I feel strongly that the old way of making wine could in some ways be better than trying to over-think too much of the process," he said. This balance is especially important when addressing the unique challenges of mountain winemaking. "There are a lot of tannins and intensity in mountain fruit, and I think there is a tendency in mountain vineyards to over-extract," explained Baxter. "We're trying to develop a more balanced wine. The reward is producing a wine with intensity that is elegant and approachable. That's what mountain fruit can give you when it's reined in properly." Once Baxter has coaxed a balanced juice from the grapes, the wine goes to barrels for aging. The winery's stone and concrete construction and hillside location provide naturally cool temperatures and high humidity for the storage of 2,000 wine barrels. Picking up where Mother Nature leaves off, a new cooling and humidification system also has been installed. An Artisan Treasure If you can tear your eyes away from the breathtaking views at Terra Valentine, you'll be rewarded for your efforts. There is more detail in this winery than a Faberge egg. A Renaissance man of wide-ranging interests and self-education, Aves handset the winery's stonewalls, largely by himself. To construct the floors and elegant curved columns on the upper floor, he built his own concrete batch plant on site. Stained glass windows grace nearly every wall of the winery. The windows portray ancient winemaking images and scenes from Roman and Greek mythology. (Click on the stained glass links to see more.) Between the winery's two floors are matching cast iron spiral staircases, the steps of which are sculpted images of grape clusters. The railings are designed to look like grape vines. The staircase on the northern end of the winery ascends to the second floor into a large mock wine cask with a doorway. Sumptuous oak paneling lines the wall of the tasting room. The paneling was originally built for a London wine merchant's office and brought over piece-by-piece for the walls of William Randolph Hearst's San Simeon. Aves discovered the paneling, which had never been installed by Hearst.

Napa, United States

3787 Spring Mountain Road,

(707) 967-8340