Summers Estate Wines

Summers Estate Wines is one of the quirkiest and most charming small wineries in Calistoga, a family estate known for producing Charbono, a nearly extinct grape variety that only a handful of California wineries still cultivate. Founded in 1996 by Jim and Beth Summers on 27 acres of vineyard in Calistoga, the estate embraced Charbono as its signature variety at a time when most producers were ripping out the old vines in favor of more marketable Cabernet Sauvignon. The Summers' decision to champion this obscure variety has given the winery a distinctive identity in a valley crowded with Cabernet producers.

The estate covers 27 acres of Calistoga vineyard land, planted to Charbono, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Zinfandel. The warm Calistoga climate is ideal for these bold, full-bodied red varieties, with the long growing season allowing the grapes to develop deep color and rich, concentrated flavors. The Charbono vines, among the oldest in the valley, produce small quantities of intensely flavored fruit that makes a wine unlike anything else in Napa. The estate also includes a small block of Muscat Canelli for a sweet dessert wine.

Winemaker Ignacio Blancas works with these distinctive varieties to produce a portfolio that stands apart from the Cabernet-dominated offerings of most neighboring estates. The Charbono is the star, a dark, tannic, full-bodied wine with flavors of blackberry and dark chocolate that many visitors have never tasted before. The Cabernet and Petite Sirah are bold and generous, reflecting the warm Calistoga terroir. The pricing across the portfolio is notably fair, with most wines available for under $40.

The tasting room on Tubbs Lane is small, friendly, and unpretentious, a place where the owner might be the one pouring your wine. The atmosphere is casual and conversational, with the staff eager to introduce visitors to Charbono and explain why this obscure variety matters. The outdoor patio, shaded by olive trees, is a pleasant spot for lingering on a warm Calistoga afternoon. At $35, the tasting is among the most affordable in the valley.

Summers matters because it preserves a piece of Napa Valley's viticultural heritage that would otherwise disappear. Charbono was once widely planted in California, but decades of replanting have reduced it to a few dozen acres. By championing the variety and building a loyal following around it, the Summers family has ensured that at least one corner of Napa Valley will continue to tell the story of the grapes that time forgot.