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Andretti Winery is very popular in Napa Valley partly because of Mario Andretti, the famous Indy 500 racecar driver and largely because of their unique Italian style wine making process. Visiting the Andretti winery can be a fascinating experience right from the moment you drive up to the Italian villa winery to the moment you leave with over-bought bottles of wine. Apart from producing some of the classic wines of the Napa Valley, Andretti also boasts of one of the most panoramic tasting room. For those of you interested in knowing the background, Andretti Winery was established in the year 1996 and to this day it draws its inspiration from the distinguished career of its founder, Mario Andretti, the greatest race car driver of all times.  When Mario retired after nearly five decades of active car racing, a commemorative wine was produced in his honor during 1994. That event triggered a strong urge in Mario to start a winery. He teamed up with his former associate, Joseph E. Antonini, who as President, Chairman and CEO of Kmart, was one of Mario's major sponsors. When you stop at this winery they levy a token tasting fee of $10 that includes four different wine tastes. Andretti Winery is situated in the heart of Napa Valley on Oak Knoll and the surrounding grounds are extremely beautiful and provide an optic feast for all visitors. Bob Pepi is the chief wine maker and they produce 30,000 cases annually which are set to grow in the coming years. The vineyard is spread over40 acres Oak Knoll Estate - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pope Valley, 120 planted to: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Zinfandel. The winery is located south of Rutherford, 50 miles north of San Francisco, 10 miles north of the town of Napa and it is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm. The Napa Series wine is crafted totally from Syrah estate grown grapes and they are invariably in deep colors, almost opaque with hues of red and purple. A beautiful blend of blueberry, violets, clover and black plum lend density and smoothness to the wine. This exceptional grade of wine includes an array of popular, food-friendly varietals that will satisfy even the most discriminating palate. The Montona Series wine is considered as a perfect after dinner wine and comes in elegantly designed bottles. The dark garnet red color is filled with aromas of dried figs, dates, dark plum with sprinkling of cinnamon. Layered with silky chocolate and slight nutty characters this wine is wholesome and provides delightful taste. Selection Series wine is a harmonious blend of citrus, spice and vanilla and the pleasant flavors continue with hints of green apple, fresh pear with a creamy texture.  Named after Mario Andretti's childhood home of Montona, Italy, the ultra-premium Montona Reserve wines are crafted exclusively from estate-grown grapes and other stellar Napa Valley fruit. Today, Montona is part of Croatia and is now called Motovun. It hosts a film festival each year and still attracts tourists from all over the world who are drawn to its architectural and cultural splendor and internationally-acclaimed truffles. The ultra-premium Montona wines include an estate Chardonnay, an estate Merlot, and a reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Because of their restricted production, these wines are made available for sale only to their wine club members and to the visitors who come to their wine tasting room. The Selection Series is inspired by the Italian philosophy at Andretti Winery that wine should be enjoyed daily with meals.The producers traveled beyond the Napa Valley to Sonoma and the North Coast for sourcing the grapes for these fine wines. |
