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Altamura Vineyards & Winery Summary

1700 Wooden Valley Rd
Napa ,CA 94558
United States
altamura.com

Altamura Vineyards & Winery Description

Altamura Vineyards & Winery is a renowned family-owned winery situated in Napa Valley, California. Nestled in a picturesque setting, this winery is celebrated for its commitment to sustainable farming practices and handcrafted, boutique-style wines. Founded by Frank and Karen Altamura, their passion for winemaking is palpable in every bottle that bears their name.

What sets Altamura Vineyards & Winery apart is their dedication to crafting wines solely from their estate-grown grapes. The family owns a 400-acre ranch, the majority of which is dedicated to vineyards, ensuring complete control over the quality and integrity of their grapes. This attention to detail is reflected in their exceptional wines, which showcase the unique terroir of their Napa Valley vineyards.

Altamura Vineyards & Winery specializes in Cabernet Sauvignon, their flagship varietal, known for its rich flavors, intense aromas, and velvety textures. Every step of the winemaking process, from vineyard management to hand-harvesting and meticulous cellar practices, is carried out with the utmost care and respect for the grapes.

Visiting Altamura Vineyards & Winery is an immersive experience, where visitors can explore the stunning vineyards and enjoy a guided tour of the winemaking facilities. The family's warm hospitality and deep knowledge of the wine industry create an unforgettable visit, allowing guests to understand the passion and dedication that goes into every bottle.

Whether you are a wine enthusiast or a casual visitor, Altamura Vineyards & Winery offers an authentic taste of Napa Valley and the opportunity to savor their exceptional, limited-production wines. Each sip tells a story of family tradition, meticulous craftsmanship, and the unparalleled beauty of California winemaking.

What Makes Altamura Vineyards & Winery Different From Other Nearby Wineries?

Altamura Vineyards & Winery stands out from other wineries in the region due to its exceptional winemaking philosophy, dedication to quality, and unique vineyard characteristics. Nestled in the picturesque Napa Valley, Altamura Vineyards & Winery has cultivated a stellar reputation that sets it apart.

One of the key factors that make Altamura Vineyards & Winery stand out is their commitment to producing world-class wines. Since its establishment in 1985, this family-owned winery has consistently focused on crafting limited-production, handcrafted wines that showcase the distinct terroir of their estate vineyards. This meticulous attention to detail throughout the winemaking process is rare and ensures that every bottle of Altamura wine is a true representation of their exceptional standards.

What truly sets Altamura Vineyards & Winery apart is their emphasis on estate-grown grapes. Unlike many wineries that source grapes from various vineyards, Altamura is renowned for solely using grapes cultivated from their own estate vineyards. This dedication to estate-grown fruit enables them to have complete control over the entire winemaking process, resulting in wines that truly reflect the unique characteristics of their vineyards. By nurturing their vineyards with unwavering commitment, Altamura Vineyards & Winery has succeeded in crafting wines that consistently express the region's terroir and reflect the individuality of each vintage.

Moreover, what makes Altamura Vineyards & Winery undeniably different is their vineyards' location and exceptional soil composition. Situated in the coveted eastern foothills of Napa Valley, their vineyards benefit from a combination of factors that impart distinctive qualities to their wines. The rich volcanic soils of the area, a result of ancient volcanic activity, lend the wines a remarkable depth and complexity not often found in other regions. Furthermore, the vineyards' optimal placement, with varying sun exposures and cool evening breezes, ensures that the grapes ripen slowly and evenly, resulting in well-balanced, flavorful wines with impressive aging potential.

In addition, Altamura Vineyards & Winery embraces sustainable farming practices, which further differentiates them from their counterparts. The winery incorporates organic and environmentally friendly methods, with a focus on minimally invasive techniques that support the long-term health of their vineyards and the surrounding ecosystem. Their commitment to sustainability underscores their dedication to preserving the land and delivering wines of exceptional quality and integrity.

Altamura Vineyards & Winery's dedication to crafting superior wines, using solely estate-grown grapes from their exceptional vineyards, and their commitment to sustainability truly sets them apart from other wineries in the region. With each bottle, they offer an authentic taste of the Napa Valley terroir and an experience that speaks to the heart of California winemaking excellence.

What Some Possible Concerns About Altamura Vineyards & Winery ?

While it's important to showcase the positive aspects of a winery, it's also crucial to provide a balanced view. Although Altamura Vineyards & Winery generally receives positive reviews, there are a few recurring criticisms or areas of improvement mentioned by some visitors. These include:

1. Limited wine selection: Some visitors have mentioned that Altamura Vineyards & Winery has a relatively small wine selection compared to other wineries in the region. This can be disappointing for those looking for a wider variety of wines to taste.

2. High wine prices: Several customers have expressed that the wines at Altamura Vineyards & Winery tend to be on the higher end in terms of pricing. While quality often comes at a price, some visitors may find it difficult to justify the cost, particularly when compared to other wineries.

3. Reservation-only tastings: Altamura Vineyards & Winery operates on a reservation-only basis, which can be inconvenient for spontaneous visitors or those who prefer more flexibility in their wine tasting plans. This stringent reservation policy might deter some potential guests.

4. Limited tour options: Some patrons have mentioned that Altamura Vineyards & Winery offers limited tour options. While the winery provides guided tours, some visitors have expressed their desire for more extensive and immersive experiences, such as behind-the-scenes tours or vineyard walks.

5. Crowded tasting room: During peak visiting times, Altamura Vineyards & Winery can be quite crowded. This can lead to delays in service and a less intimate tasting experience for some individuals seeking a more personalized or relaxed atmosphere.

It's important to note that these points reflect a subset of opinions and may not be representative of everyone's experiences at Altamura Vineyards & Winery.

Altamura Vineyards & Winery History

Altamura Vineyards & Winery is an esteemed family-owned winery nestled in the picturesque Napa Valley, California. Founded by Frank and Karen Altamura, the winery boasts a rich and captivating history that spans several generations and encapsulates the essence of California winemaking.

The Altamura family's connection to winemaking dates back to their ancestors in Italy, where winemaking was a cherished tradition. Frank Altamura, born and raised in California, inherited the passion for winemaking from his family and dreamed of making world-class wines in the Napa Valley. With this vision, he purchased a 400-acre property in 1985, which became the foundation of Altamura Vineyards & Winery.

However, the winery's story truly begins in the early 1980s when Frank Altamura met winemaking icon, Tony Soter. Inspired by Soter's approach to crafting wines that reflected their unique terroir, Frank sought guidance and mentorship from him. Soter agreed to consult for the newly established vineyard, igniting a partnership that would shape the identity of Altamura wines.

The winery's journey faced various challenges early on, including the task of planting vineyards on the rocky slopes of Wooden Valley, located in the eastern foothills of the Napa Valley. Frank painstakingly cleared the land and planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, and Sauvignon Blanc vines, dedicated to producing wines of unparalleled quality.

In 1987, Altamura released its first vintage, capturing the attention of wine enthusiasts and critics alike. Despite being a relatively small operation, Altamura won numerous accolades, solidifying its reputation as a producer of exceptional wines. With a commitment to estate-grown fruit and an unwavering focus on quality, Altamura rapidly gained a loyal following and became renowned for its intense, richly flavored, and age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon.

The winery's success can also be attributed to its unique location in the Wooden Valley. Sheltered by the Vaca Mountain Range, the vineyards benefit from a truly distinct microclimate, characterized by warm days, cool nights, and a remarkable diurnal temperature shift. These conditions, combined with the rocky volcanic soils, lend incredible depth, complexity, and structure to the wines.

Altamura's dedication to crafting wines that express their terroir led to the latter half of the 1990s being a period of significant growth for the winery. In 1998, Altamura completed the construction of its state-of-the-art winery facility, incorporating modern winemaking techniques while maintaining a traditional approach to production. This advancement enabled the family to capture the true essence of their exceptional vineyards and elevate their wines to even greater heights.

As the winery matured, the Altamura family's commitment to quality and sustainability only strengthened. Today, Altamura Vineyards & Winery is still family-run, with Frank and Karen overseeing all aspects of the operations and their son, Frank Jr., as the winemaker. They continue to adhere to traditional winemaking practices, including hand-harvesting, minimal intervention, and extended aging in French oak barrels, ensuring that their wines embody the true expression of their vineyards.

Altamura's wines have become renowned for their remarkable depth, great balance, and elegance. In addition to their flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, the winery also produces other varietals such as Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, and a limited-production Nebbiolo, showcasing the family's unwavering dedication to quality while embracing the diversity of their vineyard.

With over three decades of winemaking excellence, Altamura Vineyards & Winery stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Altamura family in the Napa Valley. Their commitment to crafting exceptional wines that reflect the unique terroir of their vineyards has earned them a revered place among California's finest wineries and solidified their standing as true stewards of the land.