California’s wine country, with its undulating vineyards and sun-kissed valleys, has always held a special place in the hearts of oenophiles and travelers alike. Nestled between Napa and Sonoma lies Knights Valley – a valley which is enriched with minerals from volcanic rhyolite, contributing to the creation of stunning wines.
I recently had the pleasure of touring Knights Bridge Winery’s state-of-the-art production facility and came away with a new appreciation for the wine being made in this AVA.
Upon arriving at Knights Bridge, guests follow the same route that grapes go through at the winery providing an educational and immersive experience. The winery is constructed almost entirely underground and during our visit, Knights Bridge winemaker Derek Baljeu walked us through the variety of winemaking techniques that Knights Bridge employs when making their delicious Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc. We were fascinated to find that Knights Bridge uses three different fermentation techniques to make their wines: barrel aging, stainless steel and concrete eggs. The mixture of techniques allows Knights Bridge to tailor its wines to the method best suited for the grapes.
Throughout the winery tour I admired the elegantly understated architecture and attention to detail – everything from the custom tulip-shaped concrete tanks to the grand barrel cave. Knights Bridge’s barrels are meticulously crafted to enhance the flavors of their exceptional wines.
Throughout the tour we stopped at various points to find elegantly presented bites presented:
- Truffled goat cheese with 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, Fairview
- Cucumber with smoked salmon with 2018 Chardonnay, East Block
Our final destination was a private room with a contemporary design and beautiful artwork. A plate with the following small bites were presented:
- Pennyroyal Farm cheese and other local cheeses
- Journeyman Meats salami
- Eggplant mousse
- Housemade crostini
- Nuts and dried fruit
The following Cabernet wines accompanied it:
- 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley
- 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Christobel
- 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Haggerty
Every corner of the winery is beautifully designed – from the warehouse to the tasting room, from the wine cave to the valley view, Knights Bridge is a visual feast. Combined with fantastic wine and food, the winery touches upon a variety of senses.
Knights Bridge Winery offers an intimate and exclusive experience that highlights the seclusion and untouched beauty of Knights Valley. In every bottle, you’ll find a symphony of flavors that beautifully bridge Napa’s intensity with Sonoma’s grace.
