Cairdean Vineyards

I was excited to visit Cairdean after checking out Unilocal reviews, but it fell short of my expectations. The deli on site was nice for grabbing a small lunch, along with a nice courtyard and cool fountain to enjoy. Tasting room didn’t have the energy I expect for a Napa Valley winery, and was a little lackluster with just one person pouring. There are a lot more options to check out in the area, and I don’t know if it’s worth checking out compared to the others.

This is one of the wineries my husband and I visited for my birthday. We loved the wine, the hostess, the atmosphere and the variety of flavors.

I recently made a stop at Cairdean because my friends had told me about the pork knuckle sandwich and scotch egg in their café. Since we hadn’t had lunch yet, we thought that we’d stop here before moving along to other stops. But of course, before grabbing a bite, we decided to stop for a tasting first.
We walked into the large tasting room, which was practically empty. So instead of standing around at the counter, we enjoyed our tastings on the couch. Out of the two tasting menues, we went with the Signature because the Cab Franc caught my eye.
Unfortunately, the service wasn’t that great. The woman who was pouring for us, started our first tasting by pouring our wines, then walked away. She was about to leave the tasting room, for who knows where, until I stopped her, which was when she started giving us the history and background of Cairdean and the wine she had just poured us. Either she didn’t care or just wasn’t interested in really helping us.
Fortunately, the wines were pretty good, and as we progressed through the tasting menu, it got better and better. However, we were a bit disappointed with the Cab Franc. 95% of the time, Cab Francs are amazing, but this was very anti-​climactic. Maybe it was just an off day?
To round things out, when we did finish our tastings, the café didn’t have the pork knuckle sandwich or scotch egg available that day.
BUT, that was the day and location that my boyfriend was asked to officiate his buddy’s wedding. So it all ended well!

Wonderful small vineyard and winery! Great customer service from Kim and Nicki!!! Truly passionate about the wines and relatable. Best experience our family had in all of Napa. Thanks so much!

Sarah poured my tasting and she was very sweet and chatty. Just what I was looking for! The wines were fun. I loved the unoaked Chardonnay. I told Sarah I liked Merlot and she showed me two that were both quite complex. The Sangiovese was amazing! Beautiful and new vineyard!

Cairdean is breaking from convention with an alternative summer «Whites in Flight» tasting, featuring five unique wines produced from an array of international grape varieties. Drawing inspiration from the grapes’ ancestral homes, these whites display an old world flair that will have you booking your next flight, before tasting your second sip.
Conceived by Edwin and Stacia Williams, Cairdean, meaning ‘friends’ in Scottish-​Gaelic, reflects a vision for the way wine should be shared and enjoyed. This philosophy extends beyond simply producing quality wine, to a consideration of the experience of enjoying it. In other words, this flight does offer free Wi-​Fi.
This «Whites in Flight» tasting passes over California wine country, with Napa Valley as its final destination. The wines include:
Here is where we, well just Eve at the moment, must interrupt. My taste buds were definitely whetted but to get through five whites at one time — and do tasting notes — I thought I better call in some bigger guns.
Joining me for «collective tasting notes» are Simon and Shannon Mee (Owners of Newhall Refinery and Egg Plantation), Bruce and Liz Pack («Chef Liz» has penned a few recipes for our website) and Claudia Sheridan (Owner Small Business Breakthrough, and like myself, a Level 2 Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust).
Collective Tasting
2014 Cairdean Estate Solano County Riesling (SRP $ 19.00)
13.1% alcohol, 100% stainless steel
Aroma
Brie, vanilla bean, jasmine and banana.
Flavor
Viscous, low acid, lemon; very opposite of the aroma which made it interesting. 89 Eve pts.

2014 Cairdean Estate Russian River Valley Gewürztraminer (SRP $ 24.00)
13.8% alcohol, 100% stainless steel
Aroma
Hard candy, lemon drops, elderflower and orange zest.
Flavor
Not as sweet as indicated by the nose, orange Pellegrino water and elderflower. 90 Eve pts.
2014 Cairdean Estate Napa Valley Picpoul Blanc (SRP $ 25.00)
13.4% alcohol, 100% stainless steel
Aroma
Buttered popcorn, cream, coconut, mango, honey and pear.
Flavor
Viscous, medium acid, Sauvignon Blanc-​like, lemon-​lime, pear and cream. 89 Eve pts.
2012 Cairdean Estate Napa Valley Roussanne (SRP $ 25.00)
14.1% alcohol, 30% new French oak
Aroma
Honeydew melon, hint of pineapple, lemon Starburst candy, sweet fried dough.
Flavor
Tropical fruit, tinny on the back palate, low acid, long finish, slight floral quality. 88 Eve pts.
2012 Cairdean Estate Napa Valley Fumé Blanc (SRP $ 32.00)
14.4% alcohol, 33% new French oak
Aroma
Marzipan, white peach, white pepper, lime, pear.
Flavor
Viscous, oak, lemon zest on the back palate, medium acid, crisp, herbal, lime. A favorite of Shannon’s. 89 Eve pts.

I just visited Cairdean and was very impressed. First, I want to thank Sarah in the Tasting Room for helping me score a taste of a wine that Cairdean produces that wasn’t on the tasting room menu. Thank you!!!
Cairdean has an awesome facility. You could spend all afternoon there. There’s a fantastic restaurant, a wonderful courtyard to lounge in, and an exceptionally tastefully designed Tasting Room. The wines were solid, whites and reds. I really enjoyed the Cabernet Franc.
Cairdean is a great destination for food and wine enthusiasts. Oh, one more thing, the «Deano» that’s been referred to in other reviews no longer works at Cairdean.

The staff seem more interested in making paper airplanes and flying them into the rafters than discussing their wines. Doesn’t matter since they didn’t have more than a passing knowledge of them. Wines acid forward like so many in the valley these days. Best pour was their reserve cab. Most fruit forward, good balance with residual tanins. Nice but at $ 75 list you have so many more quality choices. Disappointing because this new gen winery is reportedly one of the most techie out there but they have no real tour schedule. Maybe next time…

Tried this after dinner. Tried reds only. All absolutely lovely. Girl was inviting, great experience. Give a try, highly recommend.

Another fun time make sure and check in and get the 2 for 1 always fun and the Café/​Bakery is great

Most hospitable vineyard in Napa– a true hidden gem! Gorgeous facilities and the most genuine and welcoming staff of our entire trip. The restaurants serve great food PLUS there’s a picnic area with a great view of the vineyard. Highly recommend!

Wonderful facilities, restaurant and amazing wines! The Pinot Noir, Cab Franc, Cabernet and Rose is awesome! Friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Had brunch at Butterscots, great food!
Love this place!!!

We loved this place! We came here for a 30^th birthday with 8 ladies and it was perfect. Gorgeous setting, great ambiance, intimate wine tasting experience, great service, tasty wine… could’t have been any happier.
After our tasting, which was almost 2 hours (they treated us like we were the only people there), we had lunch at Buttercots, the deli on site. Delicious — all of us got something different and we loved it all.
Everyone was super impressed and I know we’ll all come back again.

Wow. What a stop.
The gal behind the counter was very bland. She didn’t seem like she really wanted to talk, just spat out her routine and stared blankly at us. At least she didn’t mind us dumping.
I really kinda wonder if the wine makers have ever done a tasting like we did. I think if they had they would understand when I say that their wines all kind of blended together. The only one I liked was the Leanna.
Overall I just found it to be an expensive and boring stop.

********************* 1270 **********************
Cairdean Vineyards just opened their tasting room in St. Helena in the Spring 2014, just right down the street from the Culinary Institute of America, opens 7 days a week from 11 – 8 PM and no reservation required; which is a perfect last stop on your way back since all the wineries are closed at 4 – 5 PM.
A beautiful tasting room, spacious, modern, and quite charming with a square bar makes it easy to serve guests as they can stand around or sit down. The earthy palette, concrete flooring and dark stained cabinetry are brightened with brass accents. Love the table with black marble top and brass base, leather club chairs, chandelier constructed out of wine bottles which give me a great idea for my own :-) and a stone fireplace.
We got to try a lot of wines but a few that stand out.
— Haley Margaret White Wine — $ 10 of this wine helps raise awareness and funding for others who battle Cystic Fibrosis. Nice nose, stone fruits, smooth, bright, just a good wine for Sunday brunch, a unique blend of Pinot Gris, Roussanne, and Viogner.
— 2010 Cairdean Vineyards Merlot Bordeaux blend — 81% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.5% Malbec, and 0.5% Petite Verdot. On the nose, red berry, dark cherry, and blueberry aromas, oak spice, hazelnut and cocoa, lingering finish, medium bodied with balanced acidity. Maybe I’m bias because I love Bordeaux, this wine reminds me of a good bottle of the Right Bank, Pomerol 2010 vintage, to be exact. Only 492 Cases Produced.
— 2011 Cairdean Vineyards Syrah — 84% Syrah, 11% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, dark cherry, spice, herbs, beautiful and voluptuous on the nose, even more curvy on the bodied, long finish, full bodied. Syrah is not my favorite varietal, but this bottle makes me think of Northern Rhone, well done, I enjoyed this very much and I got to tried this the last 2 years. If you lvoe a BIG wine, you must TRY this! Winemaker Stacia Williams surely nailed this one! She’s also very sweet and humbled, I’m lucky to get to meet here and her husband Edwin Williams co-​owner of Cairdean Vineyards.
Service was wonderful here as always and the tasting fee is very reasonable and affordable for Napa Valley. Cairdean Vineyards is a perfect last top for you before you leave Napa Valley, don’t forget to check out their newly opened restaurant The Farmer and The Fox
Follow them on Twitter and IG:

I loved this winery. During our tasting here we tried over 10 wines and I’m not exaggerating when I say I loved all of them. There were so many varietals, including some not local to Napa like the Malbecs. Everything was delicious.
I wish we could have stayed to check out the Farmer & The Fox because it was cozy and the menu looked amazing. As a sidenote, if I wasn’t already married, this would be a great spot for a destination wedding in Napa. The facilities are new and beautiful — clearly Cairdean Estate was designed and built with care, love, and attention to detail. The prices were really reasonable and a great value for the products offered. Definitely recommend a stop here and we are looking forward to many visits in the future.

Dino at the tasting room was great. Place is fairly new would like to coma back when it is completed

I have been in the Food & Wine Industry for over 24 years & have owned several of my own Restaurants. Cairdean Estate is one to strive to be. From the architecture to the grounds and the whole flow of setting, I say Well done. I agree with the other comment mentioned prior, This will be the place to be. It has a good vibe and the Energy is through the Roof. That my friends translates into fun & festive times with one & all. You might even git an IRISH jig out of me if you buy the first glass before the last glass.
And the Pinot, Merlot & Cab are to die for. The Chards will blow your mind. Tasty Juice
all around and well balanced with acidity.
Cheers & Continued Success!
Deano
Founder & COO
Vx3 Wines Inc.

Cairdean essentially means friends, and that Scottish/​Irish jovial nature is sure to continue to shine through with all of their visitors. My wife and I stopped by and thoroughly enjoyed our tour throughout the grounds that will include a killer restaurant, a sensory wine experience, typical tasting room that is open, inviting, and beautiful, a wonderful staff… the list goes on.
I have a feeling this will be the happening place in St Helena in no time! Great job guys!

Cairdean Vineyards opened its tasting room just a few weeks ago at Cairdean Estate, soon to be a destination for both food and wine lovers. The Estate will be home to a bakery, deli, and restaurant, all perfect for visiting with friends. Already, the beautifully appointed tasting room is a wonderful space for gathering with your cairdean – Scottish Gaelic for «friends” – and tasting excellent wines.
Our trio decided to divide and conquer, so we were able to taste through all the wines offered for tasting that day: Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and more. The number of varietals represented surprised us, as did the pleasant minerality of some of the wines. But we were definitely fans by the end of the tasting and walked away with several bottles. Each of us had a different favorite, but we agreed that the wines were universally great and very food friendly – and should make for great pairings with the fare at The Farmer and The Fox, the Scottish gastropub being readied for opening.
We were fortunate enough to meet the lovely owners of Cairdean, Stacia and Edwin Williams, who shared their story and plans for the future of Cairdean Estate. I can’t wait to see their vision come to life and am eagerly anticipating the opening of The Farmer and The Fox.
4 stars for now, but surely 5 once everything is open. Do stop by to try the wines if you’re in St. Helena. It’s a wonderful spot to spend an afternoon!