Flora Springs Offers Two Tasting Options in Napa Valley

Flora Springs Winery & Vineyards, which is family-owned has two very different locations in St. Helena, California. Both of these Napa valley properties allow for wine exploration and tasting of unusual foods and wines, many of which are award-winning.

The Estate is the wine attraction of Flora Springs. Tours are by appointment only, but that allows you to schedule what you would like, whether it's just a tour through the production area with a tasting, or a chance to learn about the wine and enjoy it during a meal overlooking the vineyard. Lunches and dinners can vary between a sandwich and a three course dinner. The motto here is "we are very flexible and accommodating, so don't hesitate to ask."

The Room is a very different offering for those who want to experience the wines of Flora Springs without the details of how they are made. It's a modern building in downtown St. Helena that is as much a neighborhood hot spot as it is a winery venue. The Room consists of a wine bar, tasting caves and Atop The Room, where you can enjoy your selections while looking at some of the best views in California Wine Country.

At Flora Springs' The Room, you can order wine by the glass or in flights. You can also order one of their pairings that include wine and food. A full course lunch is available Atop The Room that includes wine and dessert. You can also choose from a variety of menus to plan a dinner of your choice in one of the Cave Rooms or Atop The Room.

In the end, all of the offerings at Flora Springs are only as good as the wine they offer and they appear to have something for everyone here. The Sauvignon Blanc is a perfect example of a light white, full of pineapple and citrus, working well with any type of food. The Trilogy is their flagship wine and receives its name because it is a blend of three grapes. The 2007, a winner with wine critics, is Cabernet Sauvignon (74%), Merlot (21%) and Petit Verdot (5%). It gets its rich flavor from 22 months in New French Oak, but still retains ripe fruit and tannins.

The vineyard also produces some grapes that are unusual for the area, but have become a standard here, such as Sangiovese. In fact, their vineyards are so well known for quality that they sell the majority of the fruit to other vineyards so they can "focus on being great, rather than large."

Visits to Flora Springs should be planned in advance. Visit their website for details.