I've been working with Dana Estates for the last couple of months to put together a special event for my company employees. I came to hear about Dana somewhat serendipitously through a colleague and am so glad that I did. I'm now on pins and needles waiting to share their wine and the winery experience with more people and here, I'll share with you what I've learned.
First, Dana (pronounced DAH-nah) has three wine labels, all made by the same winemaker and produced using similar hand-crafted techniques:
- Dana: a cult winery with many 100 pt wines, only available to members, several year waiting list to be a member. Let's skip over this as not attainable to you and I ;-)
- Onda: makes one wine (a cab) and does it really well. The same winemaker as Dana label, also famed winemaker Philippe Melka consults with Chris to make this stellar wine! These wines are only available for purchase at the Napa tasting room (where you can try a vertical). The tasting room experience is Zen-like with private rooms and a very relaxing experience. I wish I had photos to share... I will post them later after another meditative visit. I highly recommend visiting Onda and enjoying the cabs! It's worth it! Definitely on par or better than well-known names like Silver Oak, Stag's Leap ... in fact... I'd say the Onda cab is far better. More drinkable young than SLV, but highly age-worthy. Collectors' wines.
- Vaso: I cringe to call this "entry level" because the Vaso cab was just as religious a drinking experience as the Onda but at half the price. Vaso label also makes an age-worthy Sauv Blanc that is oak aged. I know, no one does that. Chris Cooney at Vaso does. This is a really stellar representation of the SV grape. Vaso wines are available for purchase on the website and the tasting room. The tasting room is in a separate building from Onda but on the same property. It's a lovely open air barn with an upscale and modern feel that is also somehow lounge-y and comfortable. While it's nice that the wines are available on the web site, you'd be doing yourself a dis-service not to visit the tasting room.
I can't say enough good things about Vaso and Onda! I'll be back, I'll be buying more wine, I'll be happy. =)
And darn, why didn't I take a photo?!? ;-) read more