Going to a barrel tasting

Spring barrel tastings

Spring is a good time for a barrel tasting. This is a lot like other wine tastings, but the wines all come straight from the barrel. Often wine futures are sold at a discount here. A wine future is much like any other futures contract — you agree to buy a certain amount of wine, once it has been bottled. By committing yourself to the purchase ahead of time, you save money on the eventual purchase price.

Barrel tastings don’t necessarily involve food to go with the wine, which means you’ll want to bring a designated driver along, especially if you’re going to several barrel tastings. Don’t taste too many wines — pick wines you’ve never had before. The idea is to make new discoveries. As at any wine tasting, don’t wear any strong-smelling perfume or cologne, and remember that this isn’t a bar.

Barrel tastings vineyard near St. Helena

Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards in Napa Valley, a 10-minute drive from downtown St. Helena, holds tastings in its barrel caves, where current releases and library wines may be sampled and visitors can learn all about the process of making and storing the wine. Tastings are $65, but one tasting fee can be waived by joining their wine club or making a $100 purchase. The annual Spring Fling is in May.

Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards produces world-class wines at affordable prices. The vineyard is a 40-acre estate just south of Howell Mountain, and has been owned and operated by the Anderson family since 1983.