Far Niente was founded in 1885 by John Benson, a forty-niner of the California gold rush and uncle of the famous American impressionist painter, Winslow Homer. Benson hired architect Hamden McIntyre, creator of the former Christian Brothers winery--now the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone--to design the building. Constructed against a hillside in western Oakville, Far Niente functioned as a gravity flow winery, gently moving the grapes through each stage of production.
Far Niente prospered until the onset of Prohibition in 1919, when it was abandoned and left to fall into disrepair. Sixty years later, in 1979, Gil Nickel purchased the winery and adjacent vineyard and began a three-year restoration of the property, which resulted in placement on the National Register of Historical Places. During restoration, the original name, Far Niente, from an Italian phrase that romantically translated means "without a care," was found carved in stone on the front of the building where it remains to this day. We felt an obligation to preserve the name with the hope that we could recapture a bygone era when life was indeed without a care.
Nineteen eighty-two marked the return of winemaking to Far Niente, with the harvest of the winery's first Cabernet Sauvignon. Chardonnay was also produced at the winery for the first time that year; the 1979, '80 and '81 vintage wines were made at an offsite location. Today, the winery continues to focus on producing only the two varietal wines.
43b
California » Napa Valley
Wilfred Wong 92 "The 2018 Far Niente Chardonnay shows class and balanced. TASTING NOTES: This wine exhibits excellent richness and stays elegant to the end. Pair
Wilfred Wong 93 "COMMENTARY: Do I remember the 1979 Far Niente Chardonnay? I bought three cases, and it was one of the most dramatic wines
48aCalifornia » Napa Valley
"Lifted aromas of boysenberry and dark cherry with bright floral notes and hints of sweet toasted oak that jump from the glass at the very
"Aromas of Meyer lemon, toasted nuts and fig are supported by the underlying sweetness of honeysuckle. The entry is honeyed with ripe citrus, light melon
Wilfred Wong 94 "A historically top-notch Chardonnay, the beautifully crafted 2016 Far Niente comes to the fore with superb ripe fruit and balance. The wine's combination
"Aromas of Meyer lemon, toasted nuts and fig are supported by the underlying sweetness of honeysuckle. The entry is honeyed with ripe citrus, light melon
The 2014 Far Niente Chardonnay opens with light tropical aromas alongside melon, juicy citrus and a layer of toasted oak and mineral. The silky entry
Robert Parker 93 "The finest Cabernet Sauvignon I have ever tasted from Far Niente may be the 2007 Estate. Its dense purple color is accompanied by
Wine Enthusiast 94 "In the wine’s youth, the aroma of new oak dominates, with that smoky, minty, spicy-char note. But in the mouth the fruit explodes
Wine Enthusiast 95 One for the cellar. Shows a dramatic structure of firm, dusty tannins, brightened with acidity, framing complex, long and deep flavors of black
"This wine offers intense aromas of ripe blackberry and boysenberry layered with baking spices and licorice. The entry is full and juicy with a velvety
" The 2009 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon offers aromas of boysenberry and blackberry pie, tobacco leaf, cassis and toasted oak. The entry is chewy, with
" The 2010 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon opens with boysenberry aromas combined with rich, toasted oak and a hint of espresso. The entry is layered
"Aromas of Meyer lemon, toasted nuts and fig are supported by the underlying sweetness of honeysuckle. The entry is honeyed with ripe citrus, light melon
"Aromas of Meyer lemon, toasted nuts and fig are supported by the underlying sweetness of honeysuckle. The entry is honeyed with ripe citrus, light melon
" The 2015 Far Niente Chardonnay presents fresh and bright aromatics of tropical fruit, melon and hints of fig. This vintage is beautifully balanced by
" The 2015 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon has deep concentrated aromas of chocolate-covered cherries alongside bright floral notes. The entry of this wine is juicy
"Beautiful aromas of blackberry and boysenberry pie, cassis, licorice and sweet anise, pair gorgeously with hints of lightly toasted oak. A silky entry transitions to
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