This past visit home offered multiple excuses for wine tasting at new-to-me places.  I love exploring my own backyard.  One such experience was an afternoon at Failla Vineyards.  My first experience with Failla was back in March when my Dad introduced me to the label during our trip to Ohio.  

He wanted to bring me back to the winery for a formal tasting.  The tastings are held in a rustic farm house set back on the property just off Silverado Trail between St. Helena and Calistoga.  

After tasting through the wines we toured the beautiful caves and barrel storage area.  

Back to the lodge for more tasting.  We ended up tasting through all 4 of their current chardonnays and 4 pinot noirs.  It was great to see the progression of the wines, as the vineyard locations of each wine really determined its overriding characteristics.  You could taste the salinity of the ocean breezes that inhabit the Estate Vineyard at Fort Ross Seaview, and the lush ripe fruit of the Keefer Ranch.