Mondavis, Sebastianis, and Gallos are all recognized figures in the Northern California wine region. But how many of you have heard of a fourth rising and acclaimed name—Castellucci?
Known for his hospitality, Antonio Castellucci has risen in the ranks. From a stock boy at a beautiful English clothing store to real estate agent, Antonio Castellucci has come a long way since the 1960s. Migrated from Calabria, to Buenos Aires and then San Francisco, Castellucci now resides in the beautiful Belvedere area. As a young man, as his passion in real estate grew, he discovered the upper Napa Valley area and has since then acquired many properties, a bed and breakfast—The Ink House Napa Valley—as well as wineries and vineyards in St. Helena.
Antonio Castellucci’s passion for wine was sparked from the first 22 years of his life living in Italy and Argentina. He recalls his father making wine in his basement in Italy and offering him wine at a young age. When he first came across Napa Valley in the 1980s, he instantly fell in love. He ended up purchasing a home with two acres in Carneros and planting Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. In 1992, he began to make wine, just as his father once did, for his family and friends. As a guest of The Ink House Napa Valley, I had the exclusive opportunity to indulge in these one-of-a-kind Castellucci wines. For more on my stay at The Ink House, see my article at the bottom of this page.
We enjoyed our flight in the comforts of The Ink House’s backyard. Under the wooden pergola wrapped with vines, we enjoyed our Castellucci wine flight and watched the sunset behind the vineyards across from us. Our flight consisted of four Castellucci wines. Castellucci’s properties mainly consist of reds so three of our four wines were red.
We started off with the 2012 St. Helena Merlot. The grapes were hand-picked from their single vineyard site on Victoria Lane and managed by renowned Napa Valley winemaker Jac Cole. Cherries and floral notes are the primary basis of this wine, with lingering notes of chocolate, smoke, and coffee beans. The wine was 15% new French Oak and 85% once and twice used French Oak barrels giving it an intense oaky taste.
The second flight was the 2012 Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. The high elevation of Spring Mountain means a cooler growing region which creates complex, powerful yet elegant wine. Berry pie, toasted nuts, tobacco leaf, white floral notes and white pepper grace this wine. Chocolate covered cherries finish off the wine effortlessly. The wine is 50% French Oak and 50% used French Oak barrels.
How does elevation impact wine?
Cooler regions mean a longer growing season, allowing for grapes to ripen slowly and evenly, often at lower alcohol percentages.
The third flight was the 2013 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a classic Napa Valley Cab. A mix of sweet spices, espresso, and dark chocolate make for the quintessential Napa Valley wine. The tannins give the wine a dry feel but are complemented by a soft finish—just how I like my reds. This was my favorite by far.
Our last flight was the first white Castellucci wine. Since the grapes needed to make white wine were not in their repertoire, Castellucci wines reached out to Clarksburg in Yolo County to source their Chenin Blanc. The 2016 Lucia had to be my favorite white wine in all of Napa Valley. I am personally no longer a huge fan of white wine, I only drink it on occasion. But after having the 2016 Lucia upon arrival at The Ink House, I have changed my opinion on the matter.
The 2016 Lucia is 100% varietal Chenin Blanc. It looks almost yellow in the glass and the aromas are floral, almost like pineapple. It’s soft, but lively with it’s citrus-like acidity. With hints of melon, mandarin, and white pear, this creamy Castellucci wine is the perfect and refreshing beverage for a hot summers day.
Castellucci wines are exclusive with approximately only 1000 cases made annually. You can taste the wine at certain events around Napa Valley, certain restaurants such as Charter Oak, and of course, at The Ink House.
The Ink House: You’ve Never Experienced Napa Valley Like This
One of Antonio Castellucci’s many accomplishments is acquiring and reconstructing The Ink House while maintaining it’s original structure. The Ink House is an old bed and breakfast where Elvis Presley once stayed. This luxury boutique that caters to your every need in the heart of St. Helena is a must for those seeking an intimate and luxurious stay in vibrant Napa Valley.
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