Von Strasser Winery

Looong overdue, but better late than never to quickly share my two cents on the excellent estate cabernet sauvignon and lineup of single vineyard cabs within the Diamond Mountain AVA. Though it was several years ago, I still clearly remember the intimate tasting experience we had on a hot, sunny day out on the patio. Our hostess was very gracious and did a wonderful job of sharing the story of Von Strasser with us. We were even lucky enough to meet Rudy Von Strasser himself.
The cabs themselves are notably different than many of the huge, opulent ones that define those made from the fruit in Howell Mountain, Mt. Veeder, Oakville, Rutherford and so forth. How exactly will be up to your palate, but I can at least say that I thoroughly enjoyed the portfolio and was especially blown away by the petit verdot port (coming from someone who generally can’t stand sweet wines of any kind).

Reservation only. It was raining when we went so we didn’t get a full tour and only stayed in the tasting rooms but John, our server there, was an absolute delight. He was unpretentious and knowledgeable and made our experience very pleasant. At one point, he had to step out to get a case of wine for another customer who dropped by to pick up his order, and the customer entertained us with stories of how much he and his partner adore Von Strasser.
Kind of a hole in the wall but a must visit in my opinion. Excellent wines. Spent far too much money here but I can’t wait to open some of the bottles.

This was our first visit to Napa and Von Strasser was the high point of our trip. The location near Calistoga protects it from the surging mobs that rush up and down the valley and enhances the private feel of the experience. Kerry is every bit the relaxed professional and lead our party into the cave for a tasting. Although decidedly more modern, the cellar was reminiscent of the Pommery champagne cellars in Reims.
The artistry at Von Strasser is in the blending and the ability of the winemaker to move back and forth through different buildings to achieve specific effects. You must take home several cabs and appreciate Kerry as you guide through your experience.

Absolutely INCREDIBLE winery. It’s kind of off the beaten path, but, so worth the find!!! John was a great host, he made us feel like family there. Wines are phenomenal — just be prepared to spend a bit of $$$. Again, so worth it. The experience itself was top notch. Thanks John. :) we will definitely be coming back to see you!

What a pleasure to have been guided around Von Strasser’s estate and cave. To get a sense of place for wine I’ve had the pleasure of enjoy is a powerful experience, but it resinated more deeply for me here. There’s just something about Mountain fruit and Diamond mountain offers grace and finesse in ways I just can’t seem to find in other parts of Napa and surrounding mountain sites.
I am spoiled to have been able to enjoy offerings from Von Strasser from many different vintages. Perhaps its the terrior of Diamond Mountain, perhaps it’s Rudy’s touch and the attention to detail from the entire staff at Von Strasser or pehaps its the 13.5% abv, but these cabs are built to last. It’s a strange thing to drink wine from your birth year or when you were 6 and be blown away by the silky finesse. I had the pleasure of enjoying a 94 estate cab just the other day that showed in such incredible ways. Still ton of life on that wine, cork in perfect condition. And that was from a 750ml bottle. Imagine how well these wines will last in larger formats.
A truly outstanding winery with remarkable wines and hospitality. Thank you Kerry for providing us with such a beautiful and memorable experience. Thanks to Rudy and the other staff for taking time to say hello and chat.

Great experience and even better hospitality, thanks Kerry (sp). Quite location off the path, we went specifically for the G.V. which is a great summer time white wine.

We experienced a relaxed, informative, and personal cave tour, pairing great reds with delicious chocolates. The tour guide, Carey, was gracious to give a tour to just two of us after the posted closing time, and started us off with a nice rosé. It was a refreshing alternative to the slick, touristy vineyards, pushing the hard sell. Rounding up from 4.5.

Do yourself a favor — make a reservation at Von Strasser and taste seven of the very best cabernets on earth. The experience itself is typically hosted in their beautiful cave, seated with some of the friendliest, most helpful staff in the business. I just can’t say enough good things about Von Strasser — this is one of my favorite wineries on the planet.
BTW — ignore any reviews that complain about needing an appointment: it is the law for this area. Von Strasser has no choice in the matter. :-)

The most wonderful winery experience i have every had. We did a tasting in the wine caves and it was just such a amazing experience. Kari our host was so knowledgeable and really helped explained the different wines. And explain to a novice like me the intricacies of the wines.

Wow this is an awesome winery. World renowned for their cabs, they could have been pretentious like some other wineries we encountered. I have never seen so many 90+ cabs in a portfolio, all the way up to 98. Nick is a long time employee and was our personal host. Very knowledgeable and personable, was intimate with all things Von Strasser, as well as everything to do and eat in Calistoga. Go for the cave tour with chocolate pairings.

I’m not a fan of whites but their Gruner wine is AMAZING! Best white wine I had during my 4 day Napa visit. We didn’t have an appointment but they still accommodated us as we arrived at 10:45. The staff was friendly and all of their wines were of good quality (my favorite was their Malbec). I recommend making an appointment to get the full experience of this winery!

Serious cab tasting at 10am… loved it! Very intimate and private tasting. Great wines!

What a great winery! I was recommended this place by a friend who has met Rudy, the owner, in the past. When we went there, John took us into the caves for a tasting and he really was a great host, so hospitable and generous with his time. We did end up buying small quantities of wine (because we live outside of the US, it is hard to travel with a lot of bottles!) but it was tempting to buy a lot more — we even enquired about shipping options, FYI they do exist for some countries but not where we live :(Go for great wine, to experience the cave and to meet a really friendly team.

Did the wine and cheese pairing here in the cave with John. He was very friendly and made us feel welcome.
The atmosphere was so relaxing, and so unlike the crowded tasting rooms in Napa. John told us about the history of the winery and the wines. Myself and 3 friends who visited are partial to reds, and we really enjoyed all of the cabs that we tasted with the gourmet cheeses they were paired with. They were all fabulous wines. Was well worth the $ 40 pp fee, though it was waived because I joined the wine club.

A very charming family owned vineyard tucked away in Calistoga. Even though it is fairly far north, the journey here is worth it every time. I discovered that cabs from Diamond Mountain are particularly yummy to me and I’ve been drinking them almost exclusively for the past 2 months.
During one of my visits, a wine maker luncheon, I had the chance to meet Rudy. He is such a great and fun-​loving guy who makes everyone feel like a close personal friend. Every one of the staff members are so great that they often get poached by other vineyards!

On a warm sunny day in early March, my friends and I spent the afternoon basking in the beautiful hills of Von Strasser. We were warmly greeted, walked through several tastings, and soaked up the glorious sun.
I had never been wine tasting before, so I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but the warm-​hearted staff seems more like a family, complete with two adorable labradors, Echo and Donner who are both quite entertaining in their own very specific ways. Within no time I felt completely at home.
Upon arrival, you’re taken into a small building where you’re given a refreshing glass of white wine to sip on. You then work your way out to the patio, where you gradually go from crisp rose to the bolder and more complet reds. Each wine is explained in great detail, you’re shown how to properly prepare and sip it, and then a discussion opens up about what you’re tasting, what the notes are, and how the grape in that particular varietal came to be.
Walking to the cellar and seeing where the wine is aged was really cool. We were actually there to witness a casking process, and walked through the small cellar and seeing all of those barrels brought home what a small-​run business really is, and the great pride in which they take in creating something so special was apparent.
I left with three bottles — two red, one rose — and can’t bring myself to open them quite yet, as the memory of experiencing them for the fist time is pretty precious to me. This is a great winery to visit to lear, tase, and enjoy the environment in which wine is created, literally from the ground up. The wine ain’t bad, either ;).

Great cabs. I’ll let other Unilocalers get into the technical descriptions. Bottomline, you’ll have to taste for yourself. Also, the staff was friendly and knowledgeable. And if you’re nice and call ahead, they may just let you taste in their cave.
Finally, as we were leaving the cave back to the tasting room Mr. Rudy Von Strasser pulled-​up in his pick-​up truck and so, our tour guide stopped and introduced us. Anyway, my party went inside and I stayed behind and shot the breeze with him. He was humble, had a desire to ask us questions and get to know us, if only briefly, and was very appreciative of our visit.

Have you ever had an amazing experience, but been unable to recapture it when you came back to the venue? Sometimes, the magic simply doesn’t return. I’m pleased to report that’s NOT what happened to me on my second visit to Von Strasser Winery. Not only was the old magic there, it had and waxed stronger and grown more intense in my absence.
On a wine tasting trip last summer, we made a tasting appointment for what turned out to be a beautiful, hot and sunny Friday afternoon. My friend (who had never visited Von Strasser before) and I arrived and were greeted by Lindsay Faith. Even though we had been scheduled for a Patio Tasting, Lindsay suggested that we escape the heat by adjourning to the Cave
. Von Strasser’s wine Cave has a very special ambiance; it’s serene, cool, and elegant. There, you come upon a perfectly equipped table, set for tasting
. We tasted five world-​class Diamond Mountain District wines, and enjoyed Lindsay’s enthusiasm for and knowledge of the winery, as well as her obvious viticulture expertise.
Rudy von Strasser specializes in single-​vineyard Diamond Mountain District Cabernets that are made when a particular microclimate within a vineyard produces a wine of unparalleled intensity, concentration and extraction. The wines here are truly astounding! The winery has been named «Winery of the Year» nine years in a row by Wine & Spirits magazine, and designated «the Prince of Cabernet» by Wine News.
Over and above our delightfully unexpected tasting experience in the Cave, we were fortunate enough to be the first kids on the block to taste the 2009 Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon. Like all of von Strasser’s Cabernets, I found it to be surprising approachable for such a young wine; it’s delightful and youthfully exuberant. The immediate nose is pleasing, showing concentrated blackberry, blueberry, cassis and mineral flavors.
I bought a bottle of this excellent wine to age in my wine cellar for a few years, and a bottle of the 2005 DMD Cabernet for an unnamed special occasion in the not-​to-​distant future; our $ 20 tasting fees were waived.
As a Cabernet aficionado, I have found my visits to Von Strasser Winery completely delightful, and will doubtless return to experience their unique magic many times!

There are times when fact and fiction have not basis in reality what so ever. However, all the good reviews about Von Strasser are worth it!
I was once again traveling the by-​ways of Napa looking for excellent wines when a member of the Napa Crew (That’s my wine and foodie group) asked where we should go next. «Why, Von Strasser» I said! Lucky for us we were able to get in because reservations here are the norm. In fact I watched two people who were regulars (The winery’s dog, Echo, knew the immediately and followed them around. Where others, like yours truly, could barely pet the dog… shoot, I’m glad it didn’t bite me!) get turned away because they came without reservations! Don’t make that mistake… make a reservation!
Why?
Because these are good wines!
Von Strasser (I met and talked with the owner today) is not a very big winery but the wines he does have are in league with some of Napa’s biggest names! These wines have bold taste and complexity. Members of the Napa Crew have many (and I do mean many) wine club memberships, and I’ll be dipped, if we weren’t so impressed that we purchased yet another membership!
Those who come here should expect lovely views (assuming it’s not raining, which is rare), generous pouring, personal tours, and if you work the angle right, there are pourings and either chocolate/​cheese tastings in the cave. Count me in on the cave tastings next time… the wine sells itself and I can only imagine how good it goes with food!
Again, can’t wait to return!

One mile from the main road, past the winding drive, veer a right and glide past the gates into this small hillside vineyard.
My first thought: it’s like somebody’s backyard. Well technically speaking, a 3 acre backyard.
We made reservations for wine tasting at 1:30pm on a weekday. Ben must’ve ESP (or was it the obvious fact that we were the only people there?) because when we walked in he greeted us by first name.
The tasting room is not fancy. It basically looks like an office and there’s a bar that can fit 4 people. (for big groups, enjoy your tasting outside on their deck) But I’ve never felt more welcomed at a winery before. Within 5 minutes of us getting there, Ben had us laughing, poured us the first taste (a Rose) and indulged me by playing Kenny Chesney on his PC.
Sweet.
We had 5 tastes, 3 of which were Cabs. Pours were more than adequate and breadsticks are available to cleanse your palate. Their 2010 Rose is crisp and reminds me of strawberries. Their Gruner Veltliner makes Von Strasser (probably) the only winery to produce this varietal in Napa, but it didn’t appeal to me.
For Russian River valley Pinot noir lovers, you’d probably like their 2007 Diamond Mountain Cabernet. Fruit forward but softer style cab.
While this isn’t my first time tasting Zinfandel at a winery, it’s certainly my first time buying one. I’m surprised that their Zin is not jammy like other wineries in Napa, it’s really well balanced and has a silky finish. Well worth the $ 40!
If you’re looking for that fun, casual and informative wine tasting experience that’s away from the tourist crowds in Napa, come here. Kudos to Ben who really made this experience a fantastic one. If customers were treated this way in all the wineries, we’d be more than willing to spend our hard earned money. You don’t even need to get us tipsy.