Priest Ranch Wine

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of attending an LA Wine Writers luncheon at AOC in West Hollywood—a perfect setting to explore the elegant yet approachable wines of Priest Ranch, a family-owned estate located high in the mountains of Napa Valley.  This was a phenomenal wine experience. Paired with a thoughtful three-course menu, the tasting highlighted both the range of the estate and the passion behind each bottle.

I had the opportunity to meet Cody Hurd, head winemaker at Priest Ranch, who brings a refreshingly down-to-earth perspective to his craft. Cody has built his expertise over 16 years of hands-on experience at Priest Ranch.  He stepped into the head winemaker role in 2022 and his philosophy is straightforward yet impactful: “My goal is to make wines that showcase the best of what the property has to offer.” Living on the estate, surrounded by the vines, Cody’s deep connection to the land is palpable.

We also had the pleasure to be joined by Judd Wallenbrock, Priest Ranch’s CEO. With over 40 years in the wine industry (including time spent working alongside Robert Mondavi) Judd is a firm believer of the Mondavi tenet, “wine, food, and the arts are the keys to a gracious way of life.”  This sentiment was on full display throughout the afternoon with Priest Ranch Winery.

Named after James Joshua Priest, an Ohio native who ventured west during the California Gold Rush in the 1850s, the estate today spans over 1,600 acres. In 2004, Allan Chapman acquired the estate and established Priest Ranch Wines in 2007.

Their tasting room in Yountville is a great stop when you’re in the area, especially if you're looking for a unique tasting opportunity.  They also have a restaurant – The Kitchen at Priest Ranch Winery – which is a lovely spot for a casual Breakfast or Lunch while in Napa.

They offer a variety of tasting experiences that reflect their laid-back but quality-driven vibe.  A few options that sound particularly appealing include:

• Taste the Estate – a classic flight of their core wines

• Bacon & Wine Tasting – four cuts of pork belly expertly paired with estate wines (fat + tannin = magic)

• Taste the Terroir – affectionately dubbed the “eat dirt” tasting, this includes a wine and chocolate pairing focused on the property's unique soils

Now let’s dig into the food and wine enjoyed during this luncheon!

Welcome Wine:

2024 Priest Ranch Rosé (Rosé of Syrah) - Barrel-fermented and aged for seven months in neutral French oak, this rosé is focused on purity of fruit and texture. Aromas of rose petal, fresh strawberry, and grapefruit lead into a bright, balanced palate with notes of rhubarb, cherry, and watermelon.

First Course Pairing:

Heirloom tomato, beluga lentils, piquillos, purslane, labneh & mint

• 2024 Sauvignon Blanc – Fermented in stainless steel with native yeast. No malolactic fermentation, so it stays crisp and focused. Tropical notes with a citrus backbone. Straightforward, clean, and food-friendly.

• 2024 Grenache Blanc – Also stainless steel–fermented, but with some lees stirring for added texture. Pear, honeysuckle, and white peach come through clearly. There's a bit more complexity here —this would work well with cream-based or lightly spiced dishes.

Second Course Pairing:

Hanger steak, marinated eggplant, peppers & pine nuts

• 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon – Shows the hallmarks of Napa Valley Cab: ripe cherry, spice, and dark chocolate notes, with a fresh lift on the finish. Balanced and approachable.

• 2019 “Snake Oil” Cabernet Sauvignon – From higher-elevation vineyards and aged 24 months in mostly new French oak. Concentrated but not overdone, with dark plum, cedar, and spice. The tannins are polished, and the structure allows for excellent aging potential. This was a clear standout.

Third Course Pairing:

Bittersweet chocolate torta with caramel, vanilla whip & espresso

• 2021 Proprietary Blend “Remedy” – A Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Merlot. Aromatically layered with cherry cola and tea leaf, leading into a palate of dark chocolate and red fruit. Worked perfectly with this dessert.

Bonus Pour:

2021 James Joshua Cabernet Sauvignon - Priest Ranch’s flagship wine. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26 months in new French oak. It’s dense and structured, with deep blue fruit, cocoa, and spice. Sourced from the estate’s top vineyard blocks and fermented with native yeasts. This one retails at $145 and somehow feels like a value buy at that price point.

Final Thoughts

Priest Ranch offers everything I love about Napa - high-elevation sites, estate-grown fruit, and a winemaking team that’s genuinely invested in letting the land speak. While the Cabernet lineup is clearly a focal point, I’m eager to try their 100% Petit Verdot.

If you’re visiting Napa and looking for a tasting that’s serious about wine without being stuffy, Priest Ranch seems like it would be well worth a visit. I’m definitely adding it to my next Napa itinerary.