Nearly 20 years after it was founded, Clif Family Winery in Napa Valley has 90 acres of estate vineyards and five acres of vegetable gardens, olive trees and fruit orchards. Its commitment to sustainability is quickly becoming that of legend, as is its approach to hospitality.
Visiting the Clif Family Winey, which includes both the Rifugio tasting room and Enoteca just off the main drag in St. Helena, is a trip. Actually, if really seeking to try a little of everything, it will be several trips given the sheer number of experiences on property. The primary tasting room is called Rifugio, which is Italian for “refuge.” In Italy, there are several Rifugios across the Alps that are relaxing refuges for bicyclists, hikers and other folks traversing the mountain range. It is light, bright and inviting with homages to CLIF Bars (founded by the family behind the winery), cycling and their love of the land in every direction. Inside the Rifugio and on the expansive patio, guests are treated to several experiences. There is a daily Rise & Wine reservation ($65 per person) available at 10 a.m. with brunch-inspired bites paired with the brand’s lighter wines. If arriving a touch later in the day, the Seasonal Wine Tasting ($50 per person) is offered several times a day and features Clif’s small-production wines with small bites made from the family’s organic farm and artisan food business. Offered similar times daily, the Clif King of the Mountain Tasting ($85 per person) pairs for of the family’s exceptional wines from Howell Mountain with four perfect bites. Vegetarians or vegans in the group? This is the perfect option for them as plant-based options are easily accommodated.
But, oh, there is more!
There are also a handful of featured experiences at the tasting room. Right now, there are two that will blow the doors off of any group. First, there is the Street Food Feast & Flight ($95 per person), which is a food and wine pairing from the creative minds of the Clif culinary team with hand-picked pairings. And if traveling with sober-curious friends or those who prefer non-alcoholic options, there is the Farm Elixir Mocktail Flight ($50 per person), a spiritless experience that pairs mocktails with small bites.
Now, we move on to the Enoteca.
This wholly separate building is just behind the primary tasting room, but in some ways even more grand (if that is possible). It looks directly out to the vineyard, boasts a full-scale kitchen, and looks like a cozy combination family-dining room, albeit one that would be found in a grand mansion given its scale and thoughtful architectural highlights. There is even a fireplace.
All experiences in the enoteca are private by design and feature the small-production Howell Mountain estate wines paired with dishes made using organic seasonal produce from Clif Family Farm. Currently, there are three reservation types in the enoteca, each offering some private time with Clif’s lauded culinary team, sometimes even the award-winning Executive Chef John McConnell. The first is called Presto Gusto ($100 per person) and is an elevated brunch with plating that rivals the finest restaurants in the world (many of which are just down the street in Yountville). If a Cabernet lover, then the next tasting is a must. It is called La Cima Reserva ($125 per person) and features small-production, single-vineyard Cabernets from the Clif Family collection paired with Chef McConnell’s imaginative cuisine. The pièce de résistance in the enoteca is called Pasto E Vino ($195 per person) and is a two-hour adventure in all things food and wine. Do not dare eat before this multi-course, full-sensory experience that takes farm-to-table to a whole other level.
Even beyond all this, there is also the Clif Family Bruschetteria (Thursday to Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Wednesdays from noon to 6:30 p.m.) that must be experienced at least once. Housed in an actual food truck and using ingredients from Clif Family Farm and trusted local purveyors, the menu changes regularly but primarily features bruschetta, porchetta, rotisserie chicken, farm-fresh salads and seasonal sides to pair with wine flights, glasses, or even full bottles of wine on the patio.
See, told you it takes two or three (or six) visits to get to everything.
While planning, here are a few bottles available online to whet the palate and prepare for the adventure ahead:
Clif Family 2022 Rte Blanc Sauvignon Blanc: A beautiful combination of tropical fruit, grapefruit and peaches with a healthy acidity and zippy tang. $30
Clif Family Sonoma Valley 2021 Grenache: Floral on the nose and then delightfully fruity to the taste, enjoy every sip of the cherry and strawberry beauty. $42
Clif Family 2020 Estate Zinfandel: Light for a Zin with bright acidity and a lengthy finish, this bottle is a celebration of cherries, blueberry compote and a hint of espresso. $65
Clif Family 2013 Cold Springs Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain: Big, bold and meant to be shared with someone special, ultra-ripe cherry and black tea are the primary flavors here, but do not sleep on the floral notes and richness on the nose and mouthfeel. $250
For more information on Clif Family Winery, visit cliffamily.com.
709 Main St.
St. Helena, CA 94574