Our journey with Sequoia Grove Winery has been one of the most consistent parts of our wine journey. We are naturally drawn to what we call “big reds”—wines with a lot of character, great balance, and deep flavors. We’ve been wine club members here for several years now, a journey that started after our friends, Julie and Christi, introduced us to the estate.
At the time, we were feeling a bit "homeless" in the Napa wine world; we hadn't really found a winery we truly enjoyed after Franciscan was converted to Prisoner. Finding Sequoia Grove felt like finding a new home base.
Terroir and the Single Vineyard Series
Their reds, specifically the Single Vineyard Series, are what keep us coming back. It’s fascinating how you can taste the difference between grapes grown just a few miles apart. We learned today that Sequoia Grove names these wines after the wine growers who actually farm the land—which is a nice way to honor the people behind the bottle. The only exception is Stagecoach, which is named for the famous vineyard site up on Atlas Peak.
The winery itself sits on the Rutherford Bench—a specific type of gravelly soil that gives their estate wines their unique, dusty tannins. They also source from great growers like Lamoreaux, Christian, and Tonella. Jon is always a fan of a solid Cabernet Franc, and Sequoia Grove's version has consistently been a favorite for us year after year.
Our Cellar & The Rare Reds Community
We’ve been part of the Rare Reds Wine Club since the beginning. It’s always fun to see what new finds are in the shipment when we go to pick up. We’ve been tucking a few favorites away in our cellar to see how they develop over time:
- The Cambium: Their signature blend—it’s a powerful expression of the best fruit from that year.
- Tonella Vineyard Cabernet Franc: Really aromatic and easy to love. It’s the wine that made us fans of Cab Franc in the first place.
- Morisoli Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon: A classic example of that "Rutherford Dust" profile—dark fruit and a really solid structure.
- Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon: This one comes from the mountains and has a rugged, bold style that stands out from the valley wines.
- Lamoreaux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon: A smoother, more elegant wine from the Oak Knoll District that balances out our collection.
The Elevation of the Culinary Program
One of the best changes we’ve seen over the years is how much they’ve put into their food. Their current chef, Bryce Palmer, has really made the Wine Tasting experience something special. We recently had the "Wine and Bites" with the Single Vineyard flight, and the snacks were amazing. It’s a great way to see how much better a wine tastes when you have the right bite to go with it.
Take some time to learn more about their story. As they say, they "honor the past while looking toward the future." We believe that in order to start a new, something must fall away or die to bring new growth—and it’s been great to watch this winery evolve while staying true to its roots. We’re looking forward to sharing more about our visits here in the future.
Disclosure: We are longtime wine club members of Sequoia Grove Winery. This post reflects our genuine appreciation for their craft and hospitality.