It was bought by gil and beth nickel in 1979 and has since built a reputation for highend chardonnay and. Far niente estate bottled cabernet sauvignon gifttree. Book your tickets online for far niente winery, oakville. Beautiful purity of expression characterizes this medium to fullbodied, co. See who you know at far niente llc, leverage your professional network, and get hired.
The winery and vineyards around it lay dormant until nickel, who was very. We will ship the wine to each persons doorstep and coordinate a time that works for your group. Layered palate of fig and citrus fruit with impressive length and a mouthwatering finish. Founded in oakville, california in 1885 and restored in 1979, far niente is consistently recognized as a benchmark producer of napa valley chardonnay and napa valley cabernet sauvignon. Bella union specializes in the art of blending napa valley cabernet sauvignon. The winery flourished until prohibition, at which time it was abandoned and fell into complete disrepair. Drinking distilled spirits, beer, coolers, wine and other alcoholic beverages may increase cancer risk, and, during pregnancy, can cause birth defects. A binder containing the napa county historical society created indexes for the images of america books produced by arcadia press. They are now listed on the national register of historic places. He was the owner of the historic far niente winery in the napa valley. Far niente cabernet sauvignon 20 from oakville, napa valley, california far niente cabernet sauvignon opens with aromas of mixed berry fruit, boysenberry, chocolate covered cherries, layered with hints of graphite and toasted oak. Prior to producing far niente wines, gil made a homewine called nob hill. Think literary reading series in addition, kara is the author of three cocktail books, shake.
As an undergraduate at the university of california, davis, nicole marchesi began studying towards a major in biology. Discover far niente, a winery in oakville, united states and explore their most popular wines. Far niente winery estate chardonnay, napa valley prices. Shortly thereafter, in 1979, he purchased the far niente winery, then a dilapidated ruin, and went to work reestablishing it.
A dedication to winemaking in its highest form, paired with a focus on house style, vineyard ownership and social responsibility, has established far niente as one of the. Far niente was founded by nursery tycoon gil nickel and his wife beth in 1979. Our newest releases satisfy even the most discerning palates with our latest releases. A fortyniner during the gold rush in 1885, john benson established far niente winery. We, the italians, live to celebrate with good wine and a plate of pasta, no matter whether it is a normal everyday lunch or the most important holiday in the country. Monday through friday, but you must have an appointment. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Far niente history far niente winery was founded in 1885 by john benson, a fortyniner of the california gold rush and uncle of the famous american impressionist painter, winslow homer.
Founded in oakville, california in 1885 and restored in 1979, far niente is consistently recognized as. Benson hired architect hamden mcintyre, creator of the former christian brothers winerynow the culinary institute of america at greystoneto design the building. It was founded in 1885 by john benson, but abandoned. Far niente, one of the earliest stone wineries, derives its name from the italian phrase dolce far niente how sweet it is to do nothing, was founded in 1885 by john benson and flourished u. Bella union is the natural next step in our evolution as cabernet winemakers. Having been founded in 1885, far niente was abandoned for 60 years after prohibition.
Discover what we have on far niente in our research library, and learn more about oakville. Far niente winery is a winery based in oakville, california, and is part of the oakville ava appellation. Visiting far niente is like stepping into a dream world crafted for fairies and fae. Claim this business 707 9440765 favorite more directions sponsored topics. Incidentally john was an uncle of the famous american impressionist painter, winslow homer. A binder containing the napa county historical society created indexes for the images of america books produced by. Far niente wine estate receives strategic investment from gi. In 1982, the far niente winery completed the first of these new age wine caves in the napa valley ava. Each of these distinguished wine collections are brand new, handsomely packaged and will please even the most discerning palates. Theyre winery exclusives and theyre only available from us.
They specialize in burgundian stye chardonnay, cabernet. In 2010, jeremy nickel filed a lawsuit against the longtime far niente business partners who took over after gils death, according to the st. One of californias oldest wineries, far niente was founded in 1885 by world traveler and entrepreneur, john benson. He did a remarkable job, and the evidence can be viewed by any and all who visit the establishment today. Far niente wine estates sale finalized the press democrat. Far niente winery vineyard producer of napa valley cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay founded in 1885 linktr. Dolce far niente the meaning of the italian concept. Near the small town of oakville, far niente is open to the public from 8 a. A dedication to winemaking in its highest form, paired with a focus on house style, vineyard ownership and social responsibility, has established far niente as. Aromas of melon, hazelnut, orange, and spice are complimented with toasty shadings. The noble experiment that was prohibition, the result of the 18th amendment to the constitution of the united states of america, lasted from 1919 to 1933 and did irreparable damage on multiple fronts.
Far niente winery oakville, ca 94562 visit napa valley. Far niente wine estate receives strategic investment from. History buffs will especially enjoy paying a visit to far niente winery. Benson hired architect hamden mcintyre, creator of the former christian brothers winery now the culinary institute of america at greystone to design the building. A first timers guide to napa valley napa valley itinerary. Roasted duck breast with agrodolce and our flagship enroute russian river valley pinot noir, les pommiers. Far niente winery was established in 1885 by john benson, a fortyniner of the california gold rush and uncle of the famous american impressionist painter, winslow homer. The cave was only 60 ft 18 m long and was used exclusively to age the wine and to store empty barrels.
The original winery on this location was established in 1885 but, like so many other california wineries, it closed during prohibition. Far niente was established in oakville, ca in 1885 and prospered until the onset of prohibition in 1919, when it was abandoned for 60 years. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. For an intimate look at the winery, book the 90minute estate tasting. Far niente wine estates receives strategic investment from. Charles krug is napa valleys oldest winery, established in 1861 because of periods of inactivity, it cedes the continuously operating distinction to beringer. Dolce far niente is a way of thinking always fixed to the moment, in which we can finally do nothing and enjoy it. Helena star, accusing them of giving themselves annual bonuses and other benefits without shareholder approval. At the time, the historical winery building was covered in ivy and the property. Kara newman is a spirits and cocktail writer based in new york. Far niente winery inc oakville, ca wineries mapquest. Walkthrough the historic far niente winery, the wine caves and gardens, followed by a tasting of current and library vintages. Far niente napa, california wineryvineyard facebook. In 1885 john benson established his far niente winery in west oakville, planting the vineyard to muscat of alexandria.
Far niente winery, located in the foothills of the mayacamas mountains near oakville, was founded by the late gil nickel in 1979. The napa valley standard in ultrapremium cabernets, the 20 far niente is simply superb. These napa wineries pour old vintages just for you september 12, 2017. She was also the recipient of the 2014 far niente winery fellowship at the symposium for professional wine writers at meadowood. The winery was built in 1845 by john benson, shut down in 1919 due to prohibition and then purchased and restored by gil nickel in 1979 so theres some amazing history at the estate.
Far niente family feud ends with winery sale winesearcher. During this complimentary experience, one of our talented wine educators will walk you through a personally curated selection of. Napa, ca a blend of superlative estate vineyards, 100% barrel fermented and aged in french oak. She is the spirits editor for wine enthusiast and her writing appears in publications including the wall street journal, tasting table, saveur, arrive, and bloomberg pursuits.
But after being assigned to write an article about the department of viticulture and enology for the school newspaper, the aggie, her interest was sparked in pursuing a career in wine. Far niente wineryvineyard producer of napa valley cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay founded in 1885 linktr. As we slowly transition into spring, we invite you to warm up the last nights of winter with one of our favorite russian river wine and food pairings. In 1979, gil and beth nickel purchased the winery and adjacent vineyard, restored the building to historical standards and crushed the first far niente cabernet sauvignon at the winery in 1982, along with. Jul 10, 20 one of the most beautiful estates in the napa valley, far niente winery was founded in oakville, california in 1885 and restored in 1979. Apr 08, 2020 but there are five wineries under the far niente umbrella, in napa and sonoma, and the companys individualized tasting can be tailormade for customers of each one or can combine wines from. Far niente is gorgeous winery with intimate tours away from the crowds. The stately stone shell of a winery was purchased in 1979 by gil nickel, as part of his quest to create a world class wine. A bottle of 1886 far niente sweet muscat found in a private cellar in 1998 bears a label attributed to famed american impressionist painter winslow homer, nephew of john benson, the 19th century founder of far niente.
Steven spadarotto talks about the napa valleybased vintners challenges in raising wine bottle prices amid rising grape and vineyard prices. The four indexes contained in this binder are for the napa river, napa valley wine country, st. White, information about the wine list at press, a history of napa valley, appellation guide, winery profiles with tasting notes, newcomers, outsiders, and those that are no longer with us, a vintage guide 1940 2014, maps, references, and winery contact information. Aged and rare cabernets from the far niente wine library are served. Gil nickel 1939 october 30, 2003 was an american vintner. Founded in oakville, california in 1885 and restored in 1979, far niente is consistently recognized as a benchmark producer of napa valley chardonnay and. Guests participating in the main tour and tasting learn some of this history while strolling the winery and its aging caves. Duckhorn owner buys napas far niente the drinks business. The problem with far niente is that, if you start your napa valley visit here, every place else will seem like a letdown. May 18, 2016 far niente was founded by nursery tycoon gil nickel and his wife beth in 1979.
It was founded in 1885 by john benson, but abandoned during prohibition in 1919. A decade later, in the 1980s, he purchased the historic far niente winery in oakville, and restored the caves. Far niente winery was founded in 1885 by john benson, a fortyniner of the california gold rush and uncle of the famous. A favorite russian river wine and food pairing on february 27, 2018. A dedication to winemaking in its highest form, paired with a focus on house style, vineyard ownership and social responsibility, has established far niente as one of the worlds great wine estates. One of the most beautiful estates in the napa valley, far niente winery was founded in oakville, california in 1885 and restored in 1979.