Flora Springs (The Room)

St. Helena, CA

I had not personally been to Flora Springs in 25 years.  We have driven by many times and maybe thought about stopping, but when they made the tasting room really fancy looking a few years ago I thought that maybe they were more about other things than just the wine.  But what a treat it turned out to be when we finally decided to try it out!!!  Yes, they have a great outdoor tasting area and an outdoor upstairs lounge and all kinds of great events but the wine was truly excellent.

We had made arrangements in advance and were treated to a seated tasting outdoors.  Our host was Tom, a retired dentist who works a couple of days a week.  This is a job I would like when I retire but maybe if I had been a dentist I would not have to wait for this job until I become too old and weak to stand on my feet for 6-8 hours a day.  We had brought our own lunch so we tasted as we ate; for those of you that are not as prepared, Dean & DeLuca is just across the street.  Our lunch, not coming from Dean & DeLuca was probably 1/3^rd the price but equally good. 

The Room

Tom must have liked us that day as we tasted quite a few wines.  The winery features four different levels/classes including the Signature Series, the Napa Valley Series, the Single Vineyard Series and  the Winery Only Wines.  We started with a Pinot Grigio and tasted both Chardonnay’s, ($20 and $30 one being a bit crisper than the second that received some malolactic fermentation.  We also tasted the Merlot as well as the Napa Valley Cab ($40) and a Cab Franc.  From there we tasted a couple of the Single Vineyard Cabernets.  The Holy Smoke and Wild Boar stood out, both priced at $85.

Coutyard

The Facility, known as ‘The Room’, has your typical tasting room and then has additional spaces including a great courtyard and then a rooftop deck that is used for events.  There appears to be all kinds of activities that take place at the facility.  The one that interested us is their monthly Dinner and Movie series, a lobster dinner in the courtyard followed by a Movie in the rooftop lounge ($99).  

Flora Springs has a second facility know as ‘The Estate’.  This is housed in a historic 19^th century building and is similar to some of the older facilities in the valley such as the Rubicon (Inglenook buildings).  Tasting and Tours and Tastings at the Room run from $20 with additional options available while tasting at the ‘Estate’ start at $40 but include a wider range of the premium wines.    No reservations are required at the ‘Room’ but they are required at the ‘Estate’.

What we liked: The facility/grounds, Tom, the Single Vineyard Cabs

What we bought: Napa Valley Cabernet

Vitals-

677 St. Helena Highway (29)

St. Helena, CA  94574

(707) 967-8032

www.florasprings.com