Cuvaison unveils stunning new open-air boathouse pavilions at its historic Tai Vineyard in Los Carneros

NAPA VALLEY, LOS CARNEROS, California – July 30, 2024 – Cuvaison is pleased to announce the unveiling of two open-air boathouse pavilions at its beautiful estate in Napa Valley’s famed Los Carneros appellation. Designed by renowned wine architect Douglas Thornley, who is a principal at Goring & Straja Studio, the opening of the boathouses marks the completion of an ambitious two-phase project that includes an expanded Tasting Salon with a 2,500-square-foot Vineyard Patio overlooking Cuvaison’s scenic pond. Cantilevered above the pond at the winery’s entrance and extending out over the water, the new boathouses immerse visitors in the serene and secluded setting of the winery’s sustainably certified estate. Offering expansive views of Cuvaison’s lower vineyard and the pond’s thriving natural setting, the boathouses are now available by reservation to club members and guests for small, private wine tastings and elevated al fresco paired culinary tastings.

Located at 1221 Duhig Rd in Los Carneros and situated an hour from San Francisco and just 10 minutes from downtown Napa, Cuvaison’s bucolic estate is home to the Cuvaison Winery and Tasting Salon, as well as the historic Tai Vineyard. While Tai Vineyard encompasses 125 acres of vines, the remaining 275 acres have been preserved in their natural state, making it one of the most picturesque destinations in all of wine country. “We have been fortunate to be the stewards of this spectacular estate for 45 years,” said Daniel Zepponi, president and CEO of Cuvaison. “In addition to being the source of our acclaimed cool-climate wines, it is filled with magical nooks and crannies that make it unlike anywhere else. Our goal with the Boathouses is to highlight the natural beauty of our sustainably managed estate while creating waterfront settings that are as beautiful and memorable as our wines.”

For Zepponi, the opportunity to work with architect Douglas Thornley to create an idyllic setting for tastings on the shores of the pond was a long-held dream. “Because waterfront tastings are so rare in wine country, we wanted to truly open up the pond to our guests. While there are no actual boats at our boathouses, they are designed to recreate the feeling of walking across a jetty to a boat slip, and the feeling of leaving your worries and stress behind when you reach the water. At the same time, our pond’s natural flora and fauna and many species of seabirds provide a microcosm of the cool-climate, marine-influenced terroir that makes our vineyard so ideal for Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.”

To support the events and tastings offered at the new locations, the boathouses also include an outdoor service area, additional restrooms, and expanded wheelchair accessible ramps and parking. In addition to being available for small to medium-sized private tastings, the boathouses can be reserved for the Tasting in a boathouse. This private, immersive experience begins with a walking tour of the vineyard and cellar, followed by an intimate tasting in the boathouses where guests can enjoy views of the pond and lower vineyard. Paired with seasonal food accompaniments, the Tasting in a boathouse features four estate-grown red and white wines, including wines from Cuvaison’s acclaimed sister winery on Mount Veeder, Brandlin Estate.

“In 2018 and 2019, when we were almost 50 years old,^e anniversary and planning major improvements to our estate, Dan and I conceived of the Boathouses as a way to create an even deeper connection between our guests and the beauty of our estate. Bringing that vision to life has been incredibly exciting,” said Jaki Palacios, Cuvaison’s Vice President of Marketing & Trade Development. “With the opening of new resorts and a renewed appreciation for the elegance and beauty of true cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this is an extremely exciting time for both Los Carneros and Cuvaison. With our new Boathouses, we have created a tasting experience unlike any other. Even though we are only an hour away from the hustle and bustle of San Francisco, the tranquil setting of the Boathouses feels like it is a hundred miles away.”

Cuvaison’s new boathouses are open daily for tastings by appointment at 10:30am and 1:30pm at a cost of $150 per person for groups of up to six, with a 15% discount for club members. For larger groups or more information, please contact [email protected].

ABOUT CUVAISON
Founded in 1969, Cuvaison is one of the pioneering wineries that shaped the modern era of California viticulture and brought Napa Valley to the global stage as one of the world’s most revered wine regions. More than five decades later, Cuvaison remains true to its pioneering roots. Cuvaison remains an independent, family-owned, working winery dedicated to crafting estate-grown Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from its historic Tai Vineyard in Napa Valley’s chilly Los Carneros appellation. Recognized as quintessential expressions of cool-climate Napa Valley varietals, Cuvaison’s wines offer seamless balance, vibrant fruit and vineyard-inspired character and complexity. For more information, visit cuvaison.com.