Clos Pegase Estate Winery
Visiting Clos Pegase Estate Winery in the Calistoga AVA of Napa Valley
When people think of Clos Pegase Estate Winery in the Napa Valley, they think of mainly three things:
1. Clos Pegase Chardonnay
2. Clos Pegase Cabernet Sauvignon
3. The famous architecture of the Clos Pegase Estate Winery, and the art collection within.
My recent visit to the Hess Collection Winery, with its extensive art collection, alerted me to the presence of another winery with an impressive art collection: The Clos Pegase Estate.
Origins of the Clos Pegase Estate Winery
The original owner and creator of Clos Pegase was Jan Shrem.
He was born in Columbia to Jewish-Lebanese parents.
After emigrating to the USA as a child, he made his way through the University of California, at Los Angeles selling encyclopedias.
Then he parlayed this experience into what would become a multi-million dollar book publishing company.
Like many entrepreneurs, Jan Shrem developed a love of art and wine.
He decided to translate this into a world-class winery and art exhibition space.
After searching for the right terroir, he decided to build his winery in the Calistoga AVA of the Napa Valley, California.
Clos Pegase Architect Michael Graves
After an extensive, international competition and selection process, architect Michael Graves was chosen to design Clos Pegase.
His goal was to create a modern structure with a nod toward ancient Mediterranean architecture and culture.
Clos Pegase was completed in 1987.
Close Pegase Art and Architecture
At Clos Pegase, art, architecture, and wine are intertwined at every turn.
It is interesting to note that the name of the Applebone vineyard vineyard comes from the sculpture Applebone by Mark di Suvero, part of founder Jan Schrem’s modern art collection.
Clos Pegase inspired the Chateau Bordeaux exhibit at the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
It was the only foreign winery featured as a point of comparison to Bordeaux Chateaux.
Heritage Garden: Conservation, Biodiversity, and Style
This Heritage garden was created in the summer of 2015 to conserve water.
It also enhances the beauty of the Clos Pegase winery with its special collection of rare, drought-tolerant plants and trees.
Drought tolerant plants include 19 heritage Jubaea Chilenis “Wine Palms” — the largest West Coast collection north of Santa Barbara. Other drought-tolerant specimens, sourced from wine-growing regions around the world, include bold and ethereal spiky dasylirions,
Plants in the collection act as pollinator resources, attracting foraging bees and hummingbirds.
Clos Pegase Estate Winery Vineyards
The four vineyards of Clos Pegase are spread over 450 acres, each with unique characteristics.
Grape varietals are matched to the right location.
Mitsuko’s Vineyard
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are planted here because of the cooling breeze from San Pablo Bay. Yet the soil also has Haire clay-loam similar to that of of the Right Bank of Bordeaux. Cabernet Sauvignon grows best in the section known as Graveyard Hill with its own unique rocky, well-drained soil and an aspect that maximizes sun exposure
Tenma Vineyard
The Tenma Vineyard is located in the foothills of Mount St. Helena. The rocky terrain is well-drained with a very sparse topsoil which is a perfect combination for growing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes here form the basis for the Hommage Cabernet Sauvignon.
Applebone Vineyards
You can see the beautiful Applebone vineyards (four acres of them) from the tasting room. This vineyard is devoted to Cabernet Sauvignon because of the gravely Bale loam soil. Only one clone is used, the French Dijon Clone 191. This clone ensures small and concentrated fruit that is high quality and unique. Wine geeks may find it interesting that high density plantings along with rootstock selection 420A helps limit the vigor. This keeps the vines in balance and eliminates the green, unripe flavors which can be an issue with some wines made of Cabernet Sauvignon.
Dunaweal Vineyard
The Dunaweal Vineyard has a fine Bale loam soil with a layer of gravel and a richer topsoil than the other vineyards. Bordeaux varieties such as Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and other red grapes such as Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Syrah grow well here.
The Clos Pegase Estate Winery Tasting Experience
The tasting room overlooks the Heritage Garden, Applebone Vineyard and offers a fabulous view of the Mayacamas Mountains. The first tier estate flight includes a taste of five limited production estate-grown wines. It is $35. Prices go up after this according to the various experiences.
You can also choose an interactive walking tour of their Calistoga estate, caves and bottling facility and a sampling of five limited production and estate-grown wines along the way.
Then there is the Connoisseur all-inclusive tour, tasting & charcuterie pairing where you will learn about the history of Clos Pegase and taste some of their library wines.
You can also find fun events such as progressive tastings, and a private picnic event – yet remember the majority of these special tasting events must be reserved in advance.
Clos Pegase Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting
Today I am going to limit myself to discussing just two of the Clos Pegase Estate Winery winea.
2016 Napa Valley Estate Tenma Vineyard Clos Pegase Cabernet Sauvignon
This has a dark purple core and aromas of cassis, wood, cigar box and black currant – very similar to a Bordeaux wine. A few moments later you will get more nuances of aromas and flavors such as graphite and wet clay. A delicious wine that punches well above its weight.
2017 Mitsuko’s Vineyard Carneros Clos Pegase Chardonnay
This is a deliciously rich Chardonnay made in a restrained French style, with barrel maturation and full malolactic conversion for that luscious texture and flavor. Discreet use of oak with a long length of finish.
Tips for Visiting Clos Pegase Winery Estate in the Napa Valley
It is important to look at the website closely at least a week before your visit to allow enough time to make the necessary reservations.In busy times like summer or holidays, you might need to book well in advance.
List of Essentials (Marisa’s personal recommendations
- A hat, especially for sunny days.
- Sunglasses for the same reason
- Sunscreen very necessary in summer.
- A charger for your device so not to miss once-in-a-lifetime pictures.
- Your favorite bottled water
- A cup for expectorating wine in case it is not provided.
- A small notebook to record details about the wine or vineyards.
- Comfortable walking shoes for vineyard visits
Logistical Information
Depending on traffic, it may take two hours – or more – to visit Clos Pegase in the Napa Valley.
Be certain to allow enough time for travel.
The Clos Pegases Estate Winery Club
The Wine Club offers many advantages, including discounts and some free tastings.
Click this link for Pegase WInery Club Information
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Final Tips
Consider this face cover to block out the strong sun – more effective than sunscreen.
Wear a hat – this one is made from a fabric with sun blocking agents inside of it.
Think about a sun shawl to protect you as you stay under the sun
Clos Pegase Driving Directions
Address
Clos Pegase Winery & Tasting Room
Open daily: 10:00-5p.m.
1060 Dunaweal Lane
Calistoga, CA 94515
Driving Directions
From Hwy 101
- Take the Hwy 37 exit to Hwy 121
• Turn left onto Hwy 121 to Hwy 29
• Turn left (north) at Hwy 29 and continue toward Calistoga
• Turn right on Dunaweal Lane
From I-80
- Take Napa turnoff in Vallejo, follow signs to Hwy 29
• Turn right (north) at Hwy 29
• Follow signs for “Calistoga, 29 North”
• Continue north on Hwy 29 towards Calistoga
• Turn right on Dunaweal Lane.MORE ABOUT AUTHOR MARISA DVARI**Follow Marisa on Instagram here**Marisa D’Vari DipWSET holds the highest qualification from the Wine and Spirits Educational Trust (WSET), representing three years of intense study. In addition, she has completed the “Honours Level” of the WSET, representing an additional year writing a thesis.Key Wine CredentialsD’Vari has several of the most important wine credentials in the world, including the “Certified Sommelier” designation from the Court of Master Sommeliers and the Certified Wine Educator qualification from the Society of Wine Educators. She has several blind tasting and other diplomas from the American Sommelier Association and Sommelier Society of America.
Wine Competition Judge
Marisa D’Vari is a judge for the International Wine Challenge and International Wine and Spirits Competiton, as well as the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles Wine Competition
Associations
D’Vari is the first American member of the UK’s Association of Wine Educators and a member of the global Circle of Wine Writers. She is a long standing member of FIJEV, the International Federation of Journalists of Wine and Spirits.
D’Vari is a Finalist in the 2019 Millesime Blog Competition, and the author of five non-fiction books.