View As PDF - Wine Country This Week

JEFFERSON STAt Jessup Cellars, It’s All About the ExperienceIn a verdant valley full of wineries,vineyards and tasting rooms, the JessupCellars tasting room is something different.The wines are excellent, the people arefriendly (while also being efficient andknowledgeable about their wines, art andhospitality in general). But there are somethings you will find when you visit that setJessup apart from the rest.As any staff member will proudlyproclaim if asked, Jessup is “all about theexperience.” Walk-in visitors are welcomedat the tasting bar, but for those seeking amore intimate occasion, the by-appointmentsemi-private tastings are the way to bestenjoy the tasting room and staff. Taking placewithin Jessup’s art gallery, visitors get toenjoy a range of wines available only fromthe winery in a relaxed, no attitudeenvironment. In fact, if you ask the rightpeople around the Valley, you’ll hear thesame response: it’s the staff at Jessup, theirwillingness to answer any question, their joyat getting to share what they love about thewines, which really makes the distinction.It is fair to say – perhaps even anunderstatement – to consider a visit to thischarming tasting room with its fine wines,gracious wine country hospitality, collectionof art, handsome décor and casual feel is atrue treat for all of the senses. To be able tosit, sample their exceptional wines alongwith a bit of food in such a setting, whereyou learn in such a way that it feels as if youare simply absorbing knowledge instead ofjust being taught, is wonderful way to spendan hour or so here in a small town that is aWASHINGTONJACKSONMADISON STGirard 1 JESSUP CELLARSPEDRONIMa(i)sonrySTARKEY ST29Blankiet EstateDomaine ChandonCALIFORNIA DRWASHINGTON STYOuNtViLLEWEBBER STYOUNT STHill FamilyEstateHope and GraceRASGALLERIESSOMERSTONCornerstone CellarsPage Wine CellarsYOUNTVILLE CROSS RDTo Silverado Trailbeacon to wine lovers and gourmets fromaround the globe.Jessup Cellars is open daily 10 a.m. to 6p.m. (last seated tasting at 5 p.m.,reservations are needed for seated tastings)and is located at 6740 Washington Street,Yountville; (707) 944-8523.KeeverVINEYARD VIEW - PRIVATEElyseHOFFMANWASHINGTON STBell Winewww.WineCountryThisWeek.com47