A trip to Napa Valley Diamond Mountain by the serious wine enthusiast or collector would not be complete without a visit to the legendary Diamond Creek Vineyards. Founded in 1968 by the late Al Brounstein, a visionary pioneer who defied conventions of the time by planting Bordeaux varietals on secluded Diamond Mountain in the Mayacamas Range at the north remote end of Napa Valley.
Diamond Creek is a case study in terroir - each of its four vineyards with its own micro-climate, soil type and geography that are revealed in their single vineyard designated Cabernet Sauvignon wines - named for their four distinctly different origination vineyards. The vineyards of Diamond Creek are Gravelly Meadow (5 acres - center left), Red Rock Terrace (7 acres front), Volcanic Hill (8 acres opposite), and Lake (¾ acre), plus Petit Verdot (1 acre) to the left outside of frame. The vineyards as pictured below, are amazingly co-located close to each other yet have distinctive individual characteristics that are revealed in their wines.
The chateau and tasting room offer a magnificent setting and view of the vineyards on the slope and meadow below and of the opposing hillside.
Diamond Creek offers an elegant tasting experience showcasing their wines harmonized by Diamond Creek cabernet sauvignon reduction with petit beef tenderloin and artisanal cheeses.
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| Diamond Creek dinner tasting. Thomas Arvid painting above fireplace in background. (See below) |
The limited production highly allocated wines amazingly reflect the character of their source site. Boots Brownstein carries on the Diamond Creek tradition.
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| Our tasting group with 'Boot's' Brownstein |
Diamond Creek Wines Tasted -
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| Diamond Creek Tasting Flight |
Wines tasted -
- Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
- Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
- Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
- Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
What a wonderful opportunity to do a horizontal tasting of Diamond Creek vineyard select wines. There really is unique character revealed in each wine. We each had our favorite - all were spectacular.
Diamond Creek Art -
Another special treat of visiting the winery is to see the legend of Al Brownstein living on in the display of his original artwork (shown below) that was used in the Diamond Creek Thirtieth Anniversary commemorative labels for the 2002 vintage vineyard select cabernet sauvignons.
Diamond Creek wine painting montage by Thomas Arvid graces the fireplace in the tasting room.
More on Thomas Arvid art.
Special wines for special occasions -
We served a horizontal selection of each Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon from magnums at the wedding of our son Ryan to Michelle Diamond! Several magnums were birth year vintages.
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| Diamond Creek horizontal magnum tasting including birth year vintages served at Ryan and Michelle's wedding. |
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| Gravelly Meadow Cabernet Sauvignon 1982 Double Magnum served by Connelly's at Will and Kate's wedding. |
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| Gala Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon dinner tasting - Diamond Creek, Dunn, and Dominus |
And yes, there is the actual Diamond Creek. Spectacular settings and views on the vineyard grounds.
Other vineyard views .....
Diamond Creek Lake Vineyard
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| Diamond Creek Lake Vineyard |
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| Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace |
More Diamond Creek Winery Pics on Rick's UnWindWine.com.
Also see other Diamond Mountain producer Constant Vineyards and Winery blog.
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