BY FRAN ENDICOTT MILLER

Handwritten Wines' newly inaugurated Yountville tasting room is the perfect place to sample each of their outstanding varietals. Founded in 2009 by vintner families, Handwritten Wines crafts evocative Napa Valley District Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and a Signature Blend. Total annual production is 2,000 cases; each of their wines is sourced from heralded hillside and mountain vineyards of up to two acres. If Napa travel is not in the cards, fret not. Handwritten also offers outstanding virtual tastings, delivering the wines, and the experts, directly to you.

Known within the wine and culinary world as ‘the Rolls-Royce of Virtual Tastings,’ Handwritten’s ‘Seven Culinary Wonders’ tasting is an exclusive, innovative experience inspired by the Seven Wonders of the World. This year-long series of virtual events is an epic culinary journey that includes some of the world’s most treasured delicacies. The experiences are curated in partnership with iconic food purveyors and offer an opportunity to experience these delicacies via a series of highly curated events delivered to your doorstep. (Handwritten also provides the option to experience the tastings in person at their Yountville tasting room.)

The Seven Culinary Wonders Tasting includes:

• Wagyu Beef & 2016 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
• Hog Island ‘Sweetwater’ extra-small oysters & 2020 Handwritten ‘The Author’ Sauvignon Blanc
• Peregrino Paella, Fermin Jamon Iberico & 2013 Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon 
• D’Artagnan Foie Gras & 2011 Late Harvest Chardonnay
• Lobster Anywhere & 2020 Carneros Chardonnay
• Urbani fresh white truffles & 2009 “Three Words” Blend
• California Caviar Company Caviar & Blanc de Noir Champagne

Participants are guided by the experts that source the ingredients, and master chefs who describe how best to prepare them and how to enjoy them with Handwritten wines. For example, the Oyster event is co-hosted by an oyster expert and Handwritten’s in-house sommelier. The live event includes a deep dive into all things oysters, a tutorial on how to shuck oysters, recipes for mignonette and barbequed oysters as well as some fun entertainment. 

Additional Handwritten in-house tasting experiences include:

Short Story Tasting

• Three wines –  You choose (by reservation) or they select (for walk-in)
• White Truffle Chips
• $40 per person – waived with a bottle purchase per person tasting

Classic Tasting

• Five wines pre-poured – 1 White, 1 Pinot Noir, 3 Cabernet Sauvignon 
• White Truffle Chips and Cheese/Buttery Rosettes
• $60 per person – waived with $100 in wine purchase per person
• Reservation – advanced reservation preferred – 15-20 minutes set up time
• Walk – in: depends on availability and staffing (a reservation is always recommended)

• Five wines pre-poured – 1 White, 1 Pinot Noir, 3 Cabernet Sauvignon 
• White Truffle Chips and Cheese/Buttery Rosettes
• Jamon - freshly shaved off the leg - La Quercia
• P'tit Basque Cheese - sheep's milk - France
• 3 different artisan butters from around the world
• Fresh baked breads from Bouchon Bakery
• $95 per person – waived with $200 in wine purchase per person tasting
• Handwritten Circle Members – complimentary twice a year for 2 guests
• Reservation – need advance notice 24 hours preferred, same day, please call
• Walk – in: depends on availability and staffing (a reservation is highly recommended)

Wine by the Glass or Bottle:  

• A great option for walk-in guests and easiest and fastest to accommodate
• Prices range from $14 to $29 per glass
• Handwritten Members - $4 off a glass  

 The Handwritten Wines tasting room is located at 6494 Washington St. Yountville