Dec 30, 2022
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Highflyer Wines
| Owner(s) | F. Allan Chapman, Craig Becker |
| Web site | www.highflyerwines.com |
| Link to this site |
A partnership between general manager and winemaker Craig Becker, a University of California Davis graduate, David Zurowsky, marketing manager with fifteen years of experience in the field of sales and marketing in the wine business and Allan Chapman. One of the three distinct brands under the Somerston Wine Co. based in St. Helena. The brand is named for Becker's love of flying and includes an eclectic line-up of varietals from vineyard sites throughout California.
Somerston is a 1,628-acre estate consisting of the former Priest Ranch purchased by proprietor Allan Chapman in 2004, and Elder Valley in the mountains east of Rutherford continuous to the Priest Ranch in 2006. Over 200 acres of vineyards with elevations of 820 to 2,400 feet, 87 distinct growing blocks, five soil types and over 15 varieties planted. The fruit is purchased by some of Napa Valley's most renowned winemakers including David Ramey, Heidi Barrett and David Phinney, plus a handful of well-respected wineries, including Balcom Family Cellars, Biale, Caymus, Duckhorn, Orin Swift, Pahlmeyer and Viader.
A small amount of Pinot Noir from Doctor's Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands was released in 2008 under the Highflyer label. The wine is sold on the winery's website and is distributed nationwide. Annual production is 6,000 cases.
Tours of Somerston Estate and tasting are offered by appointment (707-967-8414). A very unique wine experience, the front of the winery features a 1,000-square-foot tasting room and a 4,000-square-foot patio. Tastings include wines paired with a selection of cheeses, fresh charcuterie, pistachios and berries from local farms. An off-road vineyard experience is offered, which features an all-terrain vineyard tour of the Somerston Estate guided by a specialist ($50).
The Somerston tasting room in Yountville at 6490 Washington Street includes food pairings, an art gallery, and a private event space. Tasting options range from $10 to $50. One of only three rooftop venues in the entire Napa Valley, Somerston features views of downtown Yountville and the greater Napa Valley beyond. The tasting room is open to visitors Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Sunday and Monday from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Articles About Highflyer Wines
Reviewed Wines
2010 High Flyer Sierra Madre Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay
14.7% alc., 550 cases, $28. One of three wine brands from Somerston Wine
Co., made under the direction of General Manager and Winemaker Craig
Becker.
·
Light straw color and clear in the glass. Peach, honey, butter, roasted
nuts, and yeast aromas are featured. Tasty core of baked apple, citrus and
vanilla wafer flavors in a restrained, demure style, finishing with a good cut of
citrus that makes an enjoyable impression. Very good.
Reviewed April 4, 2012
ARTICLE »
2010 Highflyer Wines Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay
14.7% alc., 550 cases, $28. Sourced from lowyielding
vines at Sierra Madre Vineyard located near the western edge of the Santa Maria Valley appellation.
Winemaker and “pilot” is Craig Becker. Previously reviewed in April 2012 (that bottle showed better).
·
Moderate golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Aromas of lemon tart, buttered popcorn, lychee and
haystack lead to flavors of lemon curd, banana, lychee, nuts and creamy pastry. Easy to drink with a slightly
creamy texture and a refreshing cut of lemony acidity on the finish.
Score: 86.
Reviewed October 27, 2013
ARTICLE »
2009 High Flyer Doctor’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands
14.5% alc., 825
cases, $40.
·
Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Lovely dark fruit
aromas with a touch of cola and spice. Middleweight flavors of black cherries
and black raspberries with a complimentary note of sassafras and vanilla. Sleek
and very soft in the mouth with restrained, dusty tannins. An appealing wine
offering reasonable length on the finish and admirable balance. Very good.
Source: www.highflyerwines.com.
Reviewed February 22, 2012
ARTICLE »
2009 High Flyer Sierra Madre Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., 325 cases, $40.
·
Darkly
colored in the glass. Aromas of black fruits, prune, bell pepper, loam, and ash. The flavors of earth-kissed
black plums, black raspberries and blackberries push the ripeness envelope. The wine lacks verve and
interest. Decent.
Reviewed February 22, 2012
ARTICLE »
2010 High Flyer Sierra Madre Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay
14.7% alc., 550 cases, $28. One of three wine brands from Somerston Wine Co., made under the direction of General Manager and Winemaker Craig Becker. · Light straw color and clear in the glass. Peach, honey, butter, roasted nuts, and yeast aromas are featured. Tasty core of baked apple, citrus and vanilla wafer flavors in a restrained, demure style, finishing with a good cut of citrus that makes an enjoyable impression. Very good. Reviewed April 4, 2012 ARTICLE »
2010 Highflyer Wines Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay
14.7% alc., 550 cases, $28. Sourced from lowyielding vines at Sierra Madre Vineyard located near the western edge of the Santa Maria Valley appellation. Winemaker and “pilot” is Craig Becker. Previously reviewed in April 2012 (that bottle showed better). · Moderate golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Aromas of lemon tart, buttered popcorn, lychee and haystack lead to flavors of lemon curd, banana, lychee, nuts and creamy pastry. Easy to drink with a slightly creamy texture and a refreshing cut of lemony acidity on the finish. Score: 86. Reviewed October 27, 2013 ARTICLE »
2009 High Flyer Doctor’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands
14.5% alc., 825 cases, $40. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Lovely dark fruit aromas with a touch of cola and spice. Middleweight flavors of black cherries and black raspberries with a complimentary note of sassafras and vanilla. Sleek and very soft in the mouth with restrained, dusty tannins. An appealing wine offering reasonable length on the finish and admirable balance. Very good. Source: www.highflyerwines.com. Reviewed February 22, 2012 ARTICLE »
2009 High Flyer Sierra Madre Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., 325 cases, $40. · Darkly colored in the glass. Aromas of black fruits, prune, bell pepper, loam, and ash. The flavors of earth-kissed black plums, black raspberries and blackberries push the ripeness envelope. The wine lacks verve and interest. Decent. Reviewed February 22, 2012 ARTICLE »