Wine Country is in full rosé craze as it gears up for the 2nd Annual Napa Valley RoséFest being held at Sterling Vineyards this weekend. Summer is rosé’s time to shine, as the florally fruitiness of the varietal pairs well with sunny days and hot weather. We’ve rounded up a list of featured RoséFest wines that you can also check out in local tasting rooms if you didn’t land tickets to the sold-out festival. Here are the best rosé wines from around the valley to sip this summer. It’s time to drink pink!
Crafted from Sangiovese and Merlot grapes grown on the Pestoni Family Rutherford estate, this rosé went through minimal filtration to preserve its fine fruit flavors. With floral and fruity aromas of rose, honeysuckle, yellow peach, and strawberry, and orange and peachy tasting notes, this 2017 varietal pairs perfectly with raw oysters or a zesty Moroccan couscous. Find this rosé at the Pestoni Family Estate in St. Helena, open daily from 10am-4:30pm.
The refreshing Peju Pink rosé has aromas of summer berries, jolly rancher, and honeysuckle and a palatable dessert profile of watermelon, strawberry shortcake, and lemon tart. If that description isn’t enough to make you reach for a glass, you’ll also be delighted to find that 10% of all sales of Peju Pink go to local organizations committed to helping breast cancer prevention and treatment. So drink for a cause, and pick up a bottle of this crisp and vibrant 2016 rosé at Peju Province Winery in Rutherford daily from 10am-6pm.
This 2016 varietal has strawberry notes with hints of crème brulet and citrus on the nose. Fresh berry jam and cream form the palate on this refreshing summer wine. Pair this rosé with light salad, pasta, and rice dishes, and raw or lightly cooked shellfish and grilled fish. You can try the Kenefick family’s rosé at the Fairwinds Estate Winery joint tasting room in Calistoga.
Although crafted in Napa Valley, this rosé will transport you to the Mediterranean coastline, with notes of peach blossom, kumquat, apricot, and a hint of slate, reminiscent of the limestone mountain ridge from the Montagne Sainte Victoire region of southeastern France. This 2016 vintage is cantaloupe-peach in color, with light notes of strawberry, raspberry galette, and white nectarine. Visit the JCB Tasting Salon in Yountville daily from 11am-7pm to grab a bottle of this lively rosé.
Reminiscent of a pink sky at dusk, which gives this varietal its name translating to ‘sunset’ in French, this 2017 rosé is a delicate blend of merlot, cabernet franc, and zinfandel grapes. This “summertime in a glass” blend has aromas of fresh wild strawberries, peaches, and notes of ruby red grapefruit. To get your hands on this new release, visit Canard Vineyard in Calistoga.
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Are you planning a trip to Napa Valley this Rosé Season? Book your stay with the Napa Winery Inn, consistently rated as one of the top hotels in wine country.