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The Winemaker Is In

Members Only Tasting Series

We are delighted to announce the return of The Winemaker Is In series!

Hosted each month by a winemaker, these intimate tastings invite you closer to the stories, techniques, and inspiration behind every bottle. Each gathering explores a distinct theme, vintage, or varietal — personally selected and artfully presented by our winemaking team. While sipping on some of our favorite wines, enjoy a shared charcuterie board at the table, thoughtfully crafted by our Estate Chef. Following each tasting, a selection of limited wine packages will be offered, allowing you to bring home your favorites and continue the experience at home.

Hosted at 2:30pm on the following dates:
• April 23rd
• May 28th
• June 25th
• July 23rd

Tickets: $15 per guest
Kindly note reservations are required and are limited.
To preserve a more personal, up-close atmosphere, reservations are intentionally limited to members, with a maximum of two tickets allocated per membership account.
Tickets release: Reservations will be available Wednesday, April 8th, via text message invitation.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Liza in Membership at 707-227-3248 or Liza.Pearson@blackstallionwinery.com

Cheers!

Please note –
Each ticket reservation includes access to the Winemaker Is In seated tasting and shared charcuterie board(s) at the table. Please note that allergies and special dietary requests may not be able to be accommodated. In case of inclement weather, the tasting will be hosted indoors. Photos and/or video may be taken for use by Delicato Family Wines in future marketing or promotional materials. By joining us for this event, you grant permission for your name, image, voice, and/or likeness to be recorded, captured and used by Delicato Family Wines.

Our Roots

From the late 1800s until the early 1900s The Silverado Trail was home to cattle and horse ranching.  In the 1960s, Richard Tam and Ben Hardister built the Silverado Horseman’s Center covering 32 acres along the southern end of Silverado Trail.  The original facility featured an equestrian center with an indoor riding arena, 36 horse stalls, a grandstand for indoor riding events.  The property also included an outdoor arena with a grandstand that sat 3,000 people, a half mile race track, recreation buildings, private paddock, riding trails and a stallion breeding station.  The center thrived until the 1970s when it was sold to a local land developer.  In October 2005, Exclusive Estates Wine Group purchased a portion of the original parcel and began production on a state-of-the-art winery that opened in July 2007.  Inspired by the early history of the area and the equestrian center that once thrived on the property, the winery was named Black Stallion Winery.  Today, the original building that housed the indoor riding track sits directly behind the tasting room and barrel cellar and is used for the winery’s wine production.

Winegrowing in the Napa Valley

Napa Valley is known as the premier wine growing region of America.  Before there were grapes, Napa Valley was home to fruit and nut orchards.  By 1909, there were over 500,000 fruit and nut trees established in the Valley, predominantly pears, figs, and walnuts.  Early pioneer George C. Yount is said to have planted the first wine grapes in Napa Valley in the late 1800’s.  The combination of Mediterranean climate, geography and geology of the Valley were found to be extremely conducive to growing high quality wine grapes.  In 1919, with the enactment of Prohibition, vineyards were abandoned and many winemakers found other trades during the next 14 years, with a handful of wineries continuing to operate by producing sacramental wines.  With the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, Napa Valley’s wine industry began its renaissance.

The Silverado Trail

The first permanent road referred to as “the old back road” was built from Napa to Calistoga in 1952.  Around 1858, silver mining became popular in the hills at the northern end of the Valley.  Mr. Patchett, a local landowner, saw an opportunity to sell wine to the miners flocking to the area and began producing wine with the help of a cider press.  By 1872, elder miners moved to the southeastern corner of Mt. St. Helena creating Silverado City.  Several businesses and a hotel grew up around the claim and the population swelled to 1,500.  The silver vein had played-out by 1875 ending the short lived silver rush, and the miners moved on.  While on his honeymoon, Robert L. Stevenson found an abandoned shack in Silverado City in 1880, by then a ghost town.  Short on cash, he and his bride stayed for 3 weeks.  In 1883, he published Silverado Squatters, memoirs of his stay in Silverado City where he calls the old back road The Silverado Trail.  In 1921, the old back road was officially named the Silverado Trail.

The Chinese Laborers

After the 1849 discovery of gold in California, the first wave of Chinese immigrants started coming to the Napa Valley.  They planted and cultivated the land, as well as constructed the Napa Valley Railroad which operated between Vallejo and Calistoga.  The train was instrumental in the transportation of silver and mercury ore mined in the Upper Napa Valley.  They also dug by hand some of the Valley’s earliest wine caves.  When the railroad was finished in 1869, many Chinese laborers hoped to return to farming, which many of them had done in China.  While some of them were able to buy small plots in California, thousands found work for the next decade building the levees.

The Wappo Indians

The Native Americans known as the Wappo were some of the earliest inhabitants of Northern California and are believed to have settled in the Napa Valley beginning around 2000 B.C.  The Wappo made flour from acorn and also used roots, bulbs, and grasses in their diet.  They also fished and hunted for deer, elk and antelope to survive.  Their houses were dome-shared structures, made of grass thatch over bent poles.  Known for their basket making skills, the Wappo were a peaceful people with deep respect for their elders and devotion to their children.  By 1855, fewer than 500 Wappo remained in the Napa Valley.

Private Group Tasting

Our impressive Barrel Room is the setting for this wine tasting for groups of 9 or more. We’ll curate a selection of 4 limited-release, winery-only wines for your group. Your host will discuss the wines, the history of the winery, our vineyards and wine production, and will walk you into the Barrel Cellar (production activity permitting).

Thursday – Monday, by appointment, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (last reservation at 3:30 pm)

  • Price: $75 per person, plus 15% recommended gratuity

Please email concierge@blackstallionwinery.com or call the Tasting Room at 707 227-3250 for availability and to book a reservation. This experience can accommodate groups up to 32 guests.

Group Terrace Tasting

This wine tasting experience for groups of 9 or more is offered on our shaded patio. You’ll taste 4 limited-release, winery-only wines, and your host will discuss the wines, the history of the winery and the property, viticulture and wine production. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit our self-guided Demonstration Vineyard, just a few steps away from the patio. 

Thursday – Monday, by appointment, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (last reservation at 3:30 pm)

  • Price: $65 per person, plus 15% recommended gratuity

Please email concierge@blackstallionwinery.com or call the Tasting Room at 707 227-3250 for availability and to book a reservation. This experience can accommodate groups up to 32 guests.

Estate Picnic Lunch

Enjoy a curated picnic lunch with a bottle of wine at one of our private outdoor tables surrounded by vineyards, gardens, and water features. Prepared in house by Chef Britny Maureze.

When booking each guest chooses from a selection of deliciously prepared proteins, grilled in a rosemary and garlic marinade.
(Please note: Guests can select only one protein per person)

Protein selections include:
-Flat Iron Steak
-Chicken Breast
-Portobello Mushroom

In addition to a protein selection all picnics include the following sides:
-Garden herb salsa verde
-Seasonal grain salad with estate vegetables
-Garden crudité with a seasonal tapenade
– House made focaccia with Delicato Olive Oil
– Chef Britny’s Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Brownies for dessert

(Menu subject to change).

As a bonus the Black Stallion Winery insulated cooler we provide is yours to keep!

Pricing: $60 per person
Club Member Price: $50 per person

Please Note: Bottles of Black Stallion Winery wine are selected and purchased separately upon arrival to enjoy with your picnic. We’ll provide a list of Chef recommended wines to enjoy with your picnic.

• Experience allows for two hours from the time of reservation
• By reservation only
• For guests 21 and older – this is an adult experience and cannot accommodate children.
• Suitable for groups of 2-6
• No outside food or drink permitted
• Wine tasting not included (separate reservation required)

Book Now

Outdoor Seated Wine Tasting

Take in the beauty of the Napa Valley, outdoors on our terrace and enjoy a flight of 4 Black Stallion wines at your reserved table. When you arrive for your appointment, you will select from a menu of curated wine tastings. You can also enhance your experience with a cheese and charcuterie pairing.

Thursday – Monday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (last reservation at 3:30 pm) Parties of 1 – 4 may book online. For groups of 5 – 8, please call the tasting room at (707-227-3250) for availability.

Kindly note that reservations are required for this wine tasting. Please allow an hour to fully enjoy the tasting experience.

· Signature Tasting (Taste 4 Limited Production Winery Exclusive Wines): $55/person – Complimentary for Black Stallion Wine Club Members
· Prestige Tasting (Taste 4 of our most Prestigious Red Wines): $85/person – Complimentary for Black Stallion Prestige and Signature Members, 50% off for all other Black Stallion Wine Club Members
· Cheese and Charcuterie Pairing (serves two): $40/$30 for BSEW wine club members

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