Mare here: The third winery we visited was Ballentine Vineyards. It has been voted the best boutique winery twice in recent years. The owners, Betty and Van, were high school sweethearts and have been married 62 years. They are now 88 and 85 years old. The land for their vineyards was a gift from Van's father when they got married. The 110 acre property has three vineyards and is now worth $250-$500 million per acre. Betty still keeps the books and Van still helps with the farming. Van's staff say that if he has clean jeans on then he has been to town.
At this winery we tasted a 2013 Chenin Blanc, 2012 Old Vine Zinfandel, 2012 Merlot, 2011 Petite Sirah, and a 2013 Malvasia Bianca (a slightly sweet white sparkling wine)
. We also sampled a very nice 2006 Zinfandel Port.
Before we left, Army showed us how they use the leftover grape peelings by drying them and spreading them back over the vineyard for ground cover and to help replenish the nutrients in the soil.
Forgot to mention earlier that when we got back on the shuttle before the second winery, Army had prepared a delicious cheese and cracker tray for us to pass around and indulge in as we rode to the next stop. The tray almost didn't make it past Deb and TJ! The cheeses were goat cheese, white cheddar, Gorgonzola and bleu.
One more winery to go!
Stop #3 - Ballentine Vineyards, St Helena
Friday, September 25, 2015
Saint Helena, California, United States
Other Entries
-
1It's Getting Close!
Sep 187 days priorHouston, United Statesphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 2 -
2Only 3 More Days!!!!
Sep 214 days priorHouston, United Statesphoto_camera1videocam 0comment 3 -
3We're On Our Way!
Sep 241 day priorHouston, United Statesphoto_camera1videocam 0comment 1 -
4And "They" Say Houston's Traffic is Bad?
Sep 241 day priorSan Francisco, United Statesphoto_camera1videocam 0comment 2 -
5Settling In and Winding Down
Sep 241 day priorYountville, United Statesphoto_camera5videocam 0comment 0 -
6Oh Lucy!!!!
Sep 241 day priorYountville, United Statesphoto_camera10videocam 0comment 4 -
7It's a Wino Kinda Day!
Sep 241 day priorYountville, United Statesphoto_camera6videocam 0comment 4 -
8Stop #1 - Cairdean Vineyards, St Helena
Sep 25earlier that daySaint Helena, United Statesphoto_camera4videocam 0comment 1 -
9Stop #2 - Tedeschi Winery, Calistoga
Sep 25earlier that dayCalistoga, United Statesphoto_camera14videocam 0comment 1 -
10Stop #3 - Ballentine Vineyards, St Helena
Sep 25Saint Helena, United Statesphoto_camera2videocam 0comment 1 -
11Stop #4 - Rutherford Ranch Winery, Rutherford
Sep 25later that dayRutherford, United Statesphoto_camera5videocam 0comment 0 -
12Redd Wood
Sep 25later that dayYountville, United Statesphoto_camera1videocam 0comment 0 -
13How to Shop Like a Boss!
Sep 261 day laterYountville, United Statesphoto_camera15videocam 0comment 6 -
14Say Aaahhh to the Spa!
Sep 272 days laterYountville, United Statesphoto_camera21videocam 0comment 0 -
15Yountville, You were Wonderful!
Sep 283 days laterYountville, United Statesphoto_camera3videocam 0comment 0 -
16Goodbye is Always Hard
Sep 283 days laterSan Francisco, United Statesphoto_camera6videocam 0comment 0 -
17Home Sweet Home!
Sep 283 days laterHouston, United Statesphoto_camera0videocam 0comment 2 -
18Lagniappe - Yountville Art Walk
Sep 305 days laterHouston, United Statesphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 0 -
19Notes
Oct 0510 days laterHouston, United Statesphoto_camera1videocam 0comment 2
Comments

2025-02-08
Comment code: Ask author if the code is blank
tuckerhoneymoon
2015-09-29
That land value is way too high. Maybe that much for the whole 110 acres.