Etude Winery (Napa, CA)
Advice on how to get the most out of your travels!
- $20-$30/person
- Walk-in
Great For:
- Pinot Noir
- Country Charm
- Easy City Access
Overall Rating (4/5)
- $$$
- Napa, CA
Wine
Etude is a label you may recognize from wine lists nationwide – the estate Pinot Noir has a decent distribution channel. The estate Pinot, at $45/bottle represents classic, scrumptious Carneros Pinot Noir.
| Varietal | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| White | ||
| Pinot Blanc | $28 | Dry, classic “red wine drinker’s” white |
| Chardonnay | $32-60 | Floral and light on oak, refreshing crisp Chards |
| Pinot Rose | $25 | A perfect summer treat – hurry because the Roses are the first to sell out each year |
| Red | ||
| Pinot Noir | $45-95 | At $45 you get a tried and true classic Carneros Pinot. The Heirloom, at $95 is pure elegance |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | $85-110 | You get what you pay for – outstanding Cabs, for a pretty penny. I always stick to just tasting these |
Visiting the tasting room in Napa, however, it’s all about the small production reserve bottles. I highly recommend doing the reserve tasting as that way you get to taste my favorite, the Heirloom Pinot. The cabs are quite exquisite as well, and they better be considering the price point!
Etude’s wines are all fabulous, but of course, you get what you pay for. This is not a place to go for bargain hunting, but rather an opportunity to sip lush, smooth Pinot Noir while taking in the beauty of Carneros, Napa.
Service
Service has been mixed the various times I have come to the tasting room. In general, I’ve much preferred my experience when sitting outside on the patio. I personally find it harder to really take in the beauty of the wine when standing at a tasting counter. Try to get a seat outside if you can and also, ask for Angel, he provided outstanding service on my last visit. My husband’s family was visiting from Mexico and he gave us bilingual descriptions of all of the wine! What a great first impression of Napa for my family.
Grounds
I really love the old stone buildings and the remote setting of the tasting room. As mentioned previously, there is a nice outdoor patio where you can enjoy your tasting al fresco. Note that they currently do not have a permit that allows for eating at the tables, but are in the process of obtaining one. Keep your picnic at home for now.
In addition to the stone buildings and well-manicured lawn, you can stroll through the vineyards that are directly adjacent to the parking lot. Doesn’t get much more up close and personal than that!
Club
To join the wine club you must commit to four shipments a year. There are two options for the club, the first is for just Pinots (includes rose, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir) and the average shipment price is $125. The second option includes all of their wines and shipments cost a bit more, an average of $150. Members of both clubs receive a 15% discount on all wines and complimentary tastings for up to 4 people. The club hosts a couple of events throughout the year, but all require the purchase of a ticket. One more frustrating aspect of the club is that they will only hold shipments for a month before mailing them to you at at flat rate of $15. In the year that I have been a member I have only made it to the winery in time to pick up my wine once.
Something that makes Etude Special?
One fun feature of the tasting room is the soil display. You can see samples of and learn about the different types of soil were each of their wines is grown. Always nice to get an education while drinking wine 🙂
What is your favorite Napa Valley Pinot Noir?
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