September 11, 2024

The new Boathouse Wine Tasting Experience at Cuvaison

I’m really excited to share the incredible Boathouse Tasting Experience at Cuvaison the other weekend. Their new offer is absolutely amazing: a delightful food and wine pairing at their recently opened boathouses by a tranquil pond in the middle of their 400-acre Tai Vineyard. On top of that, it includes a tour of the vineyard, tasting some fresh grapes, and a chance to taste wine straight from the barrels or in the caves. Basically, it’s the complete winery experience of your dreams!

No more gatekeeping. I have to share the incredible Boathouse Experience at Cuvaison that I recently had the pleasure of enjoying. It all started when Daniel’s parents came to visit from Germany, and my mother-in-law expressed her desire to visit Napa this time. And of course, I wanted to create an unforgettable experience for them. I remember telling Daniel: “I wish we could do more than just a wine tasting. Wouldn’t it be awesome if we could have a holistic experience to showcase everything surrounding viticulture and winemaking? I’d love for us to take a tour through the vineyards and the facilities, maybe even taste some grapes or from the barrels in a cellar, and then have a tasting paired with amazing food out in nature, maybe by a pond.” I didn’t even know if such a thing existed (there are not as many ponds in Napa Valley), but that’s just how I just visualized the day. 

Can you believe how pleasantly surprised I was when just 12 hours later, I found out about the new Boathouse Experience at Cuvaison? It offers everything I had wished for (or should I say, manifested?).

Cuvaison’s Boathouse Experience

The Boathouse Experience offers a private, immersive adventure that includes a walking tour through the vineyard and cellar, followed by a seated tasting in the newly designed boathouse located by the pond on the secluded 400-acre Tai Vineyard. The tasting features six estate-grown red and white wines, paired with seasonal food prepared by Cuvaison’s chef. Additionally, guests can enjoy a barrel tasting and offerings from Cuvaison’s sister winery on Mount Veeder, Brandlin Estate. Boathouse tastings are available by appointment every day at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Arrival and Exploring the Vineyards

I was excited to explore all of this with my in-laws. So, on a Saturday, we drove up to Cuvaison Winery in Napa Valley’s famed Los Carneros region to experience their new Boathouse Experience. Upon arrival, we were greeted with a refreshing Sauvignon Blanc “En Cigare”—a perfect palate cleanser after the drive. It was a hot day, and that crisp wine was just what we needed. We were seated on the lovely tasting room terrace overlooking Cuvaison’s 400-acre Tai Vineyard, with its 125 acres of picturesque grapevines, and took a moment to soak in the view. Shortly after, our host Bryan came along and gave us a brief introduction to the estate. Then, we hopped onto a golf cart and began our tour of the vineyard. Our first stop was next to the Syrah and Pinot Noir vines, where we tasted two different grape varieties and learned about the distinct differences between them. As we drove further up the hill, we were treated to breathtaking views—even catching a glimpse of the San Francisco skyline on the far horizon.

Barrel Tasting

After our vineyard tour, we visited the barrel room, where Bryan walked us through the different barrel styles used in winemaking, such as the “En Cigare” barrel that resembles the look of a cigar and is used for the Sauvignon Blanc we had at the beginning. We also enjoyed a glass of their Chardonnay “Méthode Béton,” which was crisp and refreshing thanks to its special fermentation process—not as buttery or oaky as you might expect from Carneros and the region. From the barrel room, we made our way to the Boathouse.

The Boathouse Pavilions

Renowned architect Douglas Thornley designed the Boathouse Pavilion at Cuvaison, which was the completion of a two-phase project. The first phase included the Vineyard Patio, the Tasting Salon with a sliding glass wall, and the Winemaker’s Lounge. In the second phase, Cuvaison built two stylish boathouse pavilions extending out over the water, providing serene views of the lower vineyard and the pond. Cuvaison’s President and CEO, Daniel Zepponi, emphasized the unique waterside experience the boathouses offer, likening the design to the feeling of walking down a dock to a boat slip and leaving worries and stress behind as one reaches the water. I couldn’t agree more – read below about our experience at the boathouse.

The Food & Wine Pairing Experience

As described, the boathouses are located right by a pond, featuring private decks, a kitchen, restrooms, and more. It’s a completely private tasting experience with a dedicated chef where you and your family or friends can relax in the beautiful setting, surrounded by calm waters and warm light. Our host Bryan guided us through the afternoon and served four more delicious wines that were perfectly paired with food.

The wine and food pairing experience kicked off with a 2018 Blanc de Blancs, Méthode Champenoise, Estate Grown, a sparkling wine from Napa Valley, accompanied by fried olives that provided a savory contrast to the wine’s bright acidity. This was followed by the 2017 Merlot Arcilla, Estate Grown, a velvety Merlot with rich, dark fruit flavors, paired excellently with a puff pastry filled with Gruyère, sage, and prosciutto. This pairing accentuated the wine’s subtle spice and earthiness.

Then came the 2022 Pinot Noir 90.1, Estate Grown, boasting balanced acidity and red berry notes, paired with a flavorful pork tostada. The wine elevated the savory and slightly peppery flavors of the tostada. Finally, we savored the Brandlin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, ThS, paired with an Espresso Panna Cotta. The robust, rich flavors of the Cabernet perfectly complemented the creamy panna cotta, providing a gratifying end to our meal.

VERENA’S VERDICT

Our visit to Cuvaison Winery’s Boathouse Experience was absolutely amazing! The private vineyard tour was fantastic, the estate was incredibly beautiful and well-kept, and we had a great time learning about the winery while sipping on delicious wine. The private food and wine pairing by the pond was an unforgettable experience in tranquility. Our host Bryan was super informative and made the whole experience even better with his knowledge about the wines and viticulture.

Occasion: The Boathouse Experience at Cuvaison is far from an ordinary wine tasting—it’s a special occasion for those seeking a private, high-end experience. Whether you’re marking a personal milestone or simply looking to treat yourself, this is where you go for something truly extraordinary.

Who should I take: This intimate and exclusive setting is ideal for a memorable day with your loved ones and those who also care for wine and viticulture. Whether you’re bringing your parents for a special visit or wanting to impress your boss, the Boathouse Experience creates the perfect atmosphere for making lasting memories.

Cuvaison, 1221 Duhig Rd, Napa, CA 94559

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