If the dad in your life loves wine, these wineries, vineyards, and special vintages are sure to please.
Dads deserve great wine, and a trip to a wine region is the ultimate splurge for fathers who want to immerse themselves in wine culture this Father’s Day or any day. Here are my picks for destinations across the U.S. (including your own house) that spoil dads with unique wine-tasting experiences.
Bryan, Texas
The tasting room at Messina Hof in Bryan
Adjacent to College Station, home of Texas A&M, is one of the state’s flagship winemakers, Messina Hof. While they have a tasting room in Texas Hill Country (increasingly becoming known as Texas Wine Country), and two more in Grapevine and Harvest Green, their location in Bryan is a lovely getaway in a quiet town, where dad can truly feel like he’s on vacation. Stay at the Villa Bed & Breakfast right on the Messina Hof estate – each room is decorated differently and feels like staying in your Italian grandparents’ home. Take a few steps to the tasting room, and you’re presented with wines that reflect over 40 years of experience, each better than the next. Next door is the Vintage House Restaurant, where your waiter will suggest wine pairings to complement farm-fresh meals. And for a special treat, schedule a cellar tour so dad can sample wines straight from the barrel.
TIP: Order some wines from the Paolo line and be sure to try the Sagrantino, as Messina Hof is the largest producer of this varietal in the nation.
Napa Valley, California
Cliff Lede Winery and Vineyard as seen from Poetry Inn.
If dad loves some music with his wine, look no further than Cliff Lede Vineyards for a beautiful getaway in the heart of Napa Valley. Enter through the garden overflowing with flowers and eye-catching sculptures and make your way to the Backstage Tasting Lounge with its clubby vibe. Here, dad can settle into a plush chair or wander the room perusing the rotating art and the coolest aspect of all – a collection of limited edition rock music paraphernalia. Signed electric guitars and framed, handwritten lyrics from the likes of John Lennon line the walls. A stroll outside will delight – each block is named after the owner’s favorite rock songs and albums, so you’ll pass vines labeled “My Generation” or “Dark Side of the Moon.” The collection composes the Cliff Lede Rock Blocks, and each year two or more of the blocks are combined into a “mash up” that is featured in the tasting room. My favorites here? Have dad try the Cabernet Franc and the Sémillon. He can thank me later.
Reserve a room at the Poetry Inn Napa Valley, a grand estate with epic views of Cliff Lede and it’s surrounding vineyard. The Inn’s vineyard is the sole source of the estate’s flagship cabernet sauvignon, the aptly named Poetry. Indulge in a three-course breakfast served on the porch and relax in a luxurious poet-themed room.
While in Napa, treat dad to a bottle to take home. The Frank Family Patriarch Cabernet Sauvignon out of Frank Family Vineyards has a special story behind it. It’s dedicated to Rich Frank’s late father and World War II vet, Hy Frank, who was deployed to Normandy and landed on Omaha Beach four days after D-Day. Frank attributes his successful career as president of Disney Studios (among other titles) to his father’s dedication, values and hard work, and he demonstrated that by presenting the first release of Patriarch to his father on his 98th birthday. Produced in very limited quantities, the Patriarch is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the best rows of vines on Frank’s personal hillside estate vineyard in Rutherford.
The Dalles, Oregon
The Sunshine Mill Artisan Plaza and Winery in The Dalles, Oregon
If Dad is a faithful Shark Tank viewer, he knows the name James Martin. Martin was the first to turn down a Shark Tank deal (from Mr. Wonderful, no less), and the first to return to the Tank, where he rejected a second offer. Instead, he took his idea of “wine by the glass” back to Oregon, where he created single serving bottles of wine called Copa di Vino. He now sells 40-50,000 cases of Copa a year but also produces small batch wine through his Quenett Winery, something dad must absolutely try on his visit. While The Dalles, in the Hood River region of Oregon, is known for its outdoor activities, the Sunshine Mill Artisan Plaza and Winery where Martin and his wife Molli introduce their wines to visitors, is an uber cool break from activity. It’s housed in a 130-year-old flour mill formerly occupied by Sunshine Biscuit Company, famous for producing Cheez-Its. Now, this winery in the Columbia River Gorge has converted a parking lot into a drive-up movie lot and offers wine tastings in the Grand Tasting Hall, where dad can check out the old factory machinery, and the whole family can shop at the artisan market.
Lodi, California
A California vineyard ripe with grapes
Lodi wine country is smaller than its neighbors Napa and Sonoma, and tastings tend to be more affordable and relaxed in this area. This is the place for the casual dad who just wants to enjoy his wine without pretension. While he can spend days traversing vineyards and wineries, he should start at Oak Ridge Winery, housed in a 50,000 gallon redwood barrel lovingly referred to as industrial chic. The first time I drank the wines from their Old Soul brand, I was hooked, and dad will be too. Old Soul Cabernet recently scored 90 points and a Best Buy ranking from Wine Enthusiast. This year, Oak Ridge is celebrating Father’s Day with a Cabs for Dad sale – buy a bottle at a great price, take a seat outside, listen to live music on Saturday, and order from the onsite food truck.
Dad’s Backyard, Den, Or Any Favorite Place
Sommsation delivers the tasting experience to you, whether you’re at home or at an event space.
If budget or time doesn’t allow for traveling far from home, you can still give dad a present that will make him feel like he’s on vacation. It may even prompt a future trip to a newly discovered wine region. Especially great for families who can’t be together for Father’s Day, the Sommsation wine tasting experience allows everyone to get together without hopping on a plane. Sommsation sets up a virtual tasting, then everyone logs in at a specified time to meet their personal sommelier and sip their way through an evening. You pick the wines that interest you most from the library of over 300 wines – we tried Sleight of Hand Cellars out of Walla Walla, Washington. Sommsation ships the bottles to each participant’s home in advance of the tasting and even offers snack foods and charcuterie boards for a full wine tasting experience. Unsure what wines dad loves the most? Use the gift card option so he can customize his tasting.
Source: forbes.com
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