Del Dotto Caves — learned about “toast”

Del Dotto Caves.  The second day of our winery tours began on Tuesday morning — July 29, 2008 — at 11 am with The Del Dotto Cave tour and Barrel tasting which is a tour I recommend to anyone visiting the Napa area.  The tour is fun, enjoyable, you can learn a lot if you so desire and tastings out of the barrel seem to just flow and flow.  We were told that the caves were dug — extending about 350 feet — by Chinese laborers back in 1885.  We also learned how the “toast” level of the wine barrel also can significantly influence tastes of the ultimate wine crafted.  We tasted the same type wine, aged in barrels with different toast levels and could taste significant differences.

Display of barrels with different toast levels

Cave entrance

We tasted out of 12 different barrels, or thereabouts as I lost count for some reason or another.  At that time, Del Dotto was focusing almost exclusively on red wines, of which we ordered 2 cases representing 6 different wines (Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc and a blend or two) tasted from the barrels.  We also added a bottle of the Zinfandel Port along with 2 bottles of the 2007 Sauvignon Blanc they offered.  We still are enjoying the wines and pull them out especially when entertaining.

Recommendation:  Make time to visit!  Unique opportunity that is both fun and educational.   Appointment is required so don’t forget to make arrangements before shøwing up.

Location:  1055 Atlas Peak Road;  Napa, CA    Phone:  707.963.2134

Cost: $40 per person :  Wine Cave Tour Fee is not waived even if wine is purchased.