Range: 1 to 9 (9 is best, 5 is average)
Stylish, casual tasting room cooperative, Chardonnays and Cabernet blends, reservations required.
www.ideologycellars.com
When I first started enjoying Napa Valley Cabernets, I discovered Koves-Newlan’s 2002 Cabernets being sold at my local wine shop. These cabernets were delicious when young and for just $10 a half-bottle, I’m kicking myself for not having bought more. After being unable to locate more bottles, I decided to visit the winery for a tasting. When I arrived at the Oak Knoll facility, a worker informed me that the winery was no longer open. (Research suggests that they fell victim to bankruptcy.) About a year later I noticed the Silenus sign appear and was glad that somebody had taken over, but I was never curious to return. Recently, my wine-tasting buddy suggested tasting at Ideology Cellars, so I made an appointment and discovered that they are part of the Silenus Vintners cooperative now operating at the former Koves-Newlan winery site. So, naturally I was looking forward to my upcoming visit.
The Silenus (and Ideology) tasting room in Oak Knoll
The tasting room was grafted onto the existing winery operations building when the new owners acquired the property in 2006. The exterior of the winery tasting room is understated, but its most prominent feature is easily visible. A gently rounded glass wall graces the front of the building and makes for an interesting view both into and out of the tasting room. The interior uses an interesting application of contemporary décor applied with restraint. There is ample use of glass, both for walling off tasting areas and for bringing in the outdoor light, so the tasting room is softly bathed in natural light. Rich colors grace the walls and accentuate the woodwork and glow in the warm lighting. Just beyond the tasting bar, a pair of glass doors opens to the barrel room providing a mid-level view of the two-story high arrangements of working wine barrels. The best part of the visit is getting a whiff of the thick aroma emanating from all those wine barrels.
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| The tasting bar at Ideology/Silenus. |
As Ideology Cellars is part of the Silenus Vintners collective, your tasting experience there may include wines from other wine labels produced at the same facility. My tasting experience started off with two different 2010 Chardonnay’s made by Ideology (one with more oak and one with more steel), followed by a 2010 Pinot Noir by Coleman Nicole, the 2009 Ideology Proprietary Blend (mostly Merlot this year), and the 2008 Ideology Reserve Block Cabernet. My favorite was the Proprietary Blend, while my friend bought a bottle of the Pinot Noir.
Based on this experience, I would rate the winery as a 7 and the wines offered as a 6.
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