{"title":"Far Niente | Napa County","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/Collection_Banner_db4f5903-84cd-4a4e-8726-ba2d92793207.jpg?v=1571770008\" alt=\"Far Niente Winery\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"9\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"9\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eFar Niente\u003c\/b\u003e is an historic, premium wine estate located in Oakville, right in the beating heart of California’s Napa Valley. The name translates beautifully from the Italian phrase for \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"9\" data-index-in-node=\"184\"\u003e\"without a care,\"\u003c\/b\u003e which is carved directly into the stone of the original winery building. Founded all the way back in 1885, the estate flourished as one of California's first dedicated stone wineries until the hammer of Prohibition fell, leaving the spectacular property completely abandoned and swallowed by vines for over sixty years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"10\"\u003eThe modern renaissance of the estate began in 1979 when it was purchased by Gil Nickel, an eccentric American who made his fortune running garden centres and spent his spare time racing vintage sports cars. Driven by a singular obsession to create wines of distinctive character, he undertook a massive restoration project to rescue the historic stone cellars from ruin. Today, the estate spans 200 acres across three exceptional vineyard sites, sitting on what is widely considered some of the finest gravel-rich, volcanic soil in the valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"11\"\u003eWhat makes Far Niente unique for the everyday drinker is its strict focus on perfecting just two classic varieties: Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. The team relies on precise estate viticulture and gentle, old-world winemaking techniques, including ageing the wines in spectacular, hand-carved underground stone caves that maintain a naturally perfect temperature. This uncompromising focus yields white wines with a vibrant, creamy richness and red wines with immense structure, creating a global demand that consistently outstrips the handful of bottles released each year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-path-to-node=\"11\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFAR NIENTE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"far-niente-cabernet-sauvignon","title":"Far Niente Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"3\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"3\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eFar Niente Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c\/b\u003e is a brilliant expression of Napa Valley winemaking, showing off exceptional balance and regional character. Rather than relying on a single plot, this vintage acts as a masterclass in blending, sourcing fruit from a handful of Napa's finest sub-regions - including Calistoga, Oak Knoll, St Helena, Stags Leap, Diamond Mountain, and Yountville. These carefully selected parcels perfectly complement the deep, structured fruit harvested from the core Far Niente estate vineyards in \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"3\" data-index-in-node=\"514\"\u003eOakville\u003c\/b\u003e. The winemaking team selects and ferments each grape variety entirely separately to preserve their individual personalities before creating the final blend. The wine is then matured for seventeen months in \u003cb data-path-to-node=\"4\" data-index-in-node=\"205\"\u003eFrench oak barrels\u003c\/b\u003e, using a combination of 65% new and 35% second-fill oak. This careful maturation gives the wine a sophisticated framework of sweet spice and toasted oak without overpowering the natural, bright energy of the fruit. On the nose, it opens with an elegant bouquet of mixed berries, sweet spice, dried lavender, and wild thyme. The palate is full, plush, and deeply layered, offering expansive flavours of black tea, cocoa, and dark forest fruits. It feels remarkably focused and fresh in the glass, supported by incredibly fine-grained, smooth tannins that carry the wine into a beautifully lifted, long finish. It is a stunning partner for premium cuts of meat, matching effortlessly with a grilled ribeye steak, roasted rosemary lamb shanks, or a rich venison stew. [#intro]\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eA masterfully balanced, structured Napa red bursting with dark berries, fine tannins, and herbal elegance...[\/intro] \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Far Niente","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":30946449457210,"sku":"A22FARNIENTECAB-1","price":125.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/products\/NapaCabernetBt.jpg?v=1672942753"},{"product_id":"far-niente-chardonnay","title":"Far Niente Chardonnay 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003eFar Niente Chardonnay is a blend of superlative Napa Valley vineyards, many of which are located in a little-known area called Coombsville, a cool grape growing region nestled in the rolling countryside and protected by the hills east of the city of Napa. Coombsville offers the characteristic climate of Carneros, with less wind, along with deeper, well-drained gravelly loam and volcanic ash soils. The combination of these spectacular vineyards results in the subtle, tropical flavours, complex aromas and uncommon richness that we have long associated with Far Niente Chardonnay. At the winery the hand-harvested grapes were meticulously hand sorted to attain only the finest fruit. Fermentation began in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks and 95% was racked into French oak barrels to complete fermentation in the caves and old stone cellars. The wine did not go through malolactic fermentation and was aged for 10 months on its fine lees for additional depth, complexity and texture. The maturation took place in French oak barrels (54% new, 46% used once). The Far Niente Chardonnay displays delicate aromas of melon, sweet citrus and white floral notes, layered with nuances of flint, yeast and sweetly toasted oak. A smooth, focused and silky palate delivers ripe flavours of honeydew and lemon, supported by just of touch of wet stone, yeast and toasted hazelnuts. The finish is deliciously mouthwatering and long.[#intro]A beautiful, richly textured and elegant wine perfectly balanced \u0026amp; with a wonderfully long finish...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Far Niente","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":30946530951226,"sku":"A24FARNIENTECHARD-1","price":75.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/products\/Chardonnay_46741aaf-6d98-4e6d-a437-90c8e6cec1b6.jpg?v=1571774746"},{"product_id":"far-niente-dolce-napa-valley-late-harvest","title":"Far Niente Dolce Napa Valley Late Harvest 2019","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"3\"\u003e\u003cb data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"3\"\u003eFar Niente Dolce \u003c\/b\u003eis a masterclass in sweet winemaking, widely regarded as North America's premier answer to the great dessert wines of Sauternes. Crafted from a precise blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, this liquid gold is produced on a protected 20-acre estate in Coombsville. The unique geography here allows damp autumn morning mist to linger over the vines, naturally concentrating the grapes to develop an extraordinary, natural flavor intensity. In the glass, it opens with an intensely fruity bouquet dominated by ripe peach, pear, and orange zest, layered with rich notes of wild honey and sweet spice. On the palate, it strikes a perfect balance. It is unctuous and silky, bursting with juicy apricot and caramelized tropical fruit flavors, yet it finishes with a mouth-watering freshness that prevents it from ever feeling heavy. This remarkable complexity is refined by nearly three years of patient maturation in French oak barrels. It pairs effortlessly with rich UK classics like a warm sticky toffee pudding, a classic crème brûlée, or an artisanal platter of salty blue cheeses.\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e[#intro]\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eA rich, luxurious Napa Valley dessert wine balancing honeyed apricot with crisp citrus freshness...[\/intro]\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Far Niente","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58328485855613,"sku":"A19FARNIENTEDOLCE","price":98.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/files\/DolceLateHarvestHalfBottle.jpg?v=1782564164"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0106\/1539\/0266\/collections\/Collection_Image_b1f69fce-7838-4d4b-acb0-0912b89f5087.jpg?v=1571770083","url":"https:\/\/hic.wine\/collections\/far-niente.oembed","provider":"Hic!","version":"1.0","type":"link"}