Featured Winery:  Alpha Omega

The Alpha Omega Winery lies on the east side of Highway 29 in the Napa Valley...

Host Vincent (left) and winemaker Jean Hoefliger in the tasting room of Alpha Omega...

Vincent breaks out a barrel sampling as a premium tasting option...

  Alpha-Omega’s founders, Robin Baggett and Eric Sklar, have pulled out all stops to realize their dream of producing first-rate wine.  The winery specializes in big reds, including all Bordeaux varietals, but concentrating on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  In addition to the Bordeaux varietals, Alpha Omega also produces a nice Chardonnay, Syrah and Petit Syrah.


   They source these wines from high quality fruit grown in some of Napa Valley’s most prestigious vineyards; places such as To Kalon, Stagcoach and Hudson vineyards.  Their stated goal is to produce a wine that reflects the natural excellence of the Napa Valley terroir

 

    Energetic passion…Those two words best describe the mood that engulfs those associated with Alpha Omega, one of Napa Valley’s newest wineries.  From the founders to the people working behind the tasting bar, everybody at this place seems jazzed about producing a high quality wine. 


    Located off Highway 29 in the small town of Rutherford (to the right as you head north), Alpha Omega appears as a contemporary winery situated behind a vineyard that fronts the road.  You can see the winery’s four fountains spewing water above the vines.  The winery requires no advance reservations for a visit or tasting, and the winery remains open to the public between 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.  I get the impression that the extended hours of tasting as compared to most Napa Valley wineries reflects the extra effort these people make to produce superior wine.  Tasting options begin at $10.00. 


    The architect did a lovely job in constructing the building.  It features an airy tasting room, lit by natural sunlight and enhanced by soaring wooden-beamed ceilings.  The tasting room empties out onto an expansive patio where visitors can enjoy the wine while surrounded by the natural setting of the vineyards. 

   In order to achieve this goal, they have recruited an excellent staff.  Winemaker Jean Hoefliger hails from Switzerland, and has worked in some of the most renowned wineries in Bordeaux, including Chateau Lynch-Bages.  Jean comes off as an intelligent, friendly person consumed by his desire to accomplish the near impossible—to create the perfect wine.  He views winemaking as an art that can never quite attain perfection; but that challenge motivates him.  He has a philosophy that with each vintage he can learn something that will help him make an even better wine the next time around.  He welcomes both the advice from all experts in the industry and the feedback from Alpha Omega customers.   And in the case of Alpha Omega, he can rely on the advice from some of the best international wine consultants.  That list includes Michel Rolland of Bordeaux fame, widely considered as one of the finest winemakers in the world.  Mr. Rolland consults with Alpha Omega on a regular basis.


    The staff seems just as excited as the winemaker about the quality wines produced at this winery.  On the day I visited, Vincent hosted our tasting, and took us on an impromptu tour of the premises.  Note that my involvement with the website probably had a lot to do with the tour and getting the opportunity to meet the winemaker.  Notwithstanding, Vincent did an excellent job of explaining the wines and had a genuine enthusiasm about his work and the winery’s future.   After visiting Alpha Omega and tasting their wines, I can certainly understand the basis for that enthusiasm.   I heartily recommend checking out this property the next time you find yourself in the Napa Valley.


    For a complete summary of the wines available at Alpha Omega, and additional information about the winery, contact them at (707)963-9999 or visit their website at www.aowinery.com.