My Experience at Trinchero Napa Valley’s Wine Launch Event
In the heart of the oh-so-beautiful Napa Valley, I had the delightful opportunity to attend Trinchero Napa Valley’s wine launch event. Nurtured by a family legacy that spans 75 years, the Trinchero family’s winery has evolved into the country’s second-largest family-owned winery. They have recently unveiled six incredible new wines, continuing their tradition of winemaking innovation, and I was invited to taste them and experience the hospitality of their award-winning vineyard.
From meeting Trinchero’s winemaker Landon Donley and tasting their brand new wines, to creating our very own custom hats with the Hattery, and learning how to make mozzarella cheese, the evening was so memorable and fun.
Let’s Talk About the History of Trinchero Napa Valley
The story of Trinchero Napa Valley starts in the late 1940s, with Italian immigrants Mario and Mary Trinchero daring to envision a different life on the verdant vineyards of the Napa Valley. From being among the region’s 15 pioneering wineries, the family’s dedication has blossomed into a robust vineyard that currently stands as an iconic embodiment of the American dream.
These six new wines, each meticulously crafted under the expert leadership of Chief Winemaker Landon Donley, represent more than just the family’s history. They encompass the entire journey from Mario and Mary Trinchero’s humble origins to the monumental achievement of Trinchero Napa Valley today.
Let’s Talk About Trinchero Napa Valley’s 6 New Wine Varietals
Trinchero Napa Valley’s 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon: Tale of Brothers
The Tale of Brothers Cabernet Sauvignon is a tribute to the inventive vintners, Bob and Roger Trinchero. It reflects their journey from humble beginnings to an esteemed wine brand. It’s a blend that mirrors the Trinchero family’s unity, with grapes from Haystack Vineyard on Atlas Peak and Clouds Nest Vineyard on Mount Veeder. Their variances enhance the wine’s complex profile.
The winemaking mirrors Bob & Roger’s distinct characteristics. Haystack’s more assertive yield undergoes prolonged maceration and warmer fermentation for robust tannins and rich flavors. Clouds Nest’s yield, symbolizing Bob’s more calculated method, emphasizes inherent freshness and elegance.
The final blend contains 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec, 2% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, displaying exquisite balance. The Tale of Brothers, with 14.5% alcohol content and a pH of 3.87, released on January 1, 2024 (all of the wines were released on January 1st) in just 500 cases (every single wine in this collection are being released in 500 cases each), promises a unique story in each bottle, encapsulating two brothers’ passion for winemaking excellence.
Trinchero Napa Valley’s Red Wine: Traces of Manhattan
Traces of Manhattan, a remarkable blend crafted by winemaker Landon Donley, combines Manhattan’s vibrant energy with Napa Valley’s winemaking tradition. This dynamic wine rotates its Bordeaux varietals each year, showcasing unique vineyard and vintage characteristics while echoing Manhattan’s allure. The grapes are meticulously chosen from esteemed mountain terroirs—Haystack, Clouds Nest, and Howell Mountain—favoring the boldness of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, subtly modulated by Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc.
Donley’s method underscores precision and early blending, resulting in a seamless integration of textural elements. After roughly 16 months in oak and an extended bottle maturation, the wine delivers a smooth texture appealing to both connoisseurs and casual drinkers.
The 2024 vintage, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with a generous portion of Malbec and hints of Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc, was one of my favorites. Aged in a mix of new and seasoned medium-plus toast French oak, and with an alcohol content of 14.5% and a pH of 3.89, this blend captures the fascinating interplay between an exhilarating city and a distinguished winemaking heritage.
Trinchero Napa Valley’s Cabernet Sauvignon: Central Park West
Central Park West Cabernet Sauvignon pays homage to the Trinchero family’s roots in Manhattan, evoking Mario Trinchero’s walks through Central Park to the Waldorf Astoria. This wine, cultivated in the heart of Napa Valley, in St. Helena’s Central Park West vineyard, offers a sophisticated blend loaded with black and blue fruit aromas, a refined texture, and silky tannins.
Legendary winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff lead cultivation in this vineyard, favoring the sun-soaked St. Helena terrain, ideal for red Bordeaux varietals. The 34-year-old vines yield small, potent clusters that result in silky, low-yield harvests.
The cabernet undergoes warm fermentation and extended skin contact, rounded out with Malbec and Merlot for added lushness. A 20-month barrel regime, with 77% new French oak, emphasizes the vibrant fruit flavors.
The 2021 vintage, composed of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec, and 3% Merlot, carries an alcohol content of 14.5% and a pH of 3.91. Central Park West is a bottle of legacy, echoing its rich origins with every sip.
Trinchero Napa Valley’s Chardonnay: Sisters-in-Law
The Sisters-in-Law Chardonnay honors Vera Trinchero-Torres and Evalyn Trinchero, blending Evalyn’s understated elegance with Vera’s lively wit. Sourced from Vista Montone vineyard in south Napa, this wine embodies their differing styles: Clone 76 from the cool, shaded Block 11C provides complexity akin to Evalyn’s sophistication, while the sunny Block 8C’s fruit embodies Vera’s vibrancy.
Each vineyard block’s grapes are processed uniquely—11C’s in new French and Austrian oak to enhance full-bodied aromas, tempered with a hint of malolactic fermentation; 8C’s in used oak and concrete to maintain its fruity zest.
This exclusive, single-varietal Chardonnay, aged for 10 months in a mix of oak and seasoned tanks, strikes a balance between depth and liveliness. At 13.5% alcohol and a pH of 3.60, a vinous representation of family unity and distinct personalities combined.
Trinchero Napa Valley’s Cabernet Sauvignon: All the Hats, Mario’s
All the Hats Mario’s Cabernet Sauvignon celebrates the Trinchero family’s industrious legacy, mirroring Mary and Mario’s dedication to winemaking and family life. This versatile wine is meant to enhance gatherings with its accessible charm that promotes family togetherness. Keep this in mind for the next holiday get-together with the family!
Sourced from the family’s Mario’s Vineyard in St. Helena, this 13-acre site is defined by diverse soils and a favorable northwest exposure, contributing to a classic, medium-bodied Cabernet with a focus on red fruit flavors accompanied by floral and savory notes.
The winemaking process includes a cool fermentation to preserve the wine’s red fruit and floral character, followed by aging in a balanced mix of used and new medium-toast French oak to finesse its flavor, complemented by a touch of robust Cabernet Franc from Howell Mountain.
This varietal mix comprises 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 2% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot, matured for 20 months in 42% new French oak barrels. It boasts a 14.5% alcohol content and a pH of 3.82, revealing a well-rounded profile. Each glass of All the Hats is a tribute to the Trinchero family’s multifaceted journey through wine.
Trinchero Napa Valley’s Cabernet Sauvignon: All the Hats, Mary’s
The All The Hats Sauvignon Blanc Mary’s is a product of meticulous winemaking that reflects Mary Trinchero’s tenacity. It’s sourced from Mary’s Vineyard in Calistoga, home to two Sauvignon Blanc clones—structural Clone 1 and aromatic Musqué—creating a complex blend from the oldest organically-certified Sauvignon Blanc vines in Napa.
Harvested at night, the grapes undergo a slow, whole-cluster press. Each clone is then barrel-fermented and aged on lees for ten months—Clone 1 in used French and new Austrian oak, Musqué in stainless steel—to preserve their character.
This 100% Sauvignon Blanc comprises of 81% Clone 1 and 19% Musqué, aged for ten months in different types of oak and stainless steel. With its 13.5% alcohol and 3.20 pH indicate balance, this wine, again, captures the Trinchero family’s devotion and skill in winemaking.
Painted in Golden Hues: The Event Itself
Meeting Landon Donley, the Chief Winemaker of Trinchero Napa Valley
The wine tasting was led by no other than Landon Donley. As he was explaining the dedication and the history behind each wine, you can see that he’s very passionate about winemaking. He generously shared insights into his creative process and the inspiration behind the new portfolio. Tasting the new releases was a revelation in itself. Each sip was like a melodic symphony, telling the stories imbued in these carefully tended vines.
Creating Custom Hats
A local milliner was also at the event, guiding us to create our custom hats—a charming tribute to the new All the Hats Sauvignon Blanc & Cabernet Sauvignon. Watching hats of different colors and styles take shape added a unique personal touch to the event, reminding us of the bespoke nature of Trinchero’s winemaking approach.
Mozzarella 101
Our journey to this gorgeous vineyard was completed with a demonstration of fresh mozzarella making—an authentic touch echoing the Trinchero family’s Italian heritage.
The creamy, rich cheese paired perfectly with the robust flavors of the wines. It was truly the best mozzarella I’ve ever had, and it’s now inspired me to create my own instead of picking it up at the store!
A Heart-Warming Farewell
Before I close out on my event recap, I wanted to express my gratitude to the Trinchero family and their teams for throwing such a thoughtful and intimate event. It was very apparent to see how much thought and love was put into every single bottle. I appreciated the backstories behind all the bottles, making each sip extra special. These wines are absolutely delicious, and the history behind it all just makes it even better.
Their unwavering dedication to the art of winemaking was on full display at this event—a beautiful blend of the past, the present, and an optimistic toast to the future. Their latest collection of wines, available on their website, is a testament to their experimenting spirit and commitment to preserving their rich legacy while always reaching for new horizons.
To all the wine enthusiasts out there, keep an eye on this valiant vineyard as it continues to write its grand narrative in the world of wine, one vintage at a time!
