Wine and music, equals the perfect couple. At least according to the passionate country musician and proprietor of Gargiulo vineyards, Jeff Gargiulo. His family’s Italian roots manifested themselves in their successful tomato plantations in America, and now also in this beautiful California vineyard set in the exclusive Oakville neighbourhood of the cult winery, Screaming Eagle. The Pinot Grigio is crisp and fresh as its Italian model, the Merlot ages into a velvety smooth beauty, the Cabernets show restrained muscles in European rather than the typical Napa style, and the Sangiovese is the best we had outside its native land in Tuscany. After our interview, Jeff Gargiulo played some of his favourite rhythms on his guitar and shared a song with us. Surrounded by the vines and superb tones, it felt so natural for me to sit there just smiling, inhaling the fragrance of the ripening grapes behind me, and enjoying the perfectly worry-free atmosphere.

Each year early in the fall, the members of Gargiulo wine club can attend the Oakville Sessions on the property. Here, under the much needed shade of the giant trees in from of the tasting room, a diverse grouping of the best country musicians from the US and abroad perform (Australia’s Keith Urban played here as well), while wine flows, oozing pizza from Tre Posti draws hungry lines and fresh mozzarella is being pulled. The library tasting annually reveals the age worthiness of the Gargiulo’s red wines. The Money Road ranch is blessed to be set in one of the most scenic areas of Napa Valley.

When in the Napa Valley, I interviewed the owners of these four outstanding family vineyards: Gargiulo, Martin Estate, Quixote and Palmaz.
 Gargiulo vineyards, 575 Oakville Cross Rd, Napa, CA 94558

 +1 707 944 2770
 Daily except Holidays and Sundays: 10:30AM–3:30PM