Exquisite Wines, Exclusive Getaway: An Afternoon At Sinegal Estate
Tucked away at the base of the Mayacamas Range is a private paradise nestled among the oak groves and vineyards of Napa County: St. Helena’s historic gem, Sinegal Estate. The estate’s rich terroir grows some of the finest grapes in the valley, while its botanical gardens, placid lake, and shady oak groves offer peace and solitude. It is a place of serenity, luxury, and escape.
After so much time indoors in recent months, this may sound like a quarantine-induced dream. But David Sinegal, owner of Sinegal Estate and caretaker of one of Napa Valley’s most treasured wineries, assures you otherwise. When building the winery, Sinegal intentionally created a place for visitors to spend an afternoon outdoors, surrounded by natural beauty, sipping the latest Sinegal varietal, all in the comfort of their own private experience.
“We’ve been practicing social distancing since we opened,” smiles Sinegal. “Our entire estate is designed with privacy and distance in mind, while still offering the vine-to-glass luxury experience one expects from a top-flight Napa winery.”
As the seasons move forward, so too does Sinegal Estate. The indoor and outdoor tasting venues at Sinegal Estate are open and available by appointment. As other Bay Area communities re-open, Sinegal Estate will be a coveted destination. Spread across 30 pristine acres with no more than two dozen people on-site daily, Sinegal Estate is the very definition of secluded.
Picture this. The private guest entrance to Sinegal is set three-quarters of a mile off Highway 29—convenient, but far enough to be a world away. Upon arrival, the gate opens, welcoming only you and your companions inside. As you follow an oak-lined road surrounded by acres of Cabernet Sauvignon vines, you feel connected to nature in a way you realize you’ve missed. There’s a sense of shared ownership here; for the next few hours Sinegal Estate is yours.
Cross a bucolic wooden bridge that spans one of the many brooks on the property and arrive at the tasting lounge with views of the family's 1881 Victorian estate house in the distance. You step out and take it in. You’re surrounded by vineyards and botanical gardens filled with flowering lavender and ginkgo trees. An olive grove lies to one side, adding to the timeless, magical air of the grounds. Past the house is the tasting lounge, a mid-century modern construction remarkable in its aesthetic detail, from the cottonwood terrace to a polished concrete façade that houses Sinegal Estate’s insignia: a lone key, said to unlock the original farmhouse. It’s obvious to anyone who visits Sinegal: this is a special place. And today, it’s yours.
SINEGAL ESTATE
JUNE 2020
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2125 Inglewood Ave.
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“We’re passionate in everything we do,” says David Sinegal. “It’s not enough to make outstanding wine. We’re also stewards of this magical place. Our outdoor spaces celebrate our partnership with the land.” This commitment comes across in every aspect of Sinegal Estate. The vineyards are organically farmed and all winery operations are certified Napa Valley Green from vine to glass. Sustainability and privacy were important to Sinegal, who lives here with his family.
Outside the tasting lounge, you’re greeted at a safe distance by one of Sinegal Estate’s Wine Ambassadors. More than just your expert guide to the wines they help produce, the Wine Ambassadors are here to make sure your visit to the Estate is a private, peaceful experience. This was David Sinegal’s idea of wine tasting from the vineyard’s inception, inspired by the working vineyard farm-to-table spirit of his beloved Bordeaux.
Unlike many open-to-the-public tasting rooms that dot the valley, Sinegal’s by-appointment-only tastings include much more than just wine. Says Sinegal, “My big vision was to create a luxury experience where the product is just one part.”
One-on-one attention from your Wine Ambassador is yours from start to finish. As you arrive, they will greet you with a glass of bubbling champagne, a nod to David Sinegal’s belief that drinking wine is a celebration of life. As you taste wines, you and your guests will have the space to yourself.
The Wine Ambassador is ever-present, a safe distance away, to curate your experience and answer any questions you may have about the making of the wines or history of Sinegal Estate. He will also show you around the rest of the private grounds. You’ll get to feel the terroir and take in the smells of Napa in summertime, the cut grass, wet stone, live oak. The grounds are so spacious, you can visit multiple times and still discover new places to unwind. The two-acre lake with rowboats surrounded by woodland. The pergola perched on the hill. The white gazebo where undoubtedly someone got engaged. The pool, outdoor pizza oven, and lake-side bocce court. Each area possesses hosting capabilities while still maintaining the feeling that it was put here just for you, in this moment, far away from the world.
David Sinegal’s revolutionary idea is paying off. Writing for Bloomberg, Elin McCoy raved that Sinegal Estate is “knockout gorgeous” and that the winery has true staying power. “[Sinegal’s wine] is more than a luxury Cabernet invented out of branding and marketing concepts. It’s rooted in a special vineyard and terroir with a fine-wine history behind it.” Sinegal entrusted master winemaker Ryan Knoth, who studied under some of the greatest wine producers in the world, to craft elegant and distinct wines that both please the palate and honor this historic estate.
Getting back to normal, staying safe while having a new experience, feeling like yourself again—while these sound like platitudes these days, there’s some elusive truth hidden within. Getting back to normal means doing the things you love to do. Staying safe while having a new experience means getting out of your routine and trusting the experts to curate a safe, exclusive experience. Feeling like yourself again is the easiest one of all. As you sip a cool, stone-y Sauvignon Blanc or revel in the big mouth-feel of Sinegal’s signature Cabernet, surrounded by the idyllic Napa countryside at one of the most beautiful, coveted estates in all the world, you’ll realize you just needed to be reminded what taking a moment for yourself can do. For more details on how the Sinegal team is keeping you safe and themselves, click here.
To enhance your experience and to gain access to member-only wines and experiences, consider the many benefits that come with a Sinegal Estate Wine Club membership. With four membership levels, there are offerings to suit all desires.
Don’t worry, if you can’t make the trek to Napa Valley, you can still enjoy the offerings of Sinegal Estate from the comfort of your home. Sinegal Estate is currently offering the Sinegal Sampler Experience which includes a trio of wine delivered right to your doorstep and a private, virtual tasting at your convenience. You will be transported to wine country from the convenience of your own home. Details and more at sinegalestate.com.
What are you waiting for? Schedule your visit today and come celebrate the #NVSpirit as the wineries and vineyards welcome everyone back to Napa Valley.