Blankiet Estate

An estate vineyard called Paradise Hills climbs up the Eastern slope of a foothill overlooking Yountville. This sunny yet cool place is where Claude and Katherine Blankiet set up in 1996 in order to take advantage of the ideal wine grape growing conditions. Three volcanic knolls and alluvial swells make up this peaceful vineyard, allowing the viticulturists to divide the estate into 4 microclimates designed to bring out the best in their Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot varieties. The foothills have a long history of wine production: Old vine-stakes from Prohibition Era wine-makers attest to its allure.

You can make an appointment to tour this winery. There is a stone castello inspired by the Renaissance castles, complete with crenellated tower and arched windows, on the top of the hill that holds a stunning tasting room made perfect for private tastings. A large round table sits under stone arches and oil paintings. Before you get to this room, though, you will get a tour of the wine cellar and the charming vineyards. You will genuinely feel as though you are in Renaissance Italy, with spare olive trees, lilacs and well-trained bushes dotting the steep hillsides. There is even a stream following the road up to the winery to add to the old-world charm. The Blankiets live on the estate and will take great pleasure in showing you their life’s work, so if you want to have the full winery experience, give them a call.

Here is a review of one of the Blankiet Estate’s wines from the wine advocate. From the review, you will get a feeling for the quality of the wines they produce,

“The 2013 Proprietary Red, which is 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, is another prodigious effort from Blankiet. Inky purple, with notes of lead pencil shavings, white chocolate, espresso bean, blackberry and cassis, the wine hits the palate with a crescendo of blue and black fruits, a touch of toast, licorice and foresty notes. Stunningly rich, full-bodied and impressive, this wine will age for at least 30 more years. It is hard to believe that Claude Blankiet’s first vintage was 1999. Of course, this is a fabulous vineyard that also looks marvelous from the famous Route 29. This is pure Yountville AVA on the eastern slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains, just above the valley floor vineyard of Christian Moueix’s Dominus. Blankiet’s blends are made by Denis Malbec, who also works not too far away as the consultant for Kapcsandy. These wines often need time in bottle to show their character, and I thought the 2012s performed even better than they did from barrel. The 2013s look incredible as well. These may be Blankiet’s two greatest vintages to date, even eclipsing the 2001s and 2002s”

Address: 2358 California Dr, Yountville

Phone: (707) 963-2001

Tasting Room Hours: Tuesday through Saturday by appointment

Tasting Fee: $75 for non-members, complimentary to mailing list members