Maxville Winery
Maxville Winery Cabernet Sauvignon winemaker George Bursick of Maxville Wine Speaks
“We focus on the Cabernet Sauvignon grape variety,” says George Bursick, executive winemaker at Maxville Winery in the Chiles Valley AVA.
Chiles Valley is in the Napa Valley, just 20 minutes from bustling St. Helena with its shops and restaurants down the Silverado Trail.Chiles Valley is in the Napa Valley, just 20 minutes from bustling St. Helena with its shops and restaurants down the Silverado Trail.
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The Maxville Lake Winery and its excellent Cabernet Sauvignon based and other wines has been around for decades.
But it’s only in the last year – especially the last four months under the guardianship of George Bursick – that the wines and gorgeous grounds are being recognized.
We know Maxville winery for its high end Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varietal wines, along with top Sauvignon Blanc (which I enjoyed with crab at the Waterfront restaurant in San Francisco.
Though I met George Bursick earlier in New York, today I meet him on his own turf – the gorgeous Maxville winery. Here you can not beliee how much top end Cabernet Sauvignon I enjoyed.
Maxville Winery in Napa Valley’s Chiles Valley
The Maxville winery is in the Chiles Valley AVA of the Napa Valley. It is just 15 brief minutes from quaint St. Helena with its world class restaurants and hotels.
You feel you are in a more rustic Napa wine country as soon as you turn off Highway 29.
You feel you are in a more rustic Napa wine country as soon as you turn off Highway 29.
If you are a passenger (especially a passenger from a big busy city) you will gawk with every twist and turn.
If you are the driver, you better keep your eyes on the road and watch out for bicyclists.
The scenic drive includes glimpses of a lake, incredible looking trees, and landscapes so stunning you will want to pull over to take a picture.
I did not see any Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon or other vines. The vineyards for these “money grapes” are safely tucked away from the main road.
The vineyards for these “money grapes” are safely tucked away from the main road.
The drive reminds me a bit of my visit to the Vineyard 7 & 8 Winery
Maville Winery : Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Tasting
As I enter the Maxville winery I am greeted by George Bursick.
I call him George, ...yet it is also possible to call him “Mr. Mouthfeel.”
It is also possible to call him “Mr. Mouthfeel.”
This is especially true when the silky texture of Cabernet Sauvignon is concerned.
George received this nickname because he wrote his thesis on mouthfeel when he attended at UC Davis.
George is one of the famous UC Davis class of 1978, a year that produced many of the most celebrated winemakers in California today.
While others wrote their thesis on things like aroma and yeast, George describes himself as a “texture guy.” This is why his thesis is on mouthfeel.
To start the tasting, he pours Sauvignon Blanc 2016. And as we taste the Sauvignon Blanc 2016, I sense fresh, floral aromas and vibrant acidity.
And yes, a silky texture.
Maxville Winery : California Napa Valley History
George takes me into a small room. Inside the room are photographs from the men who helped build the Napa area. These include George Yount, for which “Yountville” was named.
Here is a 1 minute video of George Bursick speaking about Maxville and future plans.
Maxville Winery Tour
Outside of the vineyard, a great deal of the 40 million dollar renovation went into this Napa Valley reception room as well as the winery itself.
Gone, says George, are the gigantic murals of American Indians cooking food.
In their place are lovely reception rooms and (coming soon) a new state-of-the-art kitchen that will feature celebrity chefs like Martin Yan.In their place are lovely reception rooms and (coming soon) a new state-of-the-art kitchen that will feature celebrity chefs like Martin Yan.
The plan is to have chef demonstrations and tasting dinners.
Maxville Winery Entertainment Center – New Plans
The Maxville winery has an actual lake, and 1000 acres of gorgeous grounds.
The lake is presently used for irrigation, yet some exciting upcoming plans include
- a concert series featuring famous local musicians like neighbor Boz Scaggs
- remote control sailing regatta
- picnic events for wine club members and VIPs
Maxville Winery is one of the few Napa Valley wineries that has an actual lake.
Another is Quintessa Winery
Other Maxville Winery Activities
The winery has several motorized, all-terrain vehicles for VIPs to explore the 1000 acres of territory and vineyards here.
There are also several ATVs (all terrain vehicles) and a new Humvee so visitors can tour the 1000 acres efficiently
On my last visit, I heard there was a sixty foot waterfall not too far out.
Coming soon to the Maxville Winery is also a Buddha themed garden with warm springs.
The Napa Valley Maxville Winery Grand Plan
George and the Maxville team are putting together a grand plan to draw attention to the Maxville winery.
The plan focuses on the excellent quality of the Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley and other variety wines.
Yet the plan will also highlight the many exciting experiences that visitors can have at the Maxville winery.
This goes beyond the tasting room.
Programs will highlight the association between wine and cuisine.
And wine and fun.
And wine and adventure.
And wine and music.
Maxville Winery: George Bursick
George is fun, vivacious individual.
He is a drummer besides being a winemaker.He is a drummer besides being a winemaker.
He has many famous musician friends. And many friends who are celebrity chefs.
And in his new position, George Bursick is well using all his connections to get the word out about Maxville wine.
And the Maxville Winery Wines: What are they like?
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is the prestige, age-worthy wine at Maxville Winery.
This Chiles Valley Napa Cabernet is characterized by great intensity of flavor, ripe blackberry flavors, structured tannins that alternate between silk and satin, and a long length of finish.
In the cellar, you will also find the Bordeaux “blending grapes” like Merlot and Malbec that round out the sharp edges of Cabernet Sauvignon.In the cellar, you will also find the Bordeaux “blending grapes” like Merlot and Malbec that round out the sharp edges of Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Cellar Tour
The cellar is outside the main Maxville Winery and looks like a cave. Open Sesame!
Inside, you will find thousands of dollars – maybe even a million dollars – worth of expensive wine maturing in expensive French oak barrels.
Though “blending sessions” are usually conducted in laboratory, George indulged my desire to make my own unscientific blend of a Cabernet Sauvignon base with some Merlot.
Maxville Winery : Thoughts about Napa Valley
When I visit Maxville Winery, I see the potential for world class entertainment events and wine tasting events.
Maxville is not yet open to the public.
They require appointments (see below for contact info)
Yet the high quality of the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Maxville Winery wines and the other wines is remarkable
And the natural beauty of the lake and the rest of its 1000 acres means that visitors will soon be able to make “a day of their visit” in addition to the wine tasting.
So I am waiting for the day when celebrity chefs come to give cooking classes, and musicians give concerts in the lakeside entertainment center that is being built.
Maxville Winery Corporate and Private Events
The Maxville Winery has function rooms and it is possible to have meetings and catered events on the property.
For more information on this, please contact [email protected]
If you are interested in the wine club, with their special cuvee wines and access to special events, please contact [email protected]
Tasting Room:
4105 Chiles Pope Valley Rd.
St. Helena, CA 94574
T | (707) 965 – 9378, Ext. 105
E | [email protected]
Main Office:
4105 Chiles Pope Valley Rd.
St. Helena, CA 94574
T | (707) 965 – 9378, Ext. 107
E | [email protected]
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Quintessa Winery in the Napa Valley
See Maxville Winery in a Video
Author Marisa D’Vari
D’Vari contributes to Forbes.com, Financial Times, World of Fine Wine, Quarterly Review of Wine, Decanter Robb Report, San Francisco Chronicle, South China Morning Post, and more.
She holds the (WSET) diploma, Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, a Certified Wine Educator through the Society of Wine Educators … to see it all, please click on bio