By Emma Krasov. Photography by Yuri Krasov.
You can have good wine anywhere. At home, in a hotel room, at a restaurant, in a bar… You can visit amazing places where all your emotions are stirred, and all your senses are enticed, but in this case you have a lucky conjunction of both—a great-looking place, and a wonderful wine.
Maria Concetto Winery in Calistoga is relatively new in this well-known wine-focused little town in Napa Valley—the major touristy area of the California wine country.
It should be tough for any new arrival to establish themselves in this internationally famous region, but Maria Concetto did just that—with ease and grace.
Upon arrival at the winery in downtown Calistoga your eyes will rest on crystal chandeliers of contemporary design, blue velvet couches and armchairs, and colorful displays of Murano glass souvenirs in shiny clear cases. You’ll be greeted by a friendly staff, willing and able to share with you the many wines of Maria Concetto from bright and lively sparkling to aromatic whites, beautiful rosé, well-balanced reds, and a subtly-sweet moscato—poured in designer glassware upon white marble tables outfitted with signature blue napkins marked with a golden “M.”
Blue, white, and gold are the prevailing colors in the tasting room’s décor and tableware, reminiscent of royal palaces, art salons, and fine jewelry exhibits. That seems like the right ambiance for consuming carefully curated, proprietary-blended wines.
Maria Concetto employs four experienced winemakers in Calistoga, Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino (where the main production facility is located) to produce its unique wines—2 kinds of sparkling: Blanc de Blanc from Sonoma and Brut from Napa; 2 chardonnay, 1 rosé, 2 pinot noir, 4 cabernet sauvignon, and 1 moscato.
You won’t find Maria Concetto wines in retail. The main focus of the decidedly small quantities (50 to 100 cases of each wine) is on the exceptional quality and health-conscious approach, which is often incompatible with mass production.
“I make wine for my consumers the way I make it for myself,” says Maria Reznikova, the proprietor. “I’m often allergic to store-bought wines, and therefore extremely careful not to add preservatives, enhancers, etc. I don’t have a goal to keep these wines for a long time in potentially warm storage facilities, so there’s no need to artificially extend their shelf life. My wines are luscious and refreshing, and designed to be enjoyed here and now, although they age well in bottles.”
Maria is passionate about using the best fruit from every region, like cabernet sauvignon from Napa, pinot noir from Mendocino and Russian River, and chardonnay from Sonoma. She pays attention to every detail, and works closely with winemakers to make wonderful blends she admittedly likes herself.
“I take pride in representing the best grapes from the best regions,” she says. “During tastings, I like letting people compare different AVAs, different vintages. I like to blend my cabs, and my favorite grapes for that are petit verdot, malbec, cabernet franc, and merlot. My 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Calistoga, Napa Valley is 95 % cab and 5% malbec. And even 5% make a big difference!”
This reporter’s favorite, 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, RESERVE, Napa Valley contained 78% cab, 5% merlot, 7% cab franc, 5% petit verdot, and 5% malbec, and presented a classic Napa Valley cabernet with a full spectrum of aromas and flavors, dark purple color, fruit-forward nature with hints of spiced plums and boysenberry, and subtle and intriguing notes of freshly tanned leather, black olives, and anise, all pleasantly accented in the background in a warm lingering finish.
The winery offers three thematic wine tasting experiences (Couture, Connoisseur, and Vino Virtuoso), each featuring six wines, plus the newest and most admired Sparkling Sensation pairing of two sparkling wines with white sturgeon caviar (and accoutrements).
At this exquisite tasting, Napa Valley Brut (49% chardonnay, 44% pinot noir, 7% pinot blanc) is poured first, redolent of aromas of peonies, softly ripened peaches and plums, followed by a dazzling acidity of stone fruit, balanced out by the luscious brioche flavor on the palate. Sonoma County Blanc de Blancs (100% chardonnay, hand harvested and lightly pressed) follows with bright, lively and refreshing aromas of honeydew, iris and orange blossoms. Crisp notes of green apple and Meyer lemon are counterbalanced with delicate minerality and notes of apricot. Both wines, paired with the ultimate luxury food—delicate black caviar atop miniature blinis with crème fraiche and chives, provide a unique and opulent tasting experience.
Other food pairings, offered at the tasting room, are Cheese & Charcuterie Platters, and Crackers, Nuts, and Chocolate Assortment, each serving two or four people.
These precious wines are only available at the winery, and at some of the best Calistoga restaurants, like Bricco Osteria across the street, owned and operated by Ali Yildirim.
Thanks to the winery’s friendly connection with Bricco Osteria, the restaurant’s menu items can be delivered to Maria Concetto tasting room upon request, or, should you buy wine here, and bring it along to Bricco, the restaurant will wave a corkage fee for you.
On top of these original and valuable features, Maria Concetto Winery offers quite a few additional enhancements—a non-alcoholic Lev’s Kombucha station for non-drinking guests and designated drivers (drinking guests are welcome to mix kombucha with their sparkling or rosé for a refreshing summer cocktail); karaoke nights every Sunday at 6 pm; dancing parties; an opportunity to rent the entire facility for private celebrations or corporate events for 35 seated guests or 100 standing; and even automobile tours in the winery’s vintage-style custom-made electric car, painted their signature blue, and bearing Maria Concetto gilded logo, usually parked right in front of the tasting room.
It comes as no surprise that in just a little over a year since its opening, Maria Concetto Wine Club accepted more than a hundred members, and the tasting room in Calistoga became a destination for wine enthusiasts far beyond the surrounding region.
Visit Maria Concetto Winery at 1367 Lincoln Avenue in Calistoga, California.
Find out more and make your reservation by calling 707-860-5774 or visiting https://mariaconcettowinery.com/.
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