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42 reviews for Salvestrin
42 reviews in English
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Review from Brian A.
Seattle, WA
1/28/2012
Savestrin was our favorite tasting experience in Napa. We arrived in the tasting room without a reservation and was greeted by Luke. Luke was awesome...He explained the history of this family-run winery. The family has passed it down through 3 generation of farmers...and the last son became a winemaker. The tasting room overlooks the property and it is simply beautiful. We were the only people in the tasting room at the time and made for a very intimate experience....not the crazy tourists that fill many of the tasting rooms throughout the valley.
Did I mention Luke was awesome? He provided updates to the NFL games (it was the Sunday the 49ers played the Giants in the NFC Championship game). He also recommend two other winerys that we would not have found without his recommendation.
Make Savestrin one of your first stops...and tell Luke hello!
Two tasting fees were waived with $50 in wine purchased. -
Review from David C.
El Dorado Hills, CA
12/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
When you think of Napa wineries most people think of Mondavi, BV, Sterling, Beringer, Stag's Leap, V.Sattui, Coppola. All are great places to visit but they are also very crowded and not very intimate. (Cakebread and Silver Oak are also two of my favorites, not super busy since it's by appointment only.)
My wife and I visited a hidden Napa gem: Salvestrin Estate in St. Helena because it had a 5 star Yelp rating. When we drove up to the winery, it was not what we expected, very quaint, much smaller in size than we used to but very intimate and cozy. We walked up the flight of stairs to the tasting room where we were greeted by Luke. (Highly recommended to make a reservation)
Our wine tasting experience with Luke is exactly how I think it should be: very personable, comfortable, social, and fun. I literally felt like we were drinking wine in my living room while listening to good music. I also cannot think of the last time I had a tasting flight where each tasting was superb. Each had excellent appearance, aroma, and wonderful extended finish! Soft, smooth, delicate, well-balanced, perfect harmony!
1. 2010 Estate Sauvignon Blanc
2. 2009 Estate Retaggio (Sangiovese Blend)
3. 2007 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
The wine tasting was $15 for the flight which Luke waived when be bought a bottle of the Retaggio and Cabernet Sauvignon. (I'm not a white wine drinker but almost converted when I tried their Sauvignon Blanc.)
Try something different on your next visit to Napa and get a reservation at Salvestrin.
ENJOY! -
Review from Tyler S.
12/22/2011
Thank you for becoming my new favorite winery, Salvestrin!
This past crush season, I had the opportunity to stumble upon this quaint operation! We had some time in between winery appointments and our driver thought we would appreciate the wines at Salvestrin, so he called and got us in! I am very appreciative and glad that he did!
We sampled the wines that they were pouring and they were all AMAZING!!! So much so, that Luke talked us into joining the wine club for their 3D Cabernet Sauvignon (which is only available for wine club members).
We recently opened up one of the 2009 3D Cabs that was sent to us - and OMG it was unbelievable! It was described to us as the Barry Bonds of cabernet sauvignons - and did this hit the nail on the head with that description! It couldn't have been any better and more spot on as to what we like in terms of a great wine! It was BIG and luscious - and had this finish that just stayed in your mouth FOOORRREEEVVVEERRR making you anxious and eager to take another sip!
If you get the opportunity to check out this winery, definitely don't hesitate to jump on the change. Their knowledge and talent shines through into making some of the best wine in the Napa Valley - and the friendliness and warm welcome you receive when arriving at their property is even more enjoyable. I can't wait to go back so I can relive the experience again and again! -
Review from Kate N.
San Francisco, CA
2/1/2012
What a small, quaint winery but we really enjoyed our experience when we came here a few months ago. It was beautiful out when we came so we got to sit outside at some picnic tables and taste their wine. It's 15$ for a taste of sb, an italian blend, and a cab. The sb was fantastic and the italian was something different for napa so kind of nice. It tasted great as well and went on the purchase list. The people there were so friendly and easy to talk to, it was almost like we made new friends! The winery is very small and intimate which I love, I am not into the Disneyland productions that are everywhere in Napa. Overall a good experience and a good pick if you want to try something off the beaten path and a little different. also, tasting fee is waived with purchase which is always nice.
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Review from David H.
San Francisco, CA
11/16/2011
This hidden gem of a winery was one of our best memories from this past weekend in Napa Valley.
We were fortunate enough to participate in an intimate dinner at the winery last Saturday night and sat with the winemaker and the owners, all of whom were incredibly warm, welcoming and fun!
We enjoyed tasting their wines and enjoyed them so thoroughly that the next day we went back and bought half a case. I'm sure we will be returning here again soon... -
Review from keith b.
Los Angeles, CA
11/21/2011
It is amazingly hard to find an under the radar winery these days in the Napa valley, and Salvestrin is just that. Their wines are exceptional and the people who work there are even better!
My wife loves their Sauvignon Blanc, and while she's note huge into reds yet, she really enjoys their entire selection.
All of their wines are fantastic, but you have to try their Petite Syrah and their 3D Cabernet Sauvignon.
Great people, exceptional wines and not overrun with people. Can it get any better? -
Review from Susana B.
Los Angeles, CA
6/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
I found this winery through Yelp as we were driving down the main street and feeling overwhelmed as to where to go for our first wine tasting.
So glad that made U turn and pulled into this small family owned winery. We felt a bit apprehensive when we parked as the place is small and we feared feeling a little too intimate since we had no idea how a wine tasting worked.
But we figured we should jus relax and head in to the cute facility up to the second floor. We were met by friendly staff and I can't recall her name but she is the lovely red head with the disarming smile.
She welcomed us and gave us the history of the winery and sarted serving us the white wine. It was crisp, refreshing and enjoyable.
We finally relaxed and enjoyed it, all four of the following reds to follow. She gave us a mini tour of the grounds (I was wearing heels and the ground was soft from the rain) and we went back up to finish the tasting.
They are a direct consumer winery so I feel that I am getting a great deal for their wine as I am sure that when you buy wine at a shop they mark it up at least 20% not to mention if you bought it a restaurant (65-70$% mark up).
We ended up taking six bottles with us and I see a future with their wine club.
I recommend this for a low key tasting for people that want to explore their palate and enjoy really good wine (I believe all of their wines were 90-97 pts of wine spectator) without feeling overwhelmed or uncomfortable.
Ah and thank you for the dinner recommendation at Bottega - it was another highlight of our trip. :) -
Review from Kelsey S.
San Jose, CA
10/6/2011
Awesome! My wine-loving parents were visiting, so of course we went up to St. Helena/Calistoga. It's a small winery, so I think they want you to make an appointment, but we didn't know at the time and they were more than accommodating. We had Jacob who was very friendly and knowledgeable about the winery and their wine. During our tour of the vineyard, we were even able to taste the grapes! They have a great patio area for tasting as well. Great experience!
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Review from Michelle W.
San Jose, CA
2/15/2011
Salvestrin was a lovely start to our wine country getaway for valentine's weekend. We were the only people at our 10am reservation so we were given full attention by them. It's a small, family owned winery that only produces about 3,500 cases a year and bottles bi-annually.
I loved our guide, who was amicable and really down to earth. The weather was perfect and we were seated at this adorable outdoor couch right next to the grape vines. We were also shown into the cellar and taught about the different machinery involved in the process. The information booklet contained a different recipe created by Susan Salvestrin to pair with each wine. We decided to go with the retaggio, which is a blend of 4 wines. I chose it because I love unique things and it also has a very sweet, consistent taste throughout the palette.
This winery also gave no pressure on us to purchase wines but waived the tasting fee if we did decide to purchase. The transaction was made through an ipad, which I thought was pretty cool.
Tip: there is a B&B on site where Susan herself cooks breakfast every morning! -
Review from John G.
2/12/2011
OMG! How have I been missing this place for so long. Had a friend recommend this gem and made reservations for tasting. Pretty nice old fashioned way they do the tasting. You sit at a table or some nice outdoor chairs. They bring you the wine and sit and chat with you about it and all kinds of other things.
We had Luke as our host, and he was truly great. Funny and very knowledgeable.
Business is family owned, and they take great price in their entire operation. A breath of fresh air from the other pretentious pretenders along Hwy. 29. This is the real deal.
The wine is really fabulous. Loved the Sauvignon Blanc. Tasty, crisp. The reds were also very, very good. Complex and rich with a great finish. Truly some of the best wines in Napa Valley.
Highly recommended! -
Review from Jamie W.
1/13/2011
I'd classify Salvestrin as a winery for people who know a little more than the average Joe about wine. There's no pretense here. No fancy sign or elaborate tasting room and no requisite wine country products for sale (thank God).
Bottom line: you'd basically have to have heard of Salvestrin in order to have sought them out. We made a reservation and made this our first stop upon entering the valley.
Once we figured out where the tasting room was we were met by a really nice, informative (and cute!) guy who poured us the four wines we ended up buying. The 3-D Cab was by far the best and will be a back of the cellar bottle until something celebratory comes up.
Pure and simple, Salvestrin does what it does best... crafting good wine.Listed in: Vino Country!
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Review from Faith D.
Pacific Grove, CA
9/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great outdoor atmosphere. A boutique vineyard with great wine. 3 bottles on the tasting menu, we were surprised with a bonus petite syrah. LOVED the cab Sauvignon! Tasting fee waived w/purchase of $50.
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Review from mike b.
Great Falls, VA
9/15/2011
This vineyard saved the day. Started the day at the castle up the road and left within 5 minutes. Ditched the disneyland vibe of the castle for the organic charming vibe of Salvestrin. Jakob was a fantastic tour guide. He greeted us as we exited our car and spent at least 30 minutes giving us a free tour. The patio where they serve the tastings is amazing. Great wine. A group of 4 of us bought 2 bottles and they waived the $15 per person tasting fee. Would go again.
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Review from Bailey Z.
8/2/2010 1 Check-in Here
Am I the only person who didn't think that this place was that great? Salvestrin was our second tasting on our trip and we were kindly greeted as soon as we parked our car. There's a bed and breakfast right next to the winery, which looked quaint. Compared to the other wineries we visited, this one definitely ranks as the smallest as it is family owned and operated. The only seating available was outside on the patio so we were suffering the wraith of the summer heat, but at least there was a nice breeze blowing in.
The tasting fee was higher than the other places we went to and the cost of the waived fee was set at $50 for a purchase of a bottle. One of the disappointments was the lack of the number of wines tasted because a few were sold out. I think we ended up tasting only three or four wines. This combined with the higher tasting fee (I think it was either $15 or $20), made for an average visit. Nobody from the group bought a bottle and we left pretty quickly after our tasting. But, I would like to say that service was great; the couple that came out to meet us were very nice and the invite-only lobster festival that they have every year sounded fun. -
Review from Brinda J.
4/12/2011
After our completely horrible experience at V. Sattui (go read my review!!), we had our appointment here. Cute little bed and breakfast, with nice chill vibe. Great wine. $15 for a tasting but since we were still flustered from our horrible experience, the lady comped us a tasting in hopes we would feel better. Now that's service! I'll definitely come back and try their wines again with a clearer head. And for all you cab lovers, the cab here is phenomenal!
Listed in: Whining about Wine!
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Review from Philip H.
Houston, TX
Updated - 9/20/2010
Came back to Salvestrin again on my most recent visit to CA and it was just as amazing as the first time. Our group sat outside at a table right next to the long rows of cab sauv grapes and enjoyed our tasting for a little over an hour.
The girl who works the tasting room is awesome, she knows a lot about the wines and was really laid back and friendly. There were 4 of us at the tasting and they waived all the tasting fees when my brother and his wife bought a bottle of cab. This used to be the norm for wineries, but a lot of places don't waive the fee anymore.
Also, the group next to us won a wine club contest to meet Rich Salvestrin and learn about the wines. They were apparently in a rush to go to Opus One so we were rewarded with the remaining portion of the petite syrah bottle opened for them. The cab here is really good, but their petite syrah is phenomenal and its not offered in the tasting and you can only get it through the wine club., which I would highly suggest because its a great wine and its produced in small quantities so the quality is always incredible.
I'll be coming back here for sure.Listed in: Wineries
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/22/2009
Salvestrin is the silver lining to the cloud of overtly-commercialized wineries in Napa. No… Read more »
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Review from Jennifer F.
Santa Clara, CA
This is a winery you could return to over and over. The wine is excellent, the atmosphere is beautiful, the staff was engaging and down to earth... the whole experience is fabulous.
We toured the winery in mid-October of this year. Not peak season obviously, but I was still thrilled when they were able to accommodate a last minute reservation for our group of three. I found Salvestrin solely from yelp reviews, but if I were a Robert Parker reader I'm sure I would have heard of them. Some of their wines are 90+ points, but $50 or less.
Tastings are conducted outside on a well appointed patio. Granted, if you visited the winery on one of the hottest days of the year, this might be unpleasant. If you come peak season when the weather is in the 70s to 80s and the sky is a golden orange, this is an absolutely lovely experience. We got comfy in the lounge chairs, made chatty banter with our host Luke and enjoyed the ambiance of the experience.
Our tasting included:
2009 Estate Sauvignon Blanc, $22
2007 Retaggio (Sangiovese, Merlot, Cab Sauv & Cab Franc Blend) $34
and, the 2006 & 2007 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, $52
We only visited two wineries this afternoon so our judgement was (unfortunately?) not clouded by hours of libation. We purchased a case of untasted Estate Petite Sirah, based on how much we enjoyed the other wines in Salvestrin's portfolio and Luke's no-pressure sales job. The Petite Sirah received 92(?) points from Robert Parker and considering how yummy the Retaggio was, we feel pretty dang good about the purchase. I'll update my review with tasting notes after we receive the wine! Scratch that, after we pick up the wine. There's no way I'm missing out on a trip to Salvestrin. -
Review from Caroline F.
San Francisco, CA
10/24/2011
We were driving down the main drag looking for our 3rd winery of the day and my handly Yelp app helped us once again locate a keeper! The reviews are spot-on...you sit outside and one of the servers (in our case, Scott) comes and just sits down with you, with his own glass, and chats. We tasted their 3 wines and they were AMAZING. The cabernet sauvignon which was nearly $50 was so good that I couldn't stop myself from buying two bottles. Although you only taste 3 wines, the serving size is large and you spend most of your time just sitting back on the nice patio furniture, conversing with Scott who is very knowledgeable and willing to share, and relaxing with the views of the vineyard. We came on a brilliantly sunny weekend in October so some of the other wineries were very crowded. It was so nice to come here, kick back, enjoy phenomenal wine, and not feel rushed. Scott really took the time to make a personal connection. This winery is one that I'm excited to bring other guests to in the future as well as return myself! It's a nice change of pace from others and the wine & service is incredible. Thanks Salvestrin & Scott for the wonderful time!
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Review from Charles S.
Palo Alto, CA
7/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great stop!
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Review from Konstanze W.
San Francisco, CA
6/28/2010 9 Check-ins Here
No question - 5 stars for this winery!
This winery is family-owned and is a MUST when you go up to Wine Country!
The wines (Italian style whites and reds) are yummy and you can either taste them in the cosy tasting room or you enjoy them on a gorgeous day sitting on the patio - nothing better then that!
Luke who does the tastings is fun, charming and pours generous glasses...and if you want to make him happy...sign up for a wine club so he hits his record!
One if the best places and hidden gems (which is good) in Napa!
I love to come back every time I am there! -
Review from Sunny R.
Los Gatos, CA
2/13/2010 1 Check-in Here
OK damn it! After going to 2 places with 5-star ratings on this site - this is a damn 5-star winery period. From their clean, distinct Sav Blanc, to their fantastic Retaggio, to the sophisticated and refined Cab - this is a great spot, and go figure - empty practically. V. Sattui is packed, and this place is sparse. :) Good that way.
But the staff was responsive, so relaxed, the stories, the varietals, just make this place a surprise turn off the bumper to bumper traffic.
Napa and most CA wines are so overly priced. Frequent France, Italy travelers marvel at this, but what can any of us do... but yelp!
But, I'm definitely going to join their club and buy their Sangiovese, Cabs... as gifts - excellent! -
Review from Brian R.
SOMA, San Francisco, CA
7/19/2010 10 Check-ins Here
I love these guys and I love their wine!
This hands down is my favorite place to go in Napa Valley. The winery is owned by a great family that has had the land in their family for 3 generations (I think I have that right!) and now Rich and Shannon are the owners and are wonderful people. Rich is a super down to earth guy and great to talk to.
The other people that worth there, Luke and Megan are also great people. Luke currently runs the wine room and is one of the most personable people I know. We've brought friends from out of town here and they all really enjoy his knowledge and passion and just plain fun!
As for the wines - All GREAT. I really enjoy their new 2009 Sav Blanc. Rivals the best in the valley. Also their Retaggio blend is a wonderful red for the price. I actually think this is about my favorite in their collection based on value. And finally they have a limited Petite Sirah that is amazing. This one requires you to buy into the club which is just a small commitment one time a year. Not a big deal but well worth it!
On the comment of their club - they have a few other benefits of joining. First you can stay at their Bed and Breakfast at a discounted rate. The B&B is located right on the winery and I hear the food is amazing! Finally you get an invite to the annual lobster feed which is just about as much fun as you can jam into an evening!
Go visit them. My favorite! -
Review from Katie C.
San Francisco, CA
4/13/2009
The Salvestrins are the nicest, coolest people and they just so happen to make really really great wine. You can tell that they have a lot of fun here and its a totally unpretentious environment [which I hear is becoming harder and harder to find in the valley].
The kids [ages 5, 10, 11] are constantly running around the vineyards and their grandparents live on property, too, so it makes for a very down home authentic family feel. Plus Rich Salvestrin is the owner/winemaker/farmer, so he's doing it all!
I can't wait to arrange my next Napa trip, for a must stop on our tour will definitely be the Salvestrin Winery!! -
Review from Rafa C.
Mar Vista, CA
8/20/2007
Salvestrin is a little winery (26 acres) that gets almost everything right. This third generation grape producer has two exceptional wines in their Cabernet Sauvignon and their amazing Retaggio which is a blended wine. They have wine tastings by appointment only and the tasting charge is waived if you purchase wines.
Unlike the mega-wineries, we spent about an hour with Shannon, one of the actual owners. You sit down in their tasting room and you get to know the history of the winery and the valley as well. You get to see the passion that they bring to wine making and how integral it is to their lives. I would highly recommend that Salvestrin be part of your St. Helena wine country itinerary! -
Review from Kim R.
San Diego, CA
4/2/2011
We had an incredible time at Salvestrin. We were greeted by Luke and he was very friendly and knowledgeable. He also gave us a tour of the vineyards and showed us the budding vines. We sat in the patio area because the weather was perfect! I usually prefer reds, but the Estate Sauvignon Blanc paired perfectly with the warm Spring day. I really liked that the tasting fee was waived with the purchase of $50. My boyfriend and I will definitely go back to Salvestrin!
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Review from Brit C.
San Francisco, CA
6/8/2009
Great place! A few of their wines were young, but I would definitely invest in a few promising bottles.
The young lady who helped us was a family friend of the winemaker. She was awesome. We stayed for over an hour tasting and chatting. When I mentioned my mom would be visiting from the east coast, she even offered to have a lunch table set up for us!
This is one of the best overall experiences I have had in the Valley in terms of customer service.
I will be back, and I may even join the wine club so I can stock up on a couple bottles of Sangiovese! Maybe I will have the chance to meet the Salvestrins next time. -
Review from Tony W.
Chandler, AZ
8/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
Found this winery on Yelp so stopped in about 30 minutes before they closed. I was told by the server that he did not want to open any new bottles and he gets in trouble if he is there at all past close time
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Review from erin j.
Foster City, CA
7/24/2011
What a GEM!!! I just returned from a weekend in the Wine Country and found my new favorite winery! Luke was our guide through the quaint location and we couldn't have been more pleased! We were able to relax on the comfortable outdoor furniture and enjoy the wonderful weather! Don't let the "reservations required" intimidate you. It was the BEST stop of our weekend!
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Review from Liz U.
New York, NY
2/4/2009
I first stumbled upon Salvestrin winery over three years ago on a ladies wine tasting weekend. We fell in love with the quaint tasting room and personal service. All of the wines we tasted were delicious and it made a purchasing decision tough, so we bought several different bottles! Salvestrin makes amazing wine, especially their Cabernet, in a small family setting (the family lives on-site and you can see their adorable home from the parking lot). I highly recommend including Salvestrin on every trip to the Napa Valley. You will never be disappointed!
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Review from Karen R.
American Canyon, CA
11/5/2008
How fun! Small, quaint and great wine. The lady gave us a quick but nice tour of the estate and we did a little barrel tasting. I highly recommend. They are small so make sure to make an appointment.
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Review from Jessica V.
San Francisco, CA
1/5/2009
I was just advising a visiting friend on where to go in the wine country and telling her that tourists go to Napa and locals go to St. Helena, Sonoma and Healdsburg. (I was also just watching the real housewives of Orange County pack for Napa and reminded of how true this statement is.) The must see place in St. Helena is Salvestrin. Seriously the nicest people you've ever met and I love that it is family owned and their cab is delish! The property is gorgeous and they have a fun barrel tasting room.
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Review from Erin G.
San Francisco, CA
9/15/2008
Since my parents moved up to the Napa Valley several years ago, we have made it something of a family pastime to try the many, many wineries up and down the valley. We hit the mass-produced labels first but quickly realized we didn't need a fancy tasting room to taste wine we can buy in a grocery store. We heard great things about Salvestrin, and since the first sip, it has become a clear favorite. So much so that it has prompted what you see here - my first Yelp review!
The winery has been in the Salvestrin family for generations so don't be surprised if you run into Rich and Shannon, the husband and wife owners/farmers/wine-makers, or their girls running around the property. The grandparents, retired from farming, run the bed and breakfast on the property. How cute is that? The Salvestrin's are small producers who have obviously have put their heart and soul into creating high quality wine starting from the ground up.
Make an appointment and (FYI on appointments: Many wineries are on agricultural land so they require appointments due to zoning rules in the valley) and note that the sign for their winery can be hard to see. Seriously, don't blink or you'll miss it. There is an upstairs indoor tasting room and some tables in the sun where you can practically grab a handful of the grapes growing on the vine. It is casual and relaxed and the staff gives the kind of individualized attention that you can't get at the big wineries.
I happen to be on a huge white wine kick and I can (and pretty much do) drink their sauvignon blanc every day - it keeps me a happy girl. But they are really known for their beautiful reds. Their cabs are outstanding and worth every penny and then some. I am what one may call a "romantic wino" but I really feel like all of the love of this adorable family and all of the love that they put into their land, their grapes and their wine translates into something special.
I never sign up for wine clubs but I signed up for the Salvestrin's. So far, I've gone to a lobster feed dinner and a luncheon. At the lobster feed, we all sat with the Salvestrin's at a long table in the vines and ate dinner under the stars, with as much as we cared to drink. (Added bonus: the food is prepared on-site by the St. Helena volunteer fire department. Let's just say some ladies were drooling before dinner started.) At the luncheon, we had a three-course lunch at which Grandma Salvestrin made her home-made pasta, of course with wine pairings. What is not to like?
This winery is making some big traction in the valley. As much as part of me wants to keep quiet about this little gem so I can keep it all for me and my family and friends, this winery is too good not to spread the word. You'll see it at some very, very high end places - if that is how you roll - but for everybody else, do yourself a favor and visit Salvestrin before everyone else knows it. -
Review from Jesse O.
San Francisco, CA
9/9/2008 2 photos
Who knew!? This little winery tucked away in the small town of St. Helena was like a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the major wine houses. It's a quiet and private serene place to relax and taste wine. If you're into boutique wineries this is the place to go. It's non-pretentious and if you're a newbie to wine, don't fret because the wine tasting room manager and the other employees will guide you through a memorable and educational wine experience. In fact, if you're a newbie to wine, I highly recommend this place. Experienced winos will enjoy it too because you can just kick back and taste the artisan craft of good wine making.
Traditionally, I only drink white wine, but after sampling a grape from the vineyard, I was tempted to go ahead and sample the 2004 Cab and 2005 Retaggio. After all, I'm not opposed to doing a little sniff, swirl and spit of a good cab or any red worth tasting. The only downfall... its a little hard to find off main street. It's not difficult, but keep an eye out! It's near the high school. -
Review from Anne R.
Eugene, OR
6/28/2009
Everything about Salvestrin is AWESOME!
I wouldn't have known about this lil' gem of a winery 'twere it not for my fellow Yelpers, so thank you, thank you, THANK YOU (all)! A group of 8 other girls and myself went here as part of our self-guided bachelorette party wine tour, and had an absolutely fantastic time. We tasted wonderful wines, were wonderfully educated about said wines (by David, GREAT GUY!), and just had an overall wonderful time (theme of our Salvestrin experience = wonderful. Many times over.). Not a single girl got outta there without purchasing her own Salvestrin wine (many bottles, in a few of our cases!), and I'm quite sure that we'll all independently be back.
WOOHOO FOR SALVESTRIN!!! -
Review from Marisa R.
San Jose, CA
6/29/2009
I was with Anne R. and the bachelorette group. I have to echo her comments about what a wonderful place Salvestrin is. This family owned winery was welcoming (thank you, David) and friendly (thank you David again). The wines were great and I am looking forward to drinking the 2006 Retaggio soon and buying many more bottles of their wonderful wine. I'll be bringing my husband here on our next trip to Napa for sure!
I would definitely stop in and experience what a winery experience should be. -
Review from Athena R.
San Carlos, CA
7/5/2009
An absolute gem! This place offers outstanding wines, fantastic hospitality, a charming tasting room, and outstanding vineyard views - what more could you ask for? I rarely boast the praises of wineries I visit, but I must say that I am impressed time and time again by this lovely family-owned establishment. I have yet to make a visit to the valley without stopping by Salvestrin. One sip of their wines and your guaranteed to be coming back for more and more!! Salud!
I also must mention that the price points on their wines are excellent! Excellent deals for wine-club members too! -
Review from Craig G.
San Francisco, CA
10/11/2009
I hesitated in writing this review in that I selfishly disn't want the word to get out about this gem of a winery for fear it'll be over-run with visitors....but I just couldn't resist keeping the secret of Salvestrin to myself (besides, I adored the owners and staff and know that word-of -mouth is the way to build a family business).
Let's start with the great tasting wine: We walked away with multiple bottles. That says it all.
But the real differentiator is the staff: The woman (Chelsea) pouring the wine was as effervescent and bubbly as a fine champagne! The atmosphere was fun and lively - everyone seemed to really enjoy their job and be genuinely glad you were there. It was like stepping into a family reunion.
Another friendly staff member (Megan) even offered us a private tour (which we jumped at) of how the wine was made.
We'd visited a bunch of the more commercial wineries earlier that day and they didn't hold a candle to the off-the-charts experience we had at Salvestrin.
But, shhhh...only tell your best friends. Send everyone else to one of the snooty wineries like Cakebread. -
Review from Heather F.
San Francisco, CA
9/15/2008
Simply put, Salvestrin is the perfect antidote to an increasingly-commercial Napa Valley. At a time when most wineries however small they may appear are ultimately owned and run by giant conglomerates, Salvestrin is and has been family owned for going on three generations. What does this mean for you? A visit to Salvestrin will likely include a personal conversation with the winemakers, a stroll through their gorgeous vineyard (and maybe a nibble on grapes picked fresh from the vine), and an otherwise leisurely and attitude-free tasting experience. Ah yes, and the wine -- some delicious sauv blanc and seriously well-priced cabs, as well as my personal favorite, their "Retaggio" red blend. You will be a hit at dinner parties when showing up with a fabulous bottle of wine from your secret boutique winery while the other jokers just bought whatever was on the middle shelf at Safeway that week. A must-visit for those looking for a truly distinctive wine tasting experience.
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Review from Ryan L.
San Francisco, CA
11/5/2009
We went here based on these Yelp reviews so if the other reviews sound inviting, you won't be disappointed. I think we spent two hours sitting at the picnic tables, drinking our wine, and talking to a family member about the winery, the wines, the B&B, the family history and the young one kicking the under-inflated basketball around.
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Review from Robert G.
Oklahoma City, OK
7/22/2010
My wife and I visited this vineyard last week. It is an out of the way, off the beaten path, gem. We made an appointment and got a private tasting. Luke did a great job making us feel at home, showing us through the vineyard and allowing us to taste some great wines. We bought some cab and won't be sorry.
