The last winery we visited on our trip was Markham Vineyards (http://www.markhamvineyards.com/) on Highway 29 on the north side of St. Helena. It was located at the intersection with Deer Park Rd., the first intersection north of the entrance to Charles Krug. While the wines we tasted there were very nice, the atmosphere of the tasting room felt like it was part of the operation of a large corporation, as it is.
The first winery at this location was established by Bordeaux immigrant, Jean Laurent in 1874. In 1879, he built the stone cellar that is at the heart of the current operation.
In 1978, Bruce Markham founded Markham Vineyards at this location. The winery is currently owned by Mercian Corporation.
As you walk up to the front of the winery, you see the impressive old Laurent stone cellar building ahead. To the right is the tasting room, which is very modern, and, in my opinion, has no soul.
Original Stone Cellar
The Tasting Room
They offer two tastings - one for $15 and and one for $25. The $15 tasting includes five wines. The $25 tasting includes the five wines of the $15 tasting plus three high-end wines. We chose to share a $15 tasting, but only tried four of the five wines. We were not interested in the Chardonnay. The wines we tried were the following, which were all very nice. Prices are the retail price at the winery:
- 2010 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, 68 % Sauvignon Blanc, 21% Sauvignon Musqué (S.B. clone), 11% Semillon - very nice - $15
- 2007 Napa Valley Merlot, 76% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot - very nice - $23
- 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot - very nice - $34
- 2009 Muscat Blanc - very nice - $24
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