1998 Lewelling

[Kcwhippet]

Ah, finally one I'm well acquainted with. We met them 3 years ago when we visited after a call. Anyway, here's their story. As WW said, they've been growing grapes on the same land continuosly since 1864. We met with Dave and Doug Wight (their mother Janice Lewelling's married name). They farm on 28 acres and Doug's the vineyard manager there as well as on another 275 acres for other wineries. They've been supplying Caymus, Galleron, Markham, Viader and BV for years and the Wagners at Caymus convinced them they should try their hand at making their own wine. So, they started doing just that in 1992 with Dave as the winemaker. They make two wines. The regular bottling comes from various blocks in their vineyard, and the Wight Vineyards comes from the block around their home. As you already know, IK, the wine is fabulous and the prices are great, too. The 1998 Napa bottling (496 cases) goes for $33.50 and the Wight Vineyard (175 cases) is $42. Match that against the prices the wineries they supply and it's hard to find such great wine at such great prices. If you get out to Napa you have to stop in and visit. Our last trip out, we stayed at their place for four hours. We kept trying to give them an out to kick us out so they could go about their business, but they wouldn't have it. Wonderful, friendly people and the best visit we've ever had. Since you're reciprocal, you can get their wine directly from them. Their phone is 707-963-1685 and their email is lewvyds@napanet.net.