You’ll hear the term “library wines” used often in wine country. But what are they? Winemakers will often hold on to a collection of old vintages in a wine library so to speak. Winemakers will go back and taste past vintages to see how they’re aging or how the vineyard is showing. Since they’ve been tucked away and saved, you can almost guarantee that these are some special bottles of wine. Interested in your own library tasting? Here are some must stops to taste library wines in St. Helena.

Library Wines

Long Meadow Ranch

LMR produces elegant, balanced wines, which are made to complement food, that express authentic varietal character and the terroir of their distinctive properties by employing diversified, sustainable, and organic farming methods. LMR’s Mayacamas Estate was revitalized in 1989 according to the Hall family vision of crafting world-class wines using sustainable, organic farming practices. Today they grow 16 acres of vineyards in the Mayacamas Mountains to produce estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc.

On their Mayacamas Estate experience explore exquisite mountain vineyards and wine caves at the Estate, nestled high above Napa Valley, where you will have the opportunity to consider their limited-production collection of estate-grown wines.

This unique experience includes transportation to the Estate, house-cured charcuterie, cheese, and olives and a tasting of their Prato Lungo Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Departs Farmstead daily starting at 10 AM.

Please allow two hours for this experience.

$75 per person.

Trinchero

Trinchero Napa Valley

Hundreds of small steps are taken every day to ensure Trinchero creates truly unique wines, handcrafted with care and integrity. They focus on small-lot winemaking, with unwavering attention to detail, to yield luxury wines that embody quality and dedication to the craft. Winemaker Mario Monticelli guides each wine every step of the way.

At the “Time In A Bottle Tasting Experience” sample the past, present and future of two of their Single Vineyard wines in this very special tasting flight. This unique opportunity allows guests to sample future vintages, current releases, and library vintages of the same two wines. In addition to experiencing how these wine progress and age from months in the barrel to years in the bottle, this tasting experience features one of Trinchero’s valley-floor vineyards alongside one of their mountain vineyards for terroir comparison. You will sample these wines in their newest tasting station in the Legacy Lounge, complete with a cheese and charcuterie plate.

$75/per person