The Beaune Yard

Late 2006

Judd’s Hill Winery – Napa – Winery Tour

There are wineries and then there are wineries.  Judd’s Hill is one of those places that once you visit, you will never forget.  It could be the elegant wine, it could be Bunnie meeting you at the front to show you around or it could be Judd inviting you to help with the push down or it could just be all of this wrapped into one.

My fascination with Judd’s Hill started back in the early 2000 and I will freely admit here that I have a bias towards Judd’s Hill based on this.  However, the accolades won by the wines and the winery speak for themselves.  When I was first getting into good wine I was encouraged to buy a case of Judd’s Hill Merlot.  I had tried a bottle and absolutely loved it.  It was a big spend for me at that time and it was a cherished possession.  I savored that wine each and every time I drank it and it seemed to get better each time I had a bottle.  I still had one bottle left when I had a chance to visit the winery. 

First and foremost, Judd’s Hill is a definite for the wine cellar and is an absolute must for a wine destination.  If you find yourself in Napa take the time to stop by.  If you can’t make it to the winery then find some of their wines, you will not regret it.  The Merlot is no longer available (see explanation below) but the wines are out of this world and only get better each year.

Upon entering this modest winery operation you are immediately greeted by some of the most genuine and warm people you will ever meet.  Bunnie met us at the door and started the tour.  She called in Judd, the obvious namesake of the winery, and we took a tour.  During the tour we were actually able to participate in the push down and feel a connection to the wine of that year like nothing else.  The entire process was family, down to earth and very unpretentious which is a nice thing for Napa.  As we were talking with the family we told them about the case of Judd’s Hill Merlot and how it had been a treasure for us.  It should be known that Judd was in the film industry prior to coming to the winery and his Merlot is now the exclusive Merlot of the Sundance Film Festival.  This entire trip and the stories associated with how we came to know and love Judd’s Hill seemed to bring us closer as a group but I would guess based on subsequent interactions with the family that they are just this kind and genuine.

We spent an hour in the tasting room talking with Judd about the wine, his hobbies (including the Ukelele) and the winery.  It was a tour and event that I will remember for a lifetime.

Just as an example of the type of people you are coming to know.  We ordered two magnums for our kid’s birth years that we are cellaring.  They came, but they also came personalized by Judd and the Family with notes to our kids written on the outside.  When you are thinking about the wine you are drinking and enjoying time with friends, isn’t this the type of place, the type of people you want to be with.

This review does not talk about the wines.  I will do this later as each one deserves its own place to discuss.  The wines are elegant, sophisticated and unpretentious just like the family and are worth every penny that you would spend. 

On an inside note, thanks to Bunnie and the family for our treat at Terra.

Remember that life is too short for bad wine or bad friends.