Perfect Pair: Cakebread Cellars

I recently checked out the Capital Wine Festival at the Fairfax Hotel.  Owner, Dennis Cakebread, hosted an evening featuring a variety of their wines from the Napa Valley.  The evening began with a reception featuring Cakebread's  2010 Chardonnay.  This was Mr. Cakebread's first wine produced and shows a fragrant varietal nose of white fruits and subtle vanilla with toasty nuances highlighting pear, pineapple and melon fruit flavors set in a supple, discreet oak structure.  I'm normally not a Chardonnay fan, but this was good wine.  

Cakebread Cellars, Napa Valley

Beautiful scenery and outstanding wine! Cakebread Cellars wine is excellent and the property is amazing. Over 30 years ago, Jack Cakebread came to photograph the Napa Valley and studied with Ansell Adams and while here, he casually mentioned his interest in one day owning a vineyard to some family friends who had a ranch in Rutherford. When he returned home that afternoon, the phone rang and it was the family friends offering to sell their property. He headed back up to the valley that same afternoon to make his best offer ($800/acre), and Cakebread Cellars was born.

Although it was raining we still had a great time. I was hoping for food after 8 hours on the plane, but they didn't have any. There are a couple of restaurants close by. Cakebread is a small family owned winery that produces some of the top wines in the Napa Valley. If you are looking to try Cakebread in DC, head to Old Ebbitt. The staff is highly knowledgable and friendly. I would recommend that you make a visit soon!

Tasting room fee: $10 Appointment Needed
Wine price range: $25-$105

8300 Saint Helena Hwy
Rutherford, CA 94573

(707) 963-5222

www.cakebread.com