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What Makes Bougetz Cellars in Napa Valley Unique?
Delicious wine begins with delicious grapes. That’s the story of hundreds of wineries that make up Napa Valley. But what we love about this region is that each winery finds a way to take virtually the same types of grapes, sometimes from the same suppliers, and make their varietals taste so unique. Such is the case at Bougetz Cellars in Napa Valley. Their focus is on Bordeaux varieties and the goal to deliver “well-balanced wines that express the true nature of the fruit and site.”
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Bougetz Cellars’ Napa Valley Wines
About the Founder: His Journey from Tech to Wine
Winemaker Thomas Bougetz founded Bougetz Cellars after a successful career in science and tech. His interest in wine led him to take an enology program at the South Seattle College’s Northwest Wine Academy, which is where (it is said), his interest turned into a passion.
After the program, he worked at a San Francisco winery operation named Crushpad, which has since dissolved. However, this experience training alongside established winemakers set the foundation for Bougetz’s future. He eventually decided to strike out on his own and produced his first 50 cases of wine in 2008.
About the Wine: Critically Acclaimed Bordeaux Varieties
Bougetz may have started small, but the wine world took notice when experts began rating Bougetz Cellars wines in the mid-90s in succeeding vintages. Ever evolving, Bougetz adds to its selection of world-class wines each year, and it now produces around 1,500 annual cases and sells out of many varietals each season.
Bougetz’s main focus is on Bordeaux varieties produced from grapes sourced from vineyards in the mountains and the valley floor of Napa Valley. Let’s have a look at what people are raving about!
Shall we begin with the Cabernet Sauvignon? There are several from which to choose:
- Amaryllis, in which you can taste clean, black fruits as well as layers of spice and cedar notes.
- Eminence, which offers the flavors of blackberries, cassis, and chocolate notes.
- Ardante, full-bodied wine with powerful black fruit notes.
- Jetrois, a more recent addition with bright red raspberry and black cherry notes.
- Prominence is the winery’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Savor the dark black cherry and cassis aromas, as well as the spicy and nutty notes.
The Merlot / Cabernet Franc Bougetz calls “Jovana” includes elements of blueberries, black cherries, and cedar notes. This popular wine also has a personal connection, as it’s named after Thomas’ wife, Joan.
If you like Pinot Noir, be sure to taste The Cairn, which uses grapes from the Russian River Valley. The result is a wine with “cherry cola notes and a spicy red fruit dominated finish.”
Explore more of their wines on the website including a Sauvignon Blanc called Bliss, a Viognier called Belle Reve, and more.
Where to Enjoy a Wine Tasting
Now that you know the types of wines they produce, it’s time to find out where to taste them! Bougetz Cellars opened a small tasting room in 2019, and it’s only about a 10-minute drive from Churchill Manor in downtown Napa.
- The Tasting Barn address is 1021 Atlas Peak Road, Suite C, Napa, CA, 94558.
- It is open Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and their hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- It is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
- Visit their website for more info.
You Can Also Join the Bougetz Cellars Wine Club
When you join the Bougetz Cellars Wine Club, you get privileges including special pricing on wine and shipping, a complimentary wine and cheese pairing for four (once per year), access to limited production wines, invites to members-only events, recipes from guest chefs, and more! Select from three wine club options: The Switchback Club, the Ascent Club, and the Summit Club.
Stay at Churchill Manor Bed & Breakfast
Your journey in Wine Country begins with booking an incredible place to stay. Put all of your worries behind you when you stay with us at our historic bed and breakfast. Once you park your car and walk into our garden, all of your worries about the “real world” will slip away. Walk up the grand steps to our veranda and push open the stained-glass front door to your home away from home.
Churchill Manor has 10 guest rooms for you to choose from, each with a hand-painted door bearing the name of a different AVA in the valley. Bougetz Cellars has vineyards in several AVAs in the valley, so why not select one of these rooms for the full experience?
Atlas Peak Room
Atlas Peak is a third-floor room featuring an antique king brass bed and vineyard themed decor. Atlas Peak AVA is also near the location of Bougetz Cellars’ mountaintop Stagecoach Vineyard. That’s where they source grapes for Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Malbec.
Oak Knoll Room
Our Oak Knoll is a third-floor room with a beautiful antique carved king bed, gas fireplace, and a claw-foot soaking tub. This room can also accommodate a third guest with a twin daybed.
Tulucay Room
The Coombsville AVA was originally drafted as the Tulucay AVA. Our Tulucay Room retains this original name. This second-floor room offers a king bed and a two-person soaking tub next to the fireplace. It can also accommodate a third guest.
Spring Mountain Room
Spring Mountain is a third-floor room with an ornate queen brass bed, a gas fireplace, and a bathroom with a large tiled shower. Enjoy a bubble bath in the antique claw-foot soaking tub.
Rutherford Room
Don’t miss the chance to stay in this second-floor room. The Rutherford features an antique king carved bed with comfortable seating, a wood-burning fireplace, and an antique 2-person soaking tub next to the fireplace. Bougetz Cellars also has vineyards in the Rutherford AVA. Wines produced from grapes grown in this area reward you with each sip with notes of grapefruit and lemon-lime.
Our tip: Bring a bottle of wine back from Bougetz Cellars to enjoy right here at Churchill Manor!