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Maxville Estate Winery, St. Helena

Old Napa Valley Weekend for Two Couples

www.maxvillelakewines.com

Maxville Lake is nestled deep in the Chiles Valley District of Napa Valley. The land around Maxville, formerly known as Rancho Catacula was part of a land grant from Governor Manuel Micheltorena to Joseph Chiles, bequeathed in 1844. 

In the 1960s, the Edward Keith family purchased over 1,000 acres of the Rancho Catacula Land Grant and turned a portion of it into the Bar 49 Summer Camp. The property was first planted to grape vines in 1974; today Maxville has over 100 acres of vineyard, growing Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Petite Sirah.  The volcanic soils these vines are planted in provide a prime growing condition for luxury wines.

In 1996, construction began for the most impressive tasting room and barrel ageing facility in the Chiles Valley. Maxville purchased the winery in 2014. The facility and surrounding property was extensively remodeled in 2016 to the modern winery it is today. 

The underground caves can accommodate over 2,000 barrels, holding them at ideal humidity and temperature for aging.  Vintage after vintage, Maxville Estate’s goal is to create wines that exhibit distinct character and elegance.

Maxville Winery practices sustainable farming in order to preserve the integrity of the property. Additionally, nearly 1000 acres are placed within the Napa Valley Land Trust. This guarantees the land will never be subdivided and it is only used for agricultural purposes.

Executive Winemaker, Camille Benitah, grew up immersed in the wine culture of Bordeaux France.  She studied winemaking at Lycee la Tour Blanche in Bommes (Bordeaux, Sauternes), graduating in 1999.  In 2000, after four years of hands-on study and working with several prestigious chateaux in Bordeaux, she moved to Napa. In 2014, she joined Maxville Lake Winery as the Executive Winemaker to work with the team crafting luxury wines from the estate. 

Your Vintners “Old Napa Valley” Weekend at Maxville Estate and Bar 49 Ranch includes:

• Weekend VIP “Guests of the owner” for two couples (four guests), Friday and Saturday night – with leisurely check out on Sunday.
• Two night accommodations at the owners private “Lodge” on the hillside overlooking our 1000-acre estate. Lodge includes two “en-suite” guest rooms, kitchen, living room, dining room, expansive deck and deck furniture.
• Four-course wine and food dinner at the winery paired with four Chiles Valley AVA Estate wines
• A private, personal guided tour of the Historic 1000-acre ranch and vineyards – part of the original “Rancho Catacula” Land Grant from the Mexican Government to Pioneer Joseph Ballinger Chiles in 1841; tour by ATV, QUAD, 4WD “mule” or Land Rover.
• Learn about the history of Joseph Ballinger Chiles and the very first “Wagon Train of American Pioneers” to land in California, led by Chiles - on the very land that he settled.
• Great photo opportunities at some of the highest points in the Chiles Valley hills.
• Hike miles of private trails.
• At the highest peak view the Chiles Valley, the Mayacamas Mountain tops to the west and Pope Valley and the “Blue Ridge” part of the Vaca Mountain range to the east.
• Cruise by ATV 1.5 miles into the hillside for a target practice at the owners private shooting range plus, a very special “Clay shooting experience” with National Champion trap & skeet shooter Blake Fahmie, at their founders private “5 stand” sporting-clay shooting course.
• Enjoy a leisurely lunch on “Lake Maxville” aboard their private “Floating Tasting Room”.
• Fish for a large mouth Bass in the well-stocked lake.
• Tour the 15,000 square foot underground wine caves with barrel tasting of Maxville Estate’s next vintages.

Lodge is available only on weekends; if booked, will arrange for a mutually agreeable date.