Luna Vineyards, Napa - OK, But ....

The first Napa Valley winery we visited after leaving Sonoma last October, was Luna Vineyards (http://www.lunavineyards.com/), on the north side of the town of Napa.  While we really liked two of their four wines, I would not return. The Luna wine we enjoyed the most was the Sangiovese Reserve. For the same price, I’d choose a Tuscan Sangiovese wine; e.g., a Chianti Classico Riserva. For slightly more - I'd take a Brunello.

The Luna Vineyards tasting room was classy. It was here that we first discovered that prices for Napa Valley wine tastings tend to be higher than Sonoma tastings, even when the quality is roughly equivalent. The tasting cost $20 for four wines. Our opinion of ththe wines we tasted ranged from excellent down to decent. Prices below include both the retail bottle price and the wine club bottle prices:

2009 Pinot Grigio, 95% Pinot Grigio, 5% Chardonnay - decent - $18/$14.40

2008 Sangiovese, 75% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, 5% Petite Sirah - very nice - $25/$20

2007 Sangiovese Reserve, 100% Sangiovese - excellent -$40/$32 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon - very nice - $50/$40.

Entrance to the Luna Tasting Room

The Luna Tasting Room

The Luna Vineyards location is also the location for Moone-Tsai wines, which are high-end wines that start at $75 per bottle. Moone-Tsai tastings are by appointment.