VGS Chateau Potelle

VGS stands for very good s**t. The branding in and of itself is memorable. We did the food and wine pairing in their private room. This is where my love affair with red blends begins with the Illegitimate. They don’t sell at any wine retailers. Have already reserved for next month with more family coming to town.

What a surprising little gem. VGS is more of a small tasting room/​venue rather than winery. It is a different type of experience compare to the commercially vineyards/​bigger tasting rooms. I highly suggest sitting outside the patio/​gazebo area (you have to request this) for your tasting (if weather permit) since you have a view of a quaint garden. The food pairing was amazing as it goes well with all of their wine that they’ve selected. It seems to be a family friendly venue since there were parents with kids. I really enjoyed their «Illegitimate”/red blend wine (includes: cab, merlot, syrah, zinfadel)) which I’ve bought 6.
As for décor, it is a cute, simple clean look, with contemporary furniture & art pieces (which wine country is known for). Reservation is required as this place can only accommodate small groups. I truly highly recommend VGS as it is worth every penny ($ 45/​person for 4 tastings + light/​appetizer food pairing). Everyone that work here is really nice too.

VGS … we had a wonderful 5 Star experience with the wine and with our Château Potelle guide, Shelby. The wines and tasting experience here is a mix of elegance and fun. The wines each have a story and a flavor not to be missed. When tasted with the food pairing you are provided a beautiful opportunity to test these with unique flavor and textures that reveal an even greater appreciation for these delicious wines. To taste Mt Veeder fruit in the heart of St Helena is a rare pleasure. Don’t miss it!*

We were late coming from another winery and the tasting was passive aggressive at best. (We called and said we were going to be late an were told to come whenever we could). We didn’t get any info about the wine or food. One of our crew is a VGS member and we still go treated like crap. Worst wine tasting experience EVER!!! I will never go back. I expected better and this winery could have gotten 3 new members. I can buy wine anywhere… I don’t need VGS!

absolutely love this place. We went to the actual vineyard many years ago and came back to try their tasting house — it was so nice. The people that work there are great, very knowledgeable — and fun — will come back again and again — love their wines

I love coming to Château Potelle — thank you Tony and Caitlyn! It is amazing coming to a place where you are remembered and treated like family. The tasting room is exquisite and the atmosphere delightful.
If you are looking for a great tasting, this is a hidden gem and definitely worth a stop.
(And the wine just speaks for itself. Amazing)

I took my mom to VGS this past week and we had a blast! Matt, Anthony, and Todd are all so knowledgeable and genuine people. If you’re looking for a delicious and wonderful experience I recommend to go there. The owner Jean Noël is so funny and did a good job with renovating the building. It’s beautiful, simple, and inviting. Outside they have a beautiful seating area and I love their bites from La Toque. As a local I truly mean it when I say it’s so delicious and a must go to in the Valley.

This may be in plain view from bustling Highway 29, but as soon as you walk from your car to the front door, you feel like you’ve travelled back to France. The wines, superb, the staff super friendly and knowledgeable– and the food experience is what you have to experience. Love the simple interior design as the layout provides space for groups of 8, or as little as for a couple like us enjoying a romantic retreat. You can even enjoy a tasting out on their patio if you’d like. Do plan ahead, put this on your itinerary and be sure to leave plenty of time to soak up this amazing food & wine tasting experience.

I had the pleasure recently, of visiting the VGS with two Bay Area gal pals. I live in Napa and this is one of my go to places when friends are visiting. I highly recommend the food and wine pairing, it is outstanding. Sit on the patio, or on hot days, escape to the AC inside.

My wife and I visited VGS this afternoon and were amazed! The small stature of the building is refreshing as Napa Valley seems overrun with large and commercial feeling wineries.
We were greeted and immediately got to it. Our host was knowledgable and friendly. He gave us enough attention to be engaging, but didn’t linger to the point where he appeared to want to be part of our conversations.
I had no idea what «VGS» was all about, but the name seems to fit the wine. Good times. Thanks for the wine and we will see y’all soon again.

I have been to this place twice now and the 2^nd time I brought a large group of friends for my birthday! The wine is always amazing. My favorites are the Chardonnay and the Rose. I have bought a bottle for home. Anthony and Stephanie were amazing hosts helping with the coordination of getting a large group with all different crazy schedules up there from the SF/​East Bay Areas. I highly recommend VGS for top notch service all around and tasty bites.

Passport Stop #3
Very Good Shit, I kid you not, this is what VGS stands for; rest assured its aptly named
First plus, this was the only place that we went to that served each wine in a different glass and showed us what a HUGE difference that it can make.
Second, there was a lovely homey vibe inside and out, just imagine being at your friends house hangout while drinking wine.
Third, our wine lady was friendly, knowledgeable and engaging. She made the experience all worth wild and really appreciated the unique experience that they offered.
Outdoor area has limited seating but it gives you more privacy and really feel like you have your own space.
My only note is that the individual cost was the highest out of the five we went so definitely glad we had the passports
Overall Thoughts
A hidden gem worth coming back again, the end!

Someday you’ll find the wine that takes you from playing the field to settling down. This is that winery. Every single wine hits it out of the park — from the blush to the unconventional illegitimate to the magnificent Petit Sirah, Zinfandel and (at its peak), Cabernet. This is the peak of every wine — the absolute summit.
My wife and I have visited three times — always expecting that we had somehow been fooled, somehow not understood something. And yet every visit has been better than the last and every bottle that we have purchased has been absolutely *magnificent*.
This is the winery that makes us want to break the hearts of every other winery we frequent. Why go anywhere else?
October 2015 update:
VGS just keeps getting better and better, if that were even possible! At this point we’ve moved up a notch in the club, leaving a few other wineries in the process. My wife and I enjoyed the lobster feast on September 26 — beautiful wine, scrumptious food, fantastic atmosphere in the garden.
The next day we so enjoyed a long, lovely tasting with Kaitlyn hosting. She’s only part time, but a terrific addition to the staff — warm, welcoming, knowledgable. Thanks, Kaitlyn for letting us talk your ear off with our travel stories! :-)

Great wine, great space. Our favorite stop of the day. Love the relaxed setting, lack of pretension, and the food offerings. Nice attention to details, glassware, and original and creative blends of varietals you won’t see anywhere else… winemaking to admire.

Every time I go to Napa, there is always a place or two that stand out from the crowd. VGS was the winner this time. We had never heard of this place, but it was part of the tastings in the St. Helena passport we bought (this was an amazing deal; 7 tastings in St. Helena for $ 60 – you can purchase it at the Chamber of Commerce). The place was relaxing and inviting. There is no bar, but instead, a couple of tables where you have a sit-​down tasting. We had 4 – 5 different wines, each paired with its own specific wine glass. I loved it. The blonde woman who provided the tastings (wish I could remember her name!) was so friendly and sweet. My boyfriend and I always have the challenge of finding something we both like. He likes pinot noirs, and I like reds I can chew. We’re just a tad on different ends of the spectrum! Well, surprisingly, we actually found a few that we both enjoyed. That NEVER happens.
I look forward to going back on my next visit. Oh, and, by the way, make sure to ask about the name «VGS.» Great story! I’m not going to spoil it for you, though.

Came here w a friend who is a member and had a fantastic tasting ($ 25) in which they brought out 5 wines and then brought us anything else off the menu we asked to taste as well. The pours were very generous and all were tasty.

Whoa! What a great find! We came here based on a friend’s recommendation and man am I glad we did!
Unlike other tasting rooms, the one here is very intimate and small, with tables to sit at rather than a large wine bar. Our server, Sammantha was fantastic. She came and sat at the table with us and explained the history of tasting room and talked to us about the owner and wines.
The Illegitimate and Syrah were personal favorites, although the Sauv Blanc and Chardonnay were also crisp and delicious.
One of the most fun things about this place is that they pair the wines with food. The kitchen was under construction when I went but I’m definitely coming back to sample the small plates and wine pairings.
One of the secrets of the Valley, I’m recommending this place to everyone.

Looking for a food and wine paring proved itself difficult in the Napa Valley. There was wine & bites, which translated in olives, crackers, nuts. Not exactly what we were looking for. We found, via internet, VGS Château. For a mere $ 45 we got to pair 4 wines with delicious bites. VGS partnered with La Toque, a brilliant Michelin starred restaurant to provided these amazing Amuse-​bouche. We were also treated to 3 extra wines, and a truffle chocolate pairing, at no charge. Our hostess, Emily, was full of southern charm. She was knowledgeable, friendly and a perfect hostess. The Château is an intimate setting. The interior is beautifully and cleverly decorated. The ambience music allowed you to step into the Rat Pack era. The wine, food, music, décor and hostess provided a memorable experience. This is definitely one of the best food/​wine pairing in Napa. Look forward to visiting again!
*Make sure you ask what VGS stand for. :)

What a delightful addition to Hwy 29.
This beautifully refurbished and meticulously decorated tasting room offers a terrifically innovative concept: a flight of awesome wines accompanied by small bites by La Toque.
We found the service super attentive and the wines worthy of a purchase.
Look for the yellow door on the east side of 29. Well worth the visit.

My favorite winery in Napa! The food and wine tasting experience is amazing and one of my favorite parts of driving up to wine county. The wine on its own is incredible and some of my all time favorites. The staff are incredibly nice and knowledge. Everyone here really takes pride in VGS and what they do and they should! It’s a truly not to be missed, fabulous spot in St. Helena.