Like many of the second wave of building projects in the Bay Area, Ballentine Vineyards was originally planted and really settled, after the great earthquake of 1906.  Founder Libero Pocai had his home destroyed and reportedly was happy to have some extra space, as well of course, as the grape vines.

John Ballentine purchased the estate during Prohibition, in what amounts to one of the best far sighted purchases I’ve heard about in the wine industry.

One wine that I think deserves more attention is their Cabernet Franc, one of the few 100% varietal versions of the wine produced anywhere in Napa Valley.

Priced at $32, the Cabernet Franc is also an entry level look into winemaking in the valley and almost unbelievably, fits in with an inexpensive wine club program (you can’t say that about almost any other project in Napa).