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Neal Family Vineyards Summary

716 Liparita Road
Angwin ,CA 94508
United States
(707) 965-2800
nealvineyards.com


Neal Family Vineyards Description

Neal Family Vineyards is a small family-owned winery located in the heart of the Napa Valley in California. Established in 1996 by Mark Neal and his family, this winery is dedicated to producing exceptional wines that truly reflect the unique characteristics of the region. With a commitment to sustainable practices, the Neal family focuses on nurturing their vineyard to create wines that showcase the terroir and express the distinct flavors of their grapes.

At Neal Family Vineyards, the quality of their wines is paramount. They specialize in limited-production, handcrafted wines that highlight the best of what the Napa Valley has to offer. Their vineyard is situated in the Howell Mountain AVA, known for its rugged and rocky terrain that yields grapes of exceptional quality. From Cabernet Sauvignon to Syrah and Chardonnay, each varietal is carefully cultivated to ensure optimal ripeness and flavor development.

One of the unique aspects of Neal Family Vineyards is their dedication to sustainable farming practices. They employ organic viticulture, using cover crops to promote biodiversity and enrich the soil. Additionally, they integrate natural pest management methods and minimal irrigation techniques to protect the ecosystem. These sustainable practices not only contribute to the exceptional quality of their wines but also preserve the environment for future generations.

Visiting Neal Family Vineyards is a delightful experience for wine enthusiasts. The charming tasting room, nestled amidst the vineyard, offers breathtaking views of the Napa Valley and provides a warm and inviting atmosphere for guests. Whether enjoying a tasting flight inside or savoring the views on the outdoor patio, visitors can indulge in the handcrafted wines produced by this passionate family.

The Neal family's commitment to producing limited-production, artisanal wines combined with their sustainable practices and stunning location makes Neal Family Vineyards a must-visit winery for anyone seeking an authentic Napa Valley experience.

What Makes Neal Family Vineyards Different From Other Nearby Wineries?

Neal Family Vineyards is a unique winery that stands out from the crowd of California wineries in several captivating ways. First and foremost, what sets Neal Family Vineyards apart is its incredible legacy and family history that spans over four decades. Founded in 1964 by Jack and Athene Neal, the winery has been a family-operated and family-owned establishment since its inception.

One of the notable distinguishing features of Neal Family Vineyards is their unwavering commitment to producing exceptional, small-production wines. Unlike many wineries that focus on mass production, Neal Family Vineyards takes pride in their meticulous attention to detail and hands-on approach. They firmly believe in quality over quantity, producing limited quantities of wine to ensure the utmost care is given to each bottle. This artisanal approach allows them to craft wines of exceptional character and complexity.

The winery's vineyards are another aspect that sets Neal Family Vineyards apart. Situated in the prestigious Napa Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area), their vineyards span across 100 acres of prime land offering diverse microclimates and soil conditions. Such diversity allows them to cultivate a wide variety of grape varietals, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. This abundance of grape varietals ensures a rich and diverse range of wines, catering to a multitude of palates.

Furthermore, Neal Family Vineyards prides itself on its sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices. They are committed to organic farming methods and employ modern viticultural techniques that minimize their ecological footprint. By prioritizing sustainable farming, they not only produce exceptional wines but also contribute to the preservation of the land they cherish and respect.

Visiting Neal Family Vineyards provides visitors with a truly immersive and intimate experience. The winery is known for its warm hospitality and personal touch. The knowledgeable and passionate staff at Neal Family Vineyards go above and beyond to make guests feel welcome, offering educational tours, tastings, and even personalized vineyard experiences. Visitors have the opportunity to witness the winemaking process firsthand, from grape to bottle, capturing the essence of the winery's commitment to quality and craftsmanship.

In conclusion, Neal Family Vineyards stands out among its peers due to its rich family history, artisanal winemaking approach, diverse vineyards, sustainable practices, and warm hospitality. This unique combination of factors creates a truly exceptional experience for wine enthusiasts looking to explore and appreciate the world-renowned wines of California's Napa Valley.

What Some Possible Concerns About Neal Family Vineyards ?

While it is important to highlight the positive aspects of wineries, it is also necessary to provide a balanced view by mentioning potential drawbacks or criticisms. However, as an AI language model, I do not have access to personal opinions or specific customer feedback about Neal Family Vineyards. To identify potential criticisms, it would be best to consult online reviews, travel websites, or forums for more information on what people didn't like about the winery.

Neal Family Vineyards History

Neal Family Vineyards is an esteemed winery located in the heart of Napa Valley, California. With a rich history spanning several generations, the winery has established itself as a producer of exceptional wines known for their elegance, quality, and distinct Napa Valley character.

The story of Neal Family Vineyards began in the early 1960s when Jack and Athene Neal first set foot in Napa Valley. Initially, the Neals were captivated by the natural beauty of the region and had no plans of becoming part of the wine industry. However, their passion for wine soon blossomed after attending a few wine events and witnessing the potential of Napa Valley's viticulture.

In 1966, Jack and Athene purchased a 20-acre parcel of land in the Howell Mountain AVA, a renowned sub-appellation renowned for its volcanic soils and cooler climate. With a vision of producing exceptional wines, they planted their first vineyard with Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Pinot Noir vines. This marked the beginning of their winemaking journey.

Over the years, the Neals persevered through various challenges and honed their winemaking skills. Their commitment to quality and meticulous attention to detail laid the foundation for Neal Family Vineyards' reputation as a producer of outstanding wines. In 1978, they released their very first vintage, which was met with critical acclaim and confirmed their dedication to crafting exceptional wines.

As the winery continued to flourish, Jack and Athene Neal's son, Mark Neal, joined the family business. Mark played a vital role in expanding the vineyard holdings and enhancing winery operations. He believed that growing grapes in the right soil and making wines with minimal intervention would allow the unique characteristics of the land to shine through. Under Mark's guidance, Neal Family Vineyards adopted sustainable farming practices, further elevating the quality of the wines.

In 2004, Neal Family Vineyards expanded its reach by acquiring a stunning property in the Rutherford AVA. This new estate showcased the winery's commitment to producing diverse and exceptional wines. The Rutherford Vineyard became the source for several varietals, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Today, Neal Family Vineyards is regarded as one of the iconic wineries in Napa Valley. With its focus on small-batch production and respect for the land, the winery continues to craft wines that reflect the unique terroir of each vineyard site. From the remarkable Howell Mountain Cabernets to the elegant Rutherford blends, Neal Family Vineyards showcases the incredible diversity and quality that Napa Valley has to offer.

The legacy of Neal Family Vineyards extends beyond winemaking excellence. The Neal family firmly believes in giving back to the community and supporting local initiatives. They have actively participated in programs dedicated to land preservation, conservation, and education, ensuring the sustainability of Napa Valley for future generations.

Visiting Neal Family Vineyards is an immersive experience, providing guests with the opportunity to not only taste their exceptional wines but also to learn about the history, viticulture, and winemaking philosophy of the winery. With breathtaking vineyard views, warm hospitality, and an unwavering commitment to quality, Neal Family Vineyards continues to contribute to the legacy of Napa Valley winemaking.

Introduction

Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!

I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....

After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.

Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.

Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.

As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.

Cheers! - Franklin Laurel