Robert Craig Winery

Napa CA Tasting Room for Howell Mountain Winery

After growing up in South Texas and undergoing a stint in the Coast Guard, Robert Craig went to college in 1960s San Francisco. On weekends he and his future wife, Lynn, would visit Napa Valley—which, at the time, possessed only a few wineries. Craig went off to study for his MBA at the University of Chicago, but his thoughts kept returning to the Bay Area and the Napa wine region.

By the 1980s he was General Manager of The Hess Collection, overseeing that winery’s development of 300 vineyard acres on Mt. Veeder.

As Craig came to understand the difference between grapes grown on a mountainside versus those grown in the valley, he helped create an entirely new style for mountain Cabernets, with their ultra-concentrated flavors.

Today Robert Craig Winery is famed for its selection of mountain-grown Cabs.

Robert Craig’s winery and estate vineyards are on Howell Mountain, but—since that location is a bit difficult to reach—the tasting room is in downtown Napa. Poised beside the Napa River in a park-like setting, the beautifully-modern tasting room is friendly and relaxed. Expect a leisurely, informative tasting here.

Fascinating Fact:

Robert Craig was a guiding force behind the establishment of Napa Valley’s Spring Mountain and Mount Veeder appellations.

Amenities: Cabernet Wine Club
Founded: 1992
Signature Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Affinity (Bordeaux-style Cabernet blend)
Wine Tasting: By appointment only
Hours: Mon–Sat, 10–4

Robert Craig Tasting Room
625 Imperial Way
Napa, CA 94559
707-252-2250

email: jeff@robertcraigwine.com
website: www.robertcraigwine.com

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Suzie Rodriguez writes about travel, food, and wine from her home in the wine-country town of Sonoma, California. You can follow her travels and musings at The Culinary Gadabout.

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