charles krug winery tours

Charles Krug Winery

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Charles Krug Winery - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Charles Krug Winery

Charles Krug winery is the oldest in Napa Valley and the first to open a tasting room. Today, it's open to visitors to explore, taste, and discover how this popular destination has forever shaped Wine Country's culture.

Step into the beautifully renovated Redwood Cellar for wine tastings and a glimpse into the winery's captivating history-rich legacy.

Get to Know Charles Krug Winery

Pioneer winemaker Charles Krug founded this winery in 1861, making it the first in Napa Valley. Closed during Prohibition, the winery reopened after Cesare Mondavi bought it in 1943. Today, it's owned and operated by the Peter Mondavi family who have a wine legacy of their own.

The Charles Krug tasting room is part of the legacy. Dating back to 1882, the Redwood Cellar was the first-of-its-kind tasting room in Napa Valley. 

Once home to the Krug's family horses, the Carriage House was lovingly restored and now boasts a second-story called the Great Room. Redwood planks from the winery's original wine tanks were carefully salvaged and repurposed into the cathedral ceiling. Truly spectacular, it's a delightfully charming venue for weddings, receptions and other special events.

The Redwood Cellar, along with the 1881 Carriage House, have been beautifully renovated in recent years and are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Vineyards and Wines

Charles Krug wines are made from grape varietals harvested from estate vineyards throughout Napa Valley. Taking advantage of the diverse terroir of the region, Krug is able to artfully craft a variety of fine wines rarely produced from a single winery.

This winery offers cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinot noir, and more -- plus sparkling and dessert wines. 

Charles Krug offers one of the most exhaustive wine lists in Napa Valley, but is best known for cabernet sauvignon.

Here are a couple recent stellar reviews for the Charles Krug Vintage Selection Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) 2018:

90 Points, Wine Enthusiast "Made entirely varietal and aged 20 months in French oak, this wine tastes of leather, cigar box and grippy blue fruit. Soft and ripe, it has a touch of tension amidst the powerful density and voluptuous style."

92 Points, Wine Spectator "Intense boysenberry, raspberry and blackberry pâte de fruit flavors drive through, flanked with an applewood note and carried by a deeply imbedded graphite spine. Licorice snap note then echoes on the finish. Best from 2022 through 2032."

Charles Krug Wine Tastings

Wine aficionados and history buffs alike will want to tour these fascinating landmarks. You'll get a peek into the valley's winemaking past as you sample the wines.

You have a few tasting options available. Estate Tasting of limited releases for $50. Better yet, take the tour and tasting for $90 -- you'll hear about Napa wine pioneer Charles Krug's beginnings plus new innovations and explore the estate. Want a private tasting in a cabana for your small group? They do that, too.

If you'd like to skip the formal tastings, stop in the Cucina di Rosa. Here you can savor a charcuterie plate that includes a selection of housemade cured meats, along with locally made cheeses. Pair your plate with a glass or two of limited release wines. You won't need a reservation to visit the Cucina di Rosa -- walk-ins are welcome.

Events at Charles Krug Winery

Charles Krug winery is host to Tastings on the Lawn , a much-anticipated annual harvest celebration of wine tastings, live music and entertainment.

Outdoor concerts and more events are held at the winery throughout the year, including Blue Note Napa concert series, comedy nights, and festivals. Check the current happenings and details on the winery's website.

Here are a few upcoming events at Charles Krug:

• June 29, 2024 - Lobster Boil
• July 12 - 21, 2024 - Festival Napa Valley
• August 24, 2024 - Blending Session with Angelina Mondavi
• October 5, 2024 - Tastings on the Lawn
• November 2, 2024 - Library Dinner

When and Where

• 2800 Main Street, St. Helena, California 94574 
• 800-682-5784 
• www.charleskrug.com

Open daily 10:30am - 5pm. The winery is closed for some holidays. Check the winery's website for the latest schedule, plus a map and directions. 

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Charles Krug Winery - Wine Tastings, Tours and a Legacy

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Charles Krug Winery

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• (707) 967-2229
• 2800 Main Street, St. Helena CA 94574

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A Legacy Isn't Built Overnight — It Takes Time. 80 Years to be Exact.

Welcome to Charles Krug, Napa Valley’s oldest winery, established in 1861, and the home of California’s first wine tasting room. Since its founding by Charles Krug, a pioneer and visionary, this winery has continued to contribute significantly to the world of wine. Our story starts 80 years ago in 1943, when The Mondavi Family purchased the winery and vowed to continue Krug’s legacy of visionary thinking and innovation. To this day, five generations later, the family remains committed to the stewardship of this iconic place, and to those principals.

When you visit our estate winery, you’ll enter our driveway, and follow the olive trees lining the vineyards to our tasting room, located in our historic Redwood Cellar. There, you’ll be offered a variety of curated tasting experiences, all detailed below. If you do not have time for a full experience, and would like to simply enjoy our beautiful space, we offer wines for purchase to enjoy at your leisure.

While outside-food and picnicking are not permitted, we do offer a cheese and charcuterie board as an add-on option.

Get an insdier's view of Charles Krug Winery

ESTATE TASTING

Join us as we take you through the history of this iconic winery. We’ll share our stories and winemaking traditions while you taste through five of our current release Napa Valley wines.

CABERNET CONNOISSEUR TASTING

This experience gives you the chance to learn about the influence of “terroir”, and how a vineyard’s location can affect a wine’s flavors and aromas, all while you taste through each of our exquisite, limited production, single-vineyard Cabernets.

FOOD AND WINE PAIRING

Wine and food are interwoven, and pairing them together in just the right way can enhance the flavors of both immensely. In this new experience, you’ll learn more about how each can elevate the other.

OUTDOOR PRIVATE CABANA

Available daily in two-hour blocks, reserve one of our private cabanas. Groups from 2 to 12 guests may enjoy a relaxing time amongst history with tasting flights or even by the glass and full-bottle selections to delicious culinary fare, we will tailor a custom experience just for you.

PRIVATE GROUP TASTINGS

We are delighted to offer PRIVATE GROUP TASTINGS for parties of 13 or more guests. Included in this experience is a tour of our beautiful historic estate and reserve barrel room, along with a seated tasting of wines selected just for your group.

At A Glance

Things To Do

Charles Krug Winery 2800 Main Street, St. Helena CA 94574 (707) 967-2229 Visit Website [email protected]

Charles Krug Winery

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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CHARLES KRUG WINERY: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Charles Krug: A Pioneer of Napa Valley Winemaking

• February 1, 2024

The story of Napa Valley’s transformation into one of the world’s premier wine regions is that  of visionaries, pioneers, and passionate individuals who shaped the viticultural landscape. Among these trailblazers, the name Charles Krug stands tall as a symbol of innovation, dedication, and a commitment to excellence in winemaking.

Early Years and Immigration to America

Charles Krug’s journey to becoming a legendary winemaker began in Prussia when he visited the United States in 1847[1]. This adventurous spirit eventually led him to become a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1852. He did not know that his destiny would be intertwined with the fertile soils of California’s Napa Valley.

Apprenticeship and Wine Education

Before venturing into his own winemaking endeavors, Charles Krug served as an apprentice winemaker under the tutelage of Agoston Haraszthy and later John Patchett[2]. These experiences provided him with invaluable insights into the art and science of winemaking, setting the stage for his future innovations.

A Union of Families

On December 26, 1860, Charles Krug married Carolina Bale. She was the daughter of Edward Turner Bale, an early Napa Valley pioneer and miller, and the granddaughter of María Isidora Vallejo from the esteemed Californio Vallejo family[3]. This union not only joined two families but also strengthened Krug’s ties to the Napa Valley, where he would leave an indelible mark.

Innovations in Winemaking

In 1861, with the dowry left by Carolina Bale, Charles Krug acquired 540 acres of pristine land north of St. Helena, California. Here, he planted vineyards and laid the foundation for what would become the Charles Krug Winery. Krug’s approach to winemaking was characterized by innovation[4]. He introduced novel ideas, such as using a cider press for pressing grapes, meticulously selecting rootstocks, varietals, and vineyard sites. His dedication to learning and sharing knowledge played a pivotal role in advancing the nascent California wine industry.

The Legacy of Charles Krug Winery

After Charles Krug’s passing, James Moffitt Sr. took ownership of the winery in 1894. However, it was in 1943 that the winery’s legacy received a new chapter. Robert Mondavi, a name synonymous with American winemaking, persuaded his parents, Cesare and Rosa Mondavi, to acquire the inactive Charles Krug Winery from Moffitt for $75,000[5].

Did you know? Charles Krug was Napa Valley's first hired winemaker and made Napa Valley's first commercial wine.

Today, Charles Krug Winery endures as a living testament to the enduring spirit of its founder. Owned by the family of Robert Mondavi’s younger brother, Peter Mondavi, the winery continues to produce exceptional wines that reflect the rich heritage and pioneering spirit of Charles Krug.

In conclusion, the story of Charles Krug is not merely a tale of one man’s pursuit of winemaking excellence but a chapter in the larger narrative of Napa Valley’s rise to global prominence. His innovations, commitment to quality, and dedication to learning have left an indelible mark on the world of wine—a legacy that continues to flourish in every bottle bearing the Charles Krug name.

Links to wineries represented by Charles Krug

• https://www.charleskrug.com/
• https://thisdayinwinehistory.com/timeline/the-first-commercial-winery-in-napa-valley-was-established-by-charles-krug/
• https://thisdayinwinehistory.com/mondavi-winemaking-family/

Want to read more? Try these books!

References:.

[1] https://www.charleskrug.com/legacy [2] https://ynoguy.com/2014/tale-of-two-counties-p5/#:~:text=Charles%20Krug%20briefly%20helped%20Patchett,Beringer%20Estate%20Wines%20in%201875 . [3] Daniel Mangin, “Founded in 1861, Napa’s oldest operating winery has a fascinating history.,” (2020), https://dannymangin.com/wine/charles-krug-winery/

Bibliography

Bill Langley, “Tale of Two Counties. Napa vs. Sonoma. Part 5,” (10 Mar 2014) https://ynoguy.com/2014/tale-of-two-counties-p5/#:~:text=Charles%20Krug%20briefly%20helped%20Patchett,Beringer%20Estate%20Wines%20in%201875 .

Charles Krug Winery, “Charles Krug Winery,” https://www.napawineproject.com/charles-krug-winery/#:~:text=Charles%20Krug%20made%20wine%20in,Napa%20Valley’s%20first%20commercial%20wine .

Daniel Mangin, “Founded in 1861, Napa’s oldest operating winery has a fascinating history.,” (2020), https://dannymangin.com/wine/charles-krug-winery/

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Explore Charles Krug Winery: Pioneers of Napa Wine Tasting

by Fran Miller

Photos courtesy of Charles Krug Winery

April 27, 2024

Courtesy of Charles Krug Winery

O ne of wine culture’s greatest allures is the wine-tasting ritual. It is standard practice that most wineries worldwide offer varied hospitality experiences where guests are toured through the winemaking facilities and barrel rooms, followed by food and wine pairings that spotlight a label’s varietal wines.

In California, the wine-tasting practice originated at the Charles Krug Winery , founded in 1861 in Napa Valley by Prussian immigrant Charles Krug, who opened his estate for public tastings in 1882, establishing the Golden State’s first wine-tasting room. 

Today, the Charles Krug Estate is renowned for its exceptional wines, which tourists can enjoy within its stunning world-class St. Helena venue, where the winery’s rich history can be fully explored and appreciated.

Though, at the time, he was considered a winemaking visionary , Krug would probably be quite surprised by the transformation of his humble winery and the original 540 acres of prime land that he acquired via his marriage to Carolina Bale. 

She was the daughter of early Napa pioneer and miller Edward Turner Bale and the granddaughter of María Isidora Vallejo from the esteemed Californio Vallejo family.

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Today, the Charles Krug Redwood Cellar (built in 1872) and Carriage House (built in 1881) are home to a tasting room and hospitality center designed by the talented architect Howard Backen. The renovations and restorations won the winery several awards, including the Napa County Landmark Award of Merit and the Governor’s Historic Preservation Award . 

Backen, a famed designer of many of Wine Country’s most scenic properties , worked within strict standards, as the legendary estate is a registered California Historical Landmark. His inspiration was two-fold: to preserve the elegant and significant structures for generations and continue utilizing them for winemaking, cultural activities, and hospitality. 

The motivation was particularly pertinent to the current owners, the Mondavi family, whose forebears Cesare and Rosa Mondavi purchased the winery in 1943 to continue building the winery’s reputation for quality and innovation, which Krug was well-known for. He introduced novel ideas, such as using a cider press to press grapes and meticulously selecting rootstocks, varietals and vineyard sites.

Krug’s dedication to learning and sharing knowledge was pivotal in advancing the budding California wine industry, something the Mondavis take seriously as stewards of the oldest winery in Napa Valley.

“Hospitality has always been at the core of our philosophy at Charles Krug, and our ICONIC Redwood Cellar tasting room is central to showcasing our position as a pioneer in Napa Valley tourism,” says fourth-generation family member Riana Mondavi, co-proprietress of the winery. “We’re excited to continue evolving Charles Krug as the winery for Napa’s next generation and the epicenter of culture in Napa Valley.”

At Charles Krug, guests can sample the winery’s varied bottlings, such as the core-foundation Napa Valley Series of wines crafted from sustainably grown, pristine fruit from estate vineyards in Napa’s best wine appellations. Or the Family Reserve portfolio, offering expertly crafted Bordeaux-style wines. 

Generations Red Blend and Vintage Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, two of Charles Krug’s most popular and critically acclaimed offerings, showcase the expertise of Angelina Mondavi, fourth-generation family member and consulting winemaker. Angelina is a winemaking veteran with extensive experience making highly regarded wines. Her deeply rooted knowledge of her family’s 857 acres of prime Napa Valley land allows her to craft elegant, balanced wines evocative of their distinct terroir. 

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Enjoy the “Tour and Tasting” experience and trace Charles Krug’s winemaking history with a guided tour of the beautiful, historic estate. Try the “Blind Taste Like a Somm” experience and learn the nuances, tips and tricks of identifying wines like a sommelier. Or select the “Food & Wine Pairing” experience, which pairs small bites with exclusive wines. The “Caviar & Wine Pairing” features Italian Calvisius Caviar, exclusively hand-selected for Charles Krug, expertly paired with small-lot sparkling and white wines. 

For an al fresco experience, reserve an outdoor private cabana and relax with a tailored experience of tasting flights by the glass, full-bottle selections and delicious culinary fare.

“As we toast to 80 years of bringing guests an experience like no other, we pride ourselves on being the pioneer of Napa Valley wine experiences,” says Peter Jr. and Marc Mondavi, co-proprietors of the winery. “Today, five generations later, our family legacy continues as stewards of this historic estate, the ultimate wine country destination.”

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Featured Winery: Charles Krug Winery

May 24, 2021 | Blog , Featured Wineries

The history of Napa Valley starts at Charles Krug Winery. Founded in 1861 by a Prussian immigrant, this iconic winery and historic Redwood Cellar and Carriage House represents the great legacy of a visionary man. After Prohibition ended, another 1st generation immigrant family, the Mondavis, revived this great property that is now home to the fifth generation of family ownership. Charles Krug history is Napa Valley history.

This spectacular winery is situated in the heart of Napa Valley in the town of St. Helena. The 150 acres that Cesare’ and Rosa Mondavi purchased in 1943 are still part of its growing vineyard holdings. They source from nine vineyards scattered throughout the Napa Valley. They are renown Cabernet Sauvignon producers who introduce a number of Bordeaux varietals (Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petit Sirah, Merlot) and also produce a delicious Sauvignon Blanc.

The grounds of Charles Krug are pristine. The Redwood Cellar, the first building you will visit on property, is a stately building that originally housed Charles Krug and his wine making team. When the Mondavis purchased it, they modernized it for cutting edge wine making in the 1960s and further renovated it in the early 2000s into the architectural masterpiece that it is today. The Carriage House, originally a gift from Charles Krug to his bride, Carolina Bale, to house their horses and carriages, was modernized to a magnificent ballroom and event space that is now home to dozens of weddings and large events every year. The Great Lawn, adjacent to the Carriage House, is 5+ acres of a majestic lawn that has been home to major concerts, symphony orchestras, ballet troupes, and large scale culinary events. The Stage on the Great Lawn was built as a speakers forum in the 1950s so community leaders could speak to large groups.

In 2021, Charles Krug is home to the Blue Note Napa, hosting 60 jazz concerts featuring Chris Botti, Kenny G, Taj Mahal, Jody Watley and Dave Koz. They are also home to Festival Napa Valley featuring some of the great orchestras, opera stars and ballet performers around the world, and are a major venue for the Napa Valley Film Festival. They have also created Charles Krug branded events like Comedy (with the Laugh Cellar), A Celebration of the Fashion Arts with Doris Hobbs, a speakers series called SIP with Charles Krug (a Series of Interesting People), Sunset Cinemas, featuring the best movies from the previous Napa Valley Film Festival, and a number of culinary events to celebrate the Culinary arts.

Their indoor and outdoor tasting areas are unique and memorable. Indoors in the Redwood Cellar, you will be able to visit a historic barrel room and get a glimpse of Big Red, the last remaining redwood wine tank. The outdoor cabana garden and homemade pizzas create a very delicious alternative to the normal wine tastings around the valley. Make your reservations now to visit this historic winery. https://www.charleskrug.com/

You can avoid all of the work and stress of planning your Napa Valley or Sonoma wine region visit by allowing us to guide you through a most compelling and memorable day in the wine country!

On our small group join-in wine tours, you’ll meet other wine adventurers on a roomy shuttle led by one of our friendly and informative tour guides. We’ll pick you up from your area lodging for a day filled with fun, flavor and adventure!

Or…make it private! We’re happy to accommodate couples or groups of any size for customized tours through the wine country.

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The 5 Oldest Wineries in the Napa Valley

July 17, 2019 | Travel Trips

You’d be hard pressed to find a wine lover in the world who is not familiar with the Napa Valley or who’s dreamed of enjoying a Napa Valley wine tour . Widely considered the United States’ premier wine region, it is also one of the most historic. While each year more wineries open their doors to wine cruises and the wine-loving public, there are also a number that have stood the test of time and are still running today.

A Brief History of Wine-Making in The Napa Valley

The history of winemaking in Napa Valley can be traced right back to the 18th century, when the first grapes were planted in California by the Spanish. It wouldn’t be until about one hundred years later that they were plated in the Napa Valley, and began to be cultivated in a way we’d recognize today. By the end of the 19th century, the wine industry in Napa Valley was flourishing with almost 150 wineries.

Unfortunately, the industry would soon be hit by a double-whammy that spelled the end for many wineries. In 1910, the dreaded phylloxera virus spread through the valley, killing off more than 90% of the vines. Then in the 1920s, the Prohibition era kicked in, nearly bringing an end to Napa Valley all together.

Luckily, a handful of wineries managed to survive these tumultuous events and come out on the other side. Others were nurtured back to their former glory by passionate winemakers who saw the region’s potential. They formed the foundation for the new and rejuvenated Napa Valley, which is today one of the world’s premier wine regions.

The 5 oldest wineries in the Napa Valley

With more than 300 wineries nowadays, there’s plenty to choose from – but these old and historic ones are still amongst the most loved.

Charles Krug

It makes sense to start with the oldest Napa Valley winery, the ever-popular Charles Krug. The vines were first planted in 1861, and the winery became the first to open its tasting room to the general public way back in 1882. So, anyone enjoying some amazing cellar door tastings in the Napa Valley can thank Charles Krug.

Not content to rest on its historic past, Charles Krug continues to be an innovative and dynamic producer of quality wines. Their tasting experience is also one of the most iconic in the region and is a much-loved stop during Napa Valley wine tours. As well as the wine tasting experience, they also offer scrumptious wood-fired pizzas to accompany your favorite vino.

Beringer Vineyards

One of the few wineries in the Napa Valley that managed to trade all through the early 1900s, Beringer Vineyards is in fact California’s longest continually-operating vineyard. The history of this winery can be traced back to 1875, when the grapes were planted by by the Beringer brothers. The brothers emigrated from Germany, bringing with them their knowledge of wine-making.

Ever since, the winery has been producing top-quality wines and offering a unique and charming experience to visitors. While the Beringer brothers eventually sold the winery, one of their descendants is still at the helm, making wine the Beringer way. As well as the wine, another highlight is taking a tour through the vineyard’s hand-dug tunnels.

The scourge of phylloxera means that only a handful of Napa Valley wineries enjoy vines that are pre-1900. Inglenook winery is one of these, boasting a small section of old vines that are still used in their wine today. A single varietal from these vines, like the 2014 Rubicon, is particularly sought after.

The history of Inglenook dates back from 1879 when a Finnish immigrant purchased the land and planted the vines. It has since changed hands, most famously finding itself under the ownership of the actor Francis Ford Coppola in 1975. It’s been on the up ever since, and consistently produces some of the best wines in the Napa Valley.

While Charles Krug may be the oldest winery in the Napa Valley, Hendry actually boasts slightly older vines. They were planted in 1859, pipping Krug at the post by just two years. Although it was at the forefront of the burgeoning Napa Valley wine industry, the winery was out of action for nearly half a century between the 1880s and 1930s.

In 1939, the winery was given a new lease on life when it was purchased by married couple Margaret Munn and George W. Hendry. Their plans to revive the winery were almost scuttered when George sadly passed away just five years after it was purchased – however, Margaret’s resilience saw her steer the winery through this difficult time and back to its former glory. Since then, it’s gone from strength to strength, producing exceptional wine, including some unusual varietals.

Schramsberg Wines

The story of Schramsberg Wines is one that is common throughout the Napa Valley. Its beginnings are traced back to 1861, when a German immigrant decided to plant a selection of grapes. Things went well, and the winery grew, boasting over 30,000 vines and the region’s first hillside cave, which was used to store and age wine.

Unfortunately, Schramsberg Wines, too, fell into disrepair during the bad luck of the early 1900s. It was largely “down and out” when an optimistic pair saw its potential and purchased the estate in 1965. Their belief in the vineyard paid off, and they nurtured the winery back to its former glory.

In particular, Schramsberg is known for its exceptional sparkling – perfect for raising a toast to the historic region.

From July 14-25, 2020, Schramsberg and Davies Vineyards will be venturing to Northern Europe on a wine cruise. Starting in Sweden, the cruise will dock in Estonia, Finland, Russia, Poland, Denmark, and England. The one-of-a-kind experience will be filled with wine receptions, dinners, events, and seminars on board. Contact us to reserve your spot now before it’s sold out!

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Discover our Carriage House, a picturesque winery venue, perfect for your private party, corporate event, or even your wedding. EXPLORE TODAY

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Custom Experiences

From intimate private dinners in our stunning Redwood Cellar and Glamping on the Great Lawn to spectacular weddings in the historic Carriage House, our iconic estate has been home to many memorable gatherings. Our experienced team of event specialists will assist you in creating flawless memories that will last a lifetime.

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Discover our Venue

With over 150 years of roots in Napa County, Charles Krug Winery boasts excellence around every corner. Your guests will be delighted with our world class hospitality center, award winning wines and storied heritage.

Your Ideal Venue

Our historic estate is blessed with a myriad of atmospheric spaces that can accommodate a wide-range of needs, from small-scale intimate retreats to complex large-scale events like the Napa Valley Barrel Auction. Dazzle your friends, colleagues or clients with an event that blends the best of wine country with our unique history.

• Holiday Parties
• Corporate Retreats
• Conferences
• Wellness Events
• Culinary Gatherings

The Perfect Location

Elegance meets history in the heart of Napa Valley, your special occasion will be simply breathtaking on our legendary estate.

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The Great Lawn

With its park-like setting filled with heritage oak trees and surrounded by vineyards, our Great Lawn provides the ultimate flexibility for large or small corporate events and the ideal Napa Valley wedding venue. From elaborate, al fresco dinners under the stars, to fun and creative team-building activities, we can accommodate a myriad events and group sizes. You can even glamp at Charles Krug!

LAWN CAPACITY

1200 - Reception | 800 - Seated

Redwood Cellar

Recently renovated by famed architect Howard Backen, and featured in Architectural Digest, our historic Redwood Cellar dates back to 1872. Rustic yet modern, with high, open-beam ceilings and giant windows showcasing our Family Reserve Barrel Room, it’s the perfect setting for an intimate dinner or wedding or large-group reception.

UPSTAIRS CAPACITY

250 - Reception | 110 - Seated

DOWNSTAIRS CAPACITY

275 - Reception | 120 - Seated

Carriage House

Built in 1881, the historic Carriage House is one of Napa Valley’s architectural gems. Featuring a renovated ballroom and dining room, soaring cathedral ceiling, stunning period chandeliers, and arched doorways overlooking the expansive Great Lawn, it is the ideal setting for a special celebration or corporate meeting.

500 - Reception | 300 - Seated

275 - Reception | 150 - Seated

We’re here to help

Our versatile event spaces also features state-of-the-art production capabilities, onsite parking, upscale food and drink options, and an experienced team of event professionals who are here to help make sure your event is a success.

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Charles Krug Winery

Review by Dave 5 Comments

During its long and storied history, the winery has only had three owners, founder and namesake, Charles Krug & his wife Carolina, James Moffitt and the Mondavi family. While Charles Krug is the oldest winery in the Napa Valley – this must be clarified. Patchett’s Grove Winery, founded by John Moyer Patchett was the first ever commercial winery in Napa Valley (1857); in 1860 his vineyard was 55 acres, the largest in Napa County. Patchett did not produce wine for many years as his health started to fail him; we haven’t yet found an exact final vintage date but have found references to stopping production sometime by the mid 1860s. He died of cancer in 1876. In 1878 his winery was hit by lightning and completely destroyed.

It is interesting to note that Patchett had been making noncommercial wine in the 1850s for several years prior to his first commercial release. Patchett built a small adobe winery, Napa’s first commercial winery which he replaced a year later by Napa’s first stone winery.

Charles Krug made wine in the region in neighboring Sonoma County as early as 1856/1857 (but was not sold commercially). As an important piece of viticulture history – Charles Krug was Napa Valley’s first hired winemaker and made Napa Valley’s first commercial wine. He also introduced the cider press to the valley as a more efficient way of winemaking.

He was hired by Patchett in 1858 and produced a vintage later that year. According to the Napa County Historical Society, Patchett made the first commercial wine in Napa Valley in 1857, 6 barrels. Krug also produced wine in 1859 for Louis Bruck (later the uncle to Charles and Carolina’s children) who owned a ranch between St. Helena and Calistoga. In 1860 it is noteworthy to mention that Krug also produced wine for George Yount at his property near present day Yountville.

St. Helena located David Fulton Winery was built in 1861 following Charles Krug. The original Schramsberg winery dates from 1862. Suffice to say, there are very few wineries in Napa Valley that were founded in the 1860s. Others with physical wineries built in the 1860s included Crane, Pellet, Brannan, Woodward and Sigrist.

While Charles Krug was the second commercial wine making venture in all of the Napa Valley – the first winemaking happened sometime in the 1840s. Records show that George Yount (Yountville’s namesake who first visited the Napa Valley in 1831) moved onto his nearly 12,000 acres of land (ranging from just south of St. Helena to south of present day Yountville – the Caymus Rancho land grant) in 1838 and planted the first ever grapevines in Napa Valley in 1838/1839 not far from the tiny village called Sebastopol at the time (later changed to Yountville). This site is currently the vineyard location of Ghost Block owned by the Hoxey family.

While no records remain that show the date of Yount’s first noncommercial winemaking – perhaps it was in the early 1840s after his vineyard had matured. Records do show that he made some noncommercial wine by the late 1840s. This would have been the first ever wine produced in the Napa Valley.

The descriptions below of Charles Krug’s life before coming to the Napa Valley were referenced from Charles Krug’s obituary published in a variety of newspapers in November 1892 (we have found very few other references to his early life other than the obituary). Charles Krug was born in 1825 in what was Prussia, came to the United States for the first time in 1847 and taught school in Philadelphia for less than a year. Staying current with events back in Europe – he left the United States, settling in Frankfurt and began to play a role in the German revolutions of 1848–1849 – which were rooted in the French Revolution of 1848. Krug began writing revolutionary articles prior to actually participating in the attempt to overthrow parliament. The attempt failed, and he was jailed for nine months. Another later revolution freed him from prison. He returned to Philadelphia in 1851.

The reason he initially came to California was to take a job as the founding editor of the weekly Staats Zeitung (in English, State Newspaper) based in San Francisco – the first German paper in circulation on the west coast of the United States. This newspaper was active from 1852 through 1918. After his work as editor, he took a job as a gold refiner at the San Francisco Mint.

Krug’s first land purchase was in neighboring Sonoma County in 1853 from Agoston Haraszthy who he already knew from when both men were working at the San Francisco Mint. Agoston was founder of Buena Vista Winery, one of California’s oldest wineries. Krug planted several varieties on his 25 acres of land that he called Monte Bello. Records show that he sold this property in 1860 to move to Napa Valley and start Charles Krug Winery. We have not yet been able to determine the exact location of his Monte Bello Vineyard (we asked Peter Mondavi Sr years ago, and he also wasn’t sure of the location) although most likely it was on the outskirts of the town of Sonoma near Buena Vista Winery. Perhaps noted local historian George Weber would have a better idea of its location.

From historical records, Charles Krug planted his first grapes in St. Helena in 1861 – two years after the first ever vineyard was planted in this town by George Belden Crane. These first Krug grapes planted were the Mission variety – by 1875 he would abandon growing Mission grapes due to their inferior quality.

Krug’s first winery building was also completed in 1861 and was a fairly small crude cellar with a thatched roof. We have seen references that his first vintage was made using grapes from Knights Valley. A major fire destroyed this first structure in 1874 due to a wooden cask exploding while it was being sulphured inside and by 1875 Krug had built a larger and sturdier 320,000+ gallon storage capacity winery. Jacob Beringer (later founder of Beringer Brothers Winery) fought valiantly to try and save the building. A St. Helena Star article from July 2, 1880, indicates even more additions and improvements were made to the cellar and his own home this year – and the year prior a new hydraulic press was installed. Production records from the 1870s and 1880s show that Charles Krug Winery was among the largest producers in all of the Napa Valley.

Also of historical significance, Charles Krug married Carolina Bale, 17 years his junior the day after Christmas in 1860, months before founding Charles Krug Winery. Carolina only lived until age 49 and according to a Napa Valley Register article from November 6, 1879 – she eventually had bouts of insanity and at one point had to be committed to an insane asylum (today known as a Psychiatric hospital). Carolina was the daughter of Edward Bale (a man who claimed to be a physician) and General Mariano Vallejo’s niece Maria Ignacia Soberanes.

At the middle age of 30 Bale was given the Rancho Carne Humana land grant – a nearly 18,000-acre parcel of land. This was roughly the entire valley between present day Tubbs Lane just north of Calistoga all the way down to Galleron Lane in Rutherford (today with no traffic about a 20-minute drive); records show that this was the 6th land grant given out by General Vallejo – the first being to George Yount (eventually 15 land grants in the Napa Valley would be issued prior to California statehood in 1850). Bale’s homestead, built in the early 1840s was anchored by a two-story adobe home on the west end of what is now Whitehall Lane (south of St. Helena). A grist mill was also on site. The adobe structure stood until 1931 when it was destroyed by a farmer. Bale owned one of the early vineyards in the Napa Valley – having planted Mission grapes on his property in the 1840s.

In 1844 Bale accused General Vallejo’s brother of unwanted advances towards his wife and decided to violently take matters into his own hands. He found Vallejo’s brother in the town of Sonoma and fired off two shots at him but did not kill him. Bale was locked up and would have been lynched but was saved by a release order given by then Governor Manuel Micheltorena in Monterey, California. Bale eventually got gold fever, heading to the California gold fields and got the real fever – becoming ill he died in 1849 at 38 years of age.

After the marriage, the Krug’s inherited through a dowry 540 acres of land which included the Bale Grist Mill (built in 1846). Part of this land gift also included property on what is lower Spring Mountain in part currently occupied by Fantesca Estate. The old mill is still standing (although it’s been restored since its initial construction) and is now part of the Bale Grist Mill State Historic Park. This was also the site for some of those participating in the Bear Flag Revolt of 1846 to gather at the new mill – before riding their horses all the way into the Sonoma Plaza. Open on the weekends for milling demonstrations, it is only a 5-minute drive from Charles Krug Winery.

Not to ever be confused with Charles Krug

Krug Champagne, not associated with Charles Krug

Speaking of the nearby Beringer Brothers, Jacob Beringer arrived in St. Helena in 1870 and took a job as cellar superintendent at Charles Krug – he worked at Krug until 1878 until he left to pursue building the very young at the time, Beringer Brothers Winery with his brother Frederick.

Charles Krug was actively involved in both the local and state viticultural communities; he founded the Napa and Sonoma Wine Company with a focus on shipping wines to the east coast and in 1875 was one of the founding members of the St. Helena Vinicultural Club (in 1880 the name was changed to the St. Helena Vinicultural Association – and note its spelling). Before the group started formally meeting once a month, Krug met with other notable vintners or vineyard owners including Henry Pellet and Seneca Ewer approaching them about the idea of starting an organization to help promote wines from vintners located in St. Helena. At one point Krug served as their president. Today this is organization is known as Appellation St. Helena. Krug also served the state of California as a member representing Napa, Solano and Contra Costa counties on the Board of State Viticultural Commission. And he traveled promoting his own wines while simultaneously representing the Napa Valley.

The final years of Krug’s ownership were difficult – his business was failing, so was his health and Carolina had died a year before his own death in 1892. Before he died, he leased a sizable portion of his cellar to William B Bourne (reference Greystone Cellars history and Chase Family Cellars). His funeral was a large event (one account listed as many as 300 horse-drawn carriages in the procession – remember this was before the automobile) with many fellow vintners in attendance including contemporaries such as Beringer, Ewer and Pellet.

This is an excerpt of our interview with Peter Mondavi Sr. about the transition in ownership:

“The Krug property I don’t really recall was publicized for sale – but my father found it through banker Paul Alexander. The rumor was this place was really for sale. My father was very well acquainted with the banker/owner, James Moffitt, so Mr. Moffitt arranged a meeting at Crocker First National Bank in San Francisco (Editor’s note: this building completed in 1908 was at 1 Montgomery Street – the first two floors still are standing as the rest of the upper floors were demolished in the 1980s).

Mr. Moffitt owned the property as a summer home. So anyway, we had the meeting, and I was in the service at that time. I had a leave of absence for a few days. It was me, my brother and my father. I remember my father saying, “if you two want to perpetuate the business, I’ll seriously consider the purchase of the property.” The price at that time was $75,000 for the whole property. Of course, it was all in shambles, the buildings – they never nailed the floors in. A lot of the flooring was taken out – never nailed in, only laid in.

There was no activity on the place, it was leased prior to Louis Stralla (Editor’s note: Stralla was one of the seven founding members of the Napa Vintners Association in 1944) on an annual basis (his lease ran out in 1940). It was just an open cellar with dirt floors and half of a 2nd floor and a partial 3rd floor. People would take the wood from the flooring and use it for other things. It wasn’t an operating winery, that’s for sure.

The conversation went on for 15-20 minutes talking about this and that. Mr. Moffitt got a phone call – he went out of the room to take it. My father knew the price and course Mr. Moffitt knew the price. My father showed interest because my brother and I were interested. It was understood we were definitely interested in the place. So anyway, he took that telephone call, and we heard him say, “No I just sold it”. He came back and told my father “It’s yours”, just like that, out of the blue.

Of course, it was obvious Paul Alexander was in close contact with Mr. Moffitt and told him of my dad’s reputation.”

The Mondavi Family Moffit owned the property for some 49 years until Cesare (pronounced chez a ray ) and Rosa Mondavi purchased 147 acres including the winery in 1943. At the time of their purchase the winery building was really rundown – the floor was dirt, and the upper floors were only partially still standing (over the years wood had been removed from the walls).

Their sons Robert and Peter were also involved in the winery operations. Peter Mondavi Sr., (brother of Robert Mondavi) lived and worked on site after returning from his service in World War II until his death in 2016 (our interview with him here) and his two sons Peter Jr. and Marc run the day-to-day operations. Peter Mondavi was truly the last of the “living legends” in Napa Valley.

Peter, one of four siblings was born in Minnesota; the family was originally from the small town of Sassoferrato in the province of Ancona in Italy. Initially they settled in a mining town of Virginia, Minnesota in 1908. Peter grew up in Lodi California where his father Cesare moved the family in 1922 to work in grape shipping and distribution. At one point prior to owning Charles Krug, Cesare was the president of the large Acampo Winery in Lodi. The family business continued to grow – even more so during Prohibition when demand increased for fresh grapes (heads of households could legally make 200 gallons of home wine during Prohibition).

The family lived in at least two homes in the Lodi area, the most prominent family home is still standing – located only a few blocks from downtown Lodi. The home was built in 1917 – the family moved in sometime in the mid 1920s. Dated today, the interior feels like walking back in time – original wallpaper that Rosa chose still lines the walls, the original radiator still works, and the front room is still in its same location (albeit with different décor) where Cesare conducted his wine business. And it was within these walls that in 1943 Robert first broached the idea of purchasing Charles Krug Winery to his father.

Cesare was a partner in Sunny St. Helena Winery in the Napa Valley in 1937 (now Merryvale Vineyards). The Mondavi family purchased Charles Krug Winery in 1943 and produced their first vintage in 1944. From a master list we have spent significant time curating of wineries producing continuously since at least 1979 or before, only the following 5 Napa Valley based wineries have produced a vintage continuously prior to Charles Krug: Louis Martini (1933), Inglenook (1933, founded 1879 – we are counting Rubicon Estate here, as in the 1980s, as a standalone brand Inglenook did not produce wine for at least one vintage), Nichelini (1890), Beaulieu Vineyard (1904, founded 1900) and Beringer (1876).

Expanding as they grew production and sales the Mondavi’s recognized the need to own their own vineyards – in 1962 they purchased 550 acres in Oakville from a vineyard that they were already familiar with since they had been purchasing fruit from it for a number of years. This vineyard formed the majority of the historical footprint of To Kalon Vineyard. Eventually Robert Mondavi took ownership of the Charles Krug portion of this vineyard.

In 1966 during the buildup to Ronald Reagan’s run for his first term as governor of California, he visited Napa Valley twice that year including in the city of Napa in May at his local campaign headquarters office and then on September 13, 1966, where he stopped and spoke to about 700 people at Charles Krug Winery (admission was free). Peter Mondavi personally gifted him some of the Charles Krug wines while Reagan was on stage. This was the second such gift of Krug wines, as was gifted a case of Krug wines when he spoke at Aetna Springs Resort the previous year.

And according to an article in The St. Helena Star dated February 24, 1972 Schlitz Beer had shown and interest in purchasing Charles Krug Winery. However, Krug’s board of directors voted 4-3 against selling the company. This article reported that well-known San Francisco Chronicle columnist and man about town Herb Caen had incorrectly reported that Schlitz Beer had made a 30 million dollar offer for the winery.

The Winery Charles Krug has invested millions of dollars over the years into their vineyards including replanting at times – from a winery perspective that is the first and smartest investment a winery can make – as producing high quality wine begins and ends with its vineyards. Many of their vineyards are now organically farmed. With 850 acres under family ownership in the Napa Valley, they are one of the largest family-owned vineyard landholders in the region.

The winery is located about 1.5 miles north of the town of St. Helena on the east side of the highway. This is an impressive and very historical winery neighborhood. For reference, their driveway is just north of Beringer Vineyard and the impressive Culinary Institute of America (old Greystone Cellars). Drive down a long olive tree lined driveway and park in one of several small open-air parking spaces within a short walk of the tasting room.

As you arrive on the property, note the rose bushes planted in front of the vineyard rows. Historically these were planted here because they are an indicator species often showing signs of powdery mildew (a fungal disease) before the vines do – letting vineyard workers know it was time to spray the vines with sulfur. Today vineyard managers have other ways of knowing when to spray sulfur. And of course, the roses add a nice visual element to a vineyard.

The wineries’ massive historical stone building and carriage house underwent a major structural & visible renovation (finished in 2013). The company in charge of this project also restored and retrofitted the nearby historical Greystone building, now serving as home to the Culinary Institute of America. Along with this renovation they brought the winery up to modern standards and in effect built “two wineries” for their production of both the Charles Krug wines / Peter Mondavi Family wines as well as their much larger production, CK Mondavi.

With a kitchen on the first floor, both food and wine pairings are offered. In a nod to family history, it is called the Cucina di Rosa trattoria (Rosa was the original matriarch of the Mondavi Family). The Trattoria is open daily – guests can purchase food items here and take them outside and enjoy on picnic tables on the lawn behind the tasting room. A pizza oven operates seasonally next to the picnic tables – recommended: buy a bottle of wine and enjoy it with a fresh baked delicious thin-crust pizza. All those bottles behind the tasting bar show labels displaying one date on each bottle – 1861 a nice tribute to the year Charles Krug opened.

Krug offers an excellent variety of wines for guests to the property. Visitors who enter the tasting room are greeted by a concierge and a welcome wine. The staff is friendly and helpful. Choose from several tasting flights – the Napa Valley (some whites and reds), Sparkling Wine and their Limited Release and Family Reserve (primarily reds). We highly recommend choosing these more limited production wines (since they are not available in distribution).

Select Wines History is obviously a key component at Charles Krug; they hold back older vintages, during earlier visits we saw wines up to 20 years old for sale in the tasting room. And the private reserve room next to the great cellar contains an impressive collection of their vintage selection wines dating all the way back to 1944. One can easily see the corroding lead foils on some of the older vintages. They continue to corrode to the point where employees have to clean the countertop below these bottles every once in a while.

Charles Krug produces and bottles four different wine offerings. These include their Napa Valley Series (larger production wines produced from a variety of vineyard sites in the Napa Valley), Limited Release wines (single vineyard wines only available for tasting and purchase at the winery), Generations Family Reserve (a Bordeaux styled red blend) and their Vintage Selection Cabernet Sauvignon (their flagship wine from this variety, only produced during exceptional years).

Whites The 2022 Charles Krug Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley; this wine is medium straw in color. The bouquet immediately smells like spring florals, including citrus blossom and jasmine. There are also notes of golden delicious apple, ripe pear and pineapple guava. This is a highly enjoyable wine to smell. The palate offers flavors of guava, ruby red grapefruit, pomelo, kiwi, lime, apple, white peaches and honeydew melon. The flavors are on the herbal side of the spectrum, but are in no way green or grassy. The finish lingers with a tarragon or dill type subtle sweetness.

Resurrecting a sparkling wine after many years in 2020, Charles Krug produced a non-vintage Carolina Bale Blanc de Blancs (100% varietal Chardonnay sourced from Mendocino County) made offsite at a winery in Sonoma County. Medium yellow in the glass offers floral notes including honeysuckle. Flavors of both green and red apple and kiwi show on the palate. Bright, refreshing and easy to drink. An accompanying sparkling wine is also produced – the Carolina Bale Brut Rosé.

The 2018 Charles Krug Limited Release Carneros Chardonnay is medium gold in color – offers hints of margarine (but is certainly not butter driven on the bouquet) along with citrus blossom, melon and red apple. Was aged sur lie – the results show in its texture – a roundedness across the palate. Rich with more going on than just the fruit – offers a toasted almond characteristic on the palate along with minerality notes; lingers with flavors of tangerine, hazelnut, and hints of desert spices. A noticeable liveliness of acidity and fruit persists on the finish. Very nicely done.

Reds The 2017 Charles Krug Limited Reserve Malbec was sourced from one of their Yountville properties; this wine is 97% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot. Dark ruby with purple edges on the rim in the glass. Very fruit forward with appealing ripe aromatics of blueberry and plum. Becomes a little more aromatically savory as the wine opens. Decidedly California style – not a typical more earth-driven Argentina style. Opulent across the palate with flavors of blueberry and plum. Rounded plush tannins anchor the smooth finish. Will be easily enjoyed by a variety of palates.

And when it came time to decide upon a name to bottle this wine, long time employee Alfredo Martin (since retired) who oversaw their cellar and bottling line production at the time suggested the name ‘generations’ – tying into both the multi-generational Mondavi family, and some of their employees who had generationally worked at Charles Krug – not to mention, a blend of multiple grape varieties tied in well with the name. This first vintage was co-fermented of course, varieties in the blend for later and current vintages are vinified separately and then blended together before bottling. And what would be a huge problem today but was amicably agreed upon years ago – Raymond Vineyards also produces a generations Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a rare instance of where two different wineries continue to produce both the same varietal wine using the same name.

The 2017 Charles Krug Generations Red Blend (83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot – all harvested from estate vineyards in Yountville) is inky purple – the Petit Verdot and its rich phenolics show off well in the color of this wine); offers forward aromatics of boysenberry, blackberry and notes of chocolate. Ripe but never over ripe in its aromatic presentation. Mouthwatering, juicy across the palate – delivers an intensity of flavor without heavy structure. Lingers with both long lasting grape and wood tannins – both are well integrated into the finish. Spent 18-20 months in French oak.

The 2016 Charles Krug Vintage Selection is 99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot – with the fruit from their Voltz and Slinsen vineyards in Yountville (both vineyards are right next to each other) and also Cold Springs on Howell Mountain. Dark ruby in color offers aromatics of blackberry and plum along with a subtle nuance of mocha – also shows a little bit savory with hints of dried herbs and old cedar box. Balanced with flavors of dark cherry and blackberry. The texture is certainly an appealing hallmark of this wine – it has density but with a round tannic structure that is dusty and almost chalk-like in feel. Very approachable while young but has all the hallmarks to cellar for years. This wine has deep historical roots at Charles Krug – it was first produced in 1944 by the Mondavi family. And this particular vintage was the first ever time that mountain grown fruit was incorporated into the wine.

And in 2022 it was announced that for the first time ever, Charles Krug Winery in conjunction with Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma made wine together with the release of this coming at Premiere Napa Valley.

Incidentally, Gould was also instrumental in providing early public relations support for the Napa Valley Wine Library Association – an organization that preserves information relating to viticulture and wineries as it relates to the Napa Valley – and incidentally they host one of the best tastings (open to members) in all of Napa Valley each year in August at the Silverado Country Club.

Krug’s August and September ‘Tastings on the Lawn’ are two very popular social gatherings of wine lovers held annually since 1951 (not held in 2020). These two events are considered their “open house” and it is a great time to meet other wine-lovers, those in the industry, key Krug employees and try current release wines paired with food and cheese.

Charles Krug hosts Blue Note Napa (live jazz concerts) in the summers in front of the hospitality center. Blue Note Napa is a live music jazz club and restaurant based in the Napa Valley Opera House in the city of Napa. Musicians who have performed at Blue Note Napa at Charles Krug have included Snoop Dog, the Pacific Mambo Orchestra and Viceroy among many others.

And beginning in 2020, Charles Krug began embracing a diversity of virtually hosted events – allowing the winery to reach numerous fans of their wines along with introducing their story and wines to new customers.

Weddings Charles Krug is one of the few wineries in the valley that can legally host weddings. Their wedding package includes the use of the historic Carriage House (built in 1881 by Charles Krug for his wife Carolina to house her horses), the Guest House and Great Lawn. The Carriage House has been beautifully restored with plenty of space on the lower floor and a grand ballroom on the upper floor.

Culinary Garden Wondering about the (when planted) impressive 3-acre garden on the left as you drive in the driveway? The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) farms this vegetable and herb garden – conveniently located almost across from their St. Helena campus. Produce from the garden is sold to select local restaurants and the garden is also used for the CIA’s Farm to Table classes.

Train Tracks/Wine Train Train tracks used to run all the way to Calistoga ending in approximately the location of what is now the the Cal Mart parking lot. A train station called Larkmead was located near the current location of Larkmead Winery. The Napa Wine Train uses the tracks today – with their northernmost stop on the Charles Krug property directly on the east side of the tasting room. The tracks were unfortunately and shortsightedly removed in the 1970s from Deer Park Road north – although apparently a right of way still exists, and the tracks could potentially be reinstalled.

The tracks still run behind (east) of the winery and fall into complete disarray just north of the winery – the final piece of northernmost rail from this historic track still exists on the Charles Krug property a few feet before Deer Park Road – well hidden by trees. The train station at Charles Krug Winery was first built in 1880.

CK Mondavi This is another brand of wines owned by Peter Jr. and Marc and their families. The genesis of this brand dates all the way back to 1946; the Mondavis were suffering financial hardships at that time and decided to create a separate lower end, lower priced jug wine to help sustain their operations. The focus is still on larger production wines at a lower price point. Production is sizable and remarkably these wines are still produced on site at Charles Krug Winery.

And other brands under their ownership include Flatop Hills, Fortissimo, and Purple Heart (wines created with proceeds donated to the Purple Heart Foundation – supporting military personnel and their families). For more information, visit: www.ckmondavi.com

In 2023 five of matriarch Rosa Mondavi’s great-granddaughters (Giovanna, Riana, Lia, Angelina and Alycia) launched a brand called Aviana (part of CK Mondavi). Their portfolio is focused on international vineyards with their inaugural release showcasing wines from Portugal, Spain and France.

Krug also maintains excellent national distribution with their wine shipped to all 50 states. And some of their wines are produced for the export market – labeled as Napa Vista. For more information, to schedule a visit to this historic and storied property, or to join one of their wine clubs, visit: www.charleskrug.com

December 23, 2013 at 3:34 pm

I am looking for where I can purchase the following.

Charles Krug XII Zifandel Port Napa Valley – Limited Release.

December 23, 2013 at 6:23 pm

Valerie – have you tried calling the winery directly?

May 26, 2020 at 6:29 pm

Louis Stralla is buried in Toquerville Utah.

January 23, 2021 at 11:38 pm

Hello I was wondering if they sell the wine barrels . I have one that has their logo on it and would love another one . It has Charles Krung and . mondavi family on it .

April 15, 2021 at 8:01 pm

Christina – I would reach out to the winery directly – you never know, they might have an extra one or two.

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