Hidden Mountain Escape - Fontanella Winery

Jeff Arnold, CS
8 hours ago
2 min read

Updated: 13 minutes ago

A visit to Fontanella Family Winery feels like a tranquil escape from the bustle of Napa Valley, yet it’s only about a 10-minute drive from downtown. Tucked away in the scenic slopes of the Mount Veeder AVA, the winding, oak-lined roads lead you to a family-run estate known for warm hospitality and intimate, one-on-one tastings.

This hidden mountain gem offers a relaxed setting where guests can slow down, enjoy the view, and explore wines that truly reflect the rugged character of Mount Veeder.

Wines That Capture The Mountain

Fontanella’s wines highlight the distinct terroir of their estate vineyards. Their 100% Mount Veeder Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a standout, offering a juicy and complex profile with impressive balance and structure.

For something truly unique, try Per Sempre, the winery’s distinctive multi-vintage blend. Crafted from multiple years of carefully selected wines over multiple years, it delivers remarkable depth and character. Guests also consistently fall in love with the winery’s Rosé (2024 vintage is sold out), which is bright, refreshing, and incredibly enjoyable.

While at the tasting room, the Journey Tasting is a curated, reservation-only experience that immerses guests in the Fontanella story. Visitors enjoy four current-release wines, a tour of the barrel room, and a preview of an upcoming release, all paired with a small cheese plate and crackers to enhance the tasting experience.

Don't forget to bring your 2026 Napa Vine Pass as you'll save $32.50 off the Journey Tasting and receive 10% off your bottle purchases.

Wine Review: 2022 Zinfandel -- Fontanella Winery

Wine tasting lineup at Gandona Winery in Napa Valley

The 2022 Fontanella Family Winery Zinfandel is a blend of 50% Napa Valley and 50% Sonoma County fruit, composed of 95% Zinfandel, 3% Petite Sirah, and 2% Primitivo. The wine spent 11 months in American oak, 25% new, with 14.9% alcohol, with a retail price of $65.

In the glass, it shows a medium ruby color with moderate opacity. The nose is highly aromatic, offering jammy red fruit, black pepper, and warm baking spices. American oak adds notes of vanilla, coconut, chocolate, and cinnamon.

On the palate, darker fruits emerge: black plum, blackberry, and black cherry supported by medium tannins and balanced acidity. The small addition of Petite Sirah adds a bit more structure and depth. A touch of minerality and a long, lingering finish round out the wine.

Overall, it’s a bold, fruit-forward Zinfandel with plenty of fruit and richness. While enjoyable now, a few years of cellaring should help the wine integrate further, and it has the potential to age well for 10–15 years.