A family estate producing estate wines alongside an unusual Verdelho, the Portuguese white grape rarely seen in Napa. The property also includes olive groves producing estate olive oil.
Coquerel Family Wine Estates is a Calistoga property that extends the boundaries of Napa Valley winemaking by including Verdelho, the Portuguese white grape more commonly associated with Madeira and the wines of Australia, in a portfolio that also includes the expected Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. Founded in 2011, the estate occupies 40 acres of Calistoga vineyard where the warm climate is particularly well suited to the heat-loving Verdelho, producing a white wine of tropical richness and aromatic complexity that stands apart from the sea of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
The 40-acre vineyard sits on the warm Calistoga benchland, planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and the unusual Verdelho. The warm climate that makes Calistoga ideal for bold reds also suits Verdelho, which develops its best aromatics and richest flavors in warm growing conditions. The inclusion of a Portuguese variety in a Napa Valley portfolio is rare and reflects the estate's experimental spirit and its willingness to look beyond the standard California grape selection.
Winemaker Jeremy Nickel produces a portfolio that gives equal attention to the conventional and the unusual. The Cabernet is bold and Calistoga-warm, with the generous fruit and soft tannins that the appellation provides. The Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and refreshing. The Verdelho is the conversation piece: aromatic, richly textured, and unlike any other white wine produced in the valley. The variety's natural acidity keeps the wine fresh despite the warm-climate richness, creating a white wine of genuine originality.
Tastings are by appointment on the estate, where the diverse vineyard plantings are visible and the staff explain the Portuguese heritage of the Verdelho grape. The $60 fee includes the full portfolio, with the Verdelho providing the most memorable and unexpected pour.
Coquerel demonstrates that Napa Valley's winemaking potential includes varieties far beyond the standard California repertoire. The Verdelho planting is a small act of viticultural exploration, but it produces a wine that delights visitors precisely because they have never tasted anything like it. In a valley where Cabernet is king, the crown jewel at Coquerel is a Portuguese white grape.
Contact the winery for full details about this experience, including availability and any special requirements.
