There’s a lot of high end Napa Valley estates that I’ve never had any experience with, but Duckhorn doesn’t fall into that category. Founded by a banker, Dan Duckhorn in 1978, Duckhorn released both Cabernet as well as Merlot in their first vintage. The focus of the winery has proceeded to be Merlot over the ensuing years and their Merlot is considered to be among the best expressions in all of California.

More recently Duckhorn has branced off into other growing regions, like the Anderson Valley where the estate has opened Goldeneye Vineyards which has become the highest end (perhaps) grower of Pinot Noir in the region.

There’s a lot to like here and if you were going to put together a wine gift from a variety of regions, you could easily do it from a variety of Duckhorn properties around wine country in California.