| Conn Creek’s enduring commitment to Bordeaux-styled red wines started in 1973 when it was founded by Bill and Kathy Collins. Conn Creek was among a small group leading a renaissance of the Napa Valley and played an important part in establishing Napa Valley’s reputation as a fine wine growing region. In 1979, the Collins family built what is now Conn Creek Winery in the Rutherford appellation. This energy-efficient facility was perhaps the first “green” winery building in Napa Valley and includes 12”-thick walls made of Styrofoam, steel mesh, gunite and a total of 20,000 corks. Today, nearly 40 years after its founding, Conn Creek is still focused on what Napa Valley does best: Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varietals. Conn Creek secures fruit from vineyards in nearly all of Napa Valley’s renowned sub-appellations that are proven to grow exceptional grapes that produce wines of character and expression. It’s an approach that captures the “Best of Napa Valley” and provides winemaker Elizabeth DeLouise-Gant with an unparalleled palette from which to blend each wine and vintage. Through these diverse sites and regions, we explore the differences between Napa Valley’s sub-appellations as well as the ways in which they complement one another. The original Mediterranean-style winery has undergone several renovations, including an expanded barrel room and the addition of a vineyard garden. In 2009 Conn Creek opened its AVA Room and launched its Barrel Blending Experience®, a one-of-a-kind seminar in which participants taste barrel samples of Cabernet Sauvignon from select Napa Valley sub-appellations along with other Bordeaux varietals before blending their own bottle to take home. It’s a chance to play winemaker for a day and appreciate the skill and art that goes into crafting world-class wine. |
