Since 2013 our mission has been to find great wines of great value that are ready to drink tonight.
Some wines impress you in the glass. Others leave an impression long before the first sip. Our June Wine of the Month, the 2018 Quixote Winery Petite Sirah Stags Leap District, accomplishes both.
Nestled beneath the dramatic Stags Leap Palisades—towering volcanic formations that rise from Napa Valley's eastern Vaca Mountains—Quixote Winery is one of the most distinctive destinations in California wine country. Hidden away from the more heavily traveled tasting routes, the estate feels like a secret worth discovering. The winery itself is a masterpiece, designed by the late Austrian artist and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser. As his only completed North American architectural project, Quixote stands apart from every other winery in Napa, blending whimsy, creativity, and a deep connection to the surrounding landscape.
The 2018 Petite Sirah perfectly reflects that spirit of individuality. This is a powerful wine, but one that never sacrifices balance or refinement. Deep purple in the glass, it opens with rich aromas of blackberry, blueberry compote, dark plum, and baking spice. On the palate, layers of black fruit are joined by notes of cocoa, espresso, and subtle earth, all supported by firm but polished tannins. While Petite Sirah is often known for sheer intensity, Quixote's version showcases remarkable elegance and structure, allowing the exceptional Stags Leap District fruit to take center stage.
What makes this wine particularly compelling is its sense of place. The rocky soils, warm days, and cooling evening influences of the Stags Leap District provide ideal conditions for Petite Sirah, producing wines of concentration, complexity, and longevity. Eight years after harvest, the 2018 remains youthful and vibrant while offering the depth and nuance that only comes with time in bottle.
Our recent visit to Quixote only reinforced our admiration for the winery. Estate Ambassador Ashleen guided us through the portfolio with exceptional knowledge and genuine enthusiasm. Conversations ranged well beyond the tasting notes, touching on viticulture, winemaking, Napa Valley history, and the unique challenges and opportunities of the Stags Leap District. It was the kind of experience that reminds you why wine is ultimately about people as much as place.
Quixote Winery remains one of Napa Valley's hidden gems—a place where architecture, terroir, hospitality, and winemaking excellence come together seamlessly. The 2018 Petite Sirah captures everything that makes the estate special, and for that reason, it is our Peninsula Underground Wine of the Month for June.
Learn more more about Quixote Winery, follow them, and purchase their wine here:
@QuixoteWinery
