Located at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains in the far Northwest corner of the Rutherford appellation, the Flora Springs estate is in the heart of the Napa Valley. Founded in 1978, Flora Springs has been a family affair for over three decades. As both artisan winemakers and growers, the family is committed to the traditions of fine winemaking and responsible stewardship of its 650 acres of vineyard land for future generations to savor and uphold. Today, ninety percent of Flora Springs’ red wines are sourced from its organically-framed estate vineyards, and all of these wines are crafted in our solar-powered 19th century stone winery and caves.
For over thirty years the Komes and Garvey families have worked side by side, resurrecting a once abandoned ghost winery, pioneering new farming practices and, in turn, helping Napa Valley lead an American wine revolution.
As innovators they have pushed the boundaries in both the cellar and the vineyards. They were the first to night harvest, lugging generators and floodlights through the fields at two o’clock in the morning in the name of better fruit. When they grew tired of putting themselves and their neighbors at risk with the use of harmful sprays in the vineyards, they were the ones who championed sustainable farming and organic practices. What some may describe as passion they explain as obsession, this is their life and they are family.
Today, third-generation vintners Nat Komes and Sean Garvey, both of whom grew up at the winery washing barrels and sweeping floors, are now poised to take the helm. In the spirit of tradition, innovation, and community values epitomized by their parents and grandparents,Flora and Jerry, the cousins look to guide the winery into a new era of artisanal winemaking.
Their wine is broken into four categories; Signature, Single Vineyard, Napa Valley and Winery only. The Signature wines consist of Trilogy, Sauvignon Blanc “Soliloquy Vineyard” and Barrel Fermented Chardonnay. Trilogy is a Bordeaux blend and is year in year out one of my favorite wines, the Barrel Fermented Chardonnay is also consistently good. The Single Vineyard wines consists of Rutherford Hillside Reserve, Rennie Reserve, Holy Smoke, Out of Sight , and Wild Boar. I have tried the Out of Sight and Holy Smoke before and both are excellent. The Napa Valley wines consist of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay and are all good value wines. The Winery only wines consist of Flora’s Legacy, Poggio Del Papa, Sangiovese, Rossata, Pinot Grigio and Port. I have tried the two Italian red varieties before and enjoyed both.
The tasting room is modern and spacious with a outside sitting area, is open daily. The winery staff is always friendly and knowledgeable. In my recent trip late last year (was also there three years ago) I sampled some eight wines, even a Cab from the late 1990’s which had aged well, Visiting Flora Springs is a must if wine tasting in Napa Valley. Flora Springs Winery & Vineyards, www.Florasprings.com, located on Hwy. 29 in St. Helena, California.