Hands down the Conn Creek Winery offers one of the very best "hands-on" Napa Valley wine experiences in the country. If you are looking for a way to get your head around the most renowned Napa Valley AVAs (American Viticultural Areas), whether it's a genuine feel for the complexity of Carneros or the rich, intensity of the Stags Leap District or perhaps you just need a general lay of the land, then Conn Creek's AVA Barrel Blending Seminar should be a top stop on your Napa Valley wine route.

With easy access off of the Silverado Trail, the Conn Creek Winery is home to Anthology, a striking red wine ambassador created from some of Napa's most accomplished AVAs. Conn Creek wines revel in spotlighting the variety of soils and microclimates that make Napa one of the world's most distinct winegrowing regions. From showcasing limited production Cabs crafted from specific sub-appellations to the Napa Valley Series that ushers in a lineup of Bordeaux varietals intended to demonstrate the dynamic diversity of the Valley, Conn Creek wines bring consumers a rare combination of elegance and education.

Conn Creek AVA Room Barrel Blending Experience

Designed to introduce Napa newbies to the wide world of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and engage long-time enthusiasts to the dirt-driven details of the region's most celebrated sub-appellations, the Conn Creek Barrel Blending Experience allows guests the opportunity to be their own winemaker.

The Blending Session: The Conn Creek blending experience begins with a top-notch overview of the Napa Valley AVAs, then an educational barrel tasting of 15 Cabs (broken out by style: soft, supple, complex, rich or bold) and four other Bordeaux varietals: Merlot, Cab Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, followed by easy-going directions for blending and quick tips for making sure your blend stays on target for your palate preference, next you have the remarkable opportunity to bottle your best blend and create your own wine label.

The blending session takes about two hours from start to finish, it is fun, friendly and incredibly educational. Whether you blend with a group or go solo, you are sure to come away with a profound understanding of why the Napa Valley is home to world class Cabernet Sauvignon. Getting a glimpse of the very heart of the valley's heralded growing regions in a side-by-side comparison tasting sets a unique reference point for enjoying and evaluating new Napa wineries along the way. The blending seminar runs twice daily, 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. (except for Wednesdays) and the current cost for the two hour blending course is $95. While walk-ins may be accommodated it's typically best to make an appointment.

Beyond Blending, Check out Conn Creek's Tasting Bar

Wines to Try:

Conn Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2012 ($18) - Loads of lemon and citrus zest, with full on grapefruit aromas, delicious green apple and a second showing of grapefruit all wrapped up in mouth-watering acidity on the palate. A perfect pairing partner for summer salads, goat cheese, poultry picks, oysters or simply sipped solo.

Conn Creek Cabernet Sauvignon  2010 ($20) - A heady blend of bold aromatics including mocha notes, dark berry and a dash of cedar. On the palate expect big flavors, a second showing of rich, dark fruit, mainly plum and blackberry woven together with dark chocolate and a decent dose of vanilla on the finish. The tannins are well integrated and the overall balance remains remarkable.

Conn Creek Anthology 2010 ($52) - Anthology boasts grapes from over ten of Napa's prestigious AVAs. This is a fairly full-bodied red with plenty of fruit - cherry, blackberry and plum sprinkled with warm spice and subtle expressions of espresso, all held together by solid structure and ending with a full throttle finish.

Whether you are merely looking to line up tasting tours for your next Napa trip or would like to go on an educational wine adventure to experience the famous Napa growing regions side-by-side, Conn Creek promises to make your next trip to Napa more than memorable.

Conn Creek Winery Contact Information

Website:www.conncreek.com

Tasting Room Hours: Sunday-Friday 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Winery Address: 8711 Silverado Trail, St. Helena, CA 94574

Phone: 1.800.793.7960

Email: info@conncreek.com