INTRODUCTION
For over 35 years there has
been a select group of winemakers in the Napa Valley who have been
pioneering the craft of fine winemaking. One of the founding members of
this lineage established pristine vineyards in Oakville, and focused on
the meticulous principles of small-lot winemaking and his unwavering
pursuit to capture the supreme expression of the land. Franciscan Estate
was established in 1973 and began producing wines of true character from
our Oakville estate in 1975. At Franciscan Estate, we only use grapes of
the highest quality worthy to bear the Franciscan Estate crest. We
strive to create wines of the highest character and excellence in every
vintage. This is what devotion to wines of true character is all about.
It is in every bottle and embodied in our crest that has been a sign of
excellence on our wines for over 20 years.
WINERY
Our home
estate is located in Oakville, right in the heart of the Napa Valley.
Our 240-acre parcel of prized land features loamy, gravely,
well-draining soil which adds great structure to our wines. Our location
in the center of the Napa Valley allows our Bordeaux varietals to enjoy
the cooling marine influences while still receiving plenty of sun and
heat. When you combine our location with dry-farming techniques, the
vines produce smaller, concentrated fruit, which builds wine of good
structure, body, and texture. This optimal blend gives our fruit the
ability to maintain its vibrancy and ripen to its full potential.
With this unique balance of terroir and climate we knew Oakville was the
ideal place to start our legacy; this was confirmed in 1975 when the
very first vintage of our Napa Valley Cabernet was released. The results
spoke for themselves – this was a distinctive wine of character and
place. It was the first vintage to be released that included fruit from
the Oakville estate. This was prior to our esteemed neighbors Opus One,
Swanson, Silver Oak, and Groth. Oakville had officially landed on the
map as a powerhouse district for Napa Valley Reds and Franciscan Estate
had helped blaze the trail to make it happen.
WINES
Devotion to
the old world crafts is artfully blended with new world vision and
modern finesse to create wines of refreshing character and bold
expression. Each of our handcrafted wines has distinct personality that
speaks fluently in every glass. When all are savored the complete
character and expression of our prized Napa Valley terroir can be
experienced.
MAGNIFICAT RED WINE
Elegant, well-structured mouthfeel, with cherries, cassis, black pepper
and vibrant plum flavors filling the palate. Very supple, with fine
texture and firm structure, giving an approachable richness. The finish
is a seamless continuation of fruit and cocoa-like tannins.
CUVÉE SAUVAGE CHARDONNAY
Luscious and full, with rich flavors of apple tart and toasted hazelnut,
along with bright notes of lemon and pear. The texture is round and
creamy with generous body, while maintaining a crisp elegance and
vibrancy. Complex minerality highlights a lingering finish.
NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Rich, round, and full-bodied; layered with blackberry, cherry, dried
plums, and a hint of cocoa; generous weight on the palate and smooth,
mouth-filling tannins; the finish lingers with flavors of rich cassis
and black cherry.
NAPA VALLEY CHARDONNAY
Bright, with pear-apple notes, citrus, and honey. Silky and round
mouthfeel, with rich crème brûlée highlights and a finish of mineral and
cream that lingers on the palate.
NAPA VALLEY MERLOT
Supple, elegant and seamless. Full flavors of dark berries, cocoa and
vanilla with rich notes of earthy clove and spice. The smooth mouthfeel
rounds out to a long finish.
NAPA VALLEY SAUVIGNON BLANC
Clean, crisp, and refreshing, with complex layers of Meyer lemon, lime
zest, and honeydew. Lively on the palate, the bright fruit is rounded by
a generous body and mouthfeel. Bright citrus and mineral notes linger on
the long, smooth finish.
EQUILIBRIUM
Honeydew, lychee, and tropical aromas intertwined with orange blossoms
and citrus. Vibrant, ripe flavors of mangos, white peaches, and lime
fill the palate with a long finish of jasmine and hints of honey.
WINE TOURISM
Our beautiful cascading
fountain stands proudly at the entrance to our visitor center welcoming
all to our tasting room. Join us for a tasting, tour, or wine seminar
from our welcoming staff that is eager to give you the full Franciscan
Estate experience.
We offer a variety of tasting flights, tours, educational seminars and
private tastings daily. Reservations are not required for tastings at
our bar or on our shaded courtyard patio for groups less than 10. All
other visits can be scheduled by clicking on the link below. Special
pricing is available for groups of 10 or more.
The Franciscan Estate is located at 1178 Galleron Road at Highway 29 in
St. Helena, CA. The visitor center is open daily from 10am until 5pm
(closed on major holidays). Larger groups please call 707.967.3993 or
email to plan your visit.
Our guides are committed to providing guests with a unique and memorable
wine country experience in a friendly environment. Whether it’s your
first time wine tasting or you’re a seasoned collector, you will find
something new to explore at Franciscan Estate.
Tasting descriptions
We have a variety of tastings to offer, from our current releases to
small production winery exclusives, you are sure to have a great
experience that will suite your palate.
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