Swirl & Sniff: Inglenook, The Legacy and Art of Wine

There are many of us who can appreciate a good bottle of wine and some of us can acknowledge we may feel the same about a great film. I tend to think of wine and filmmaking in a similar way. After all, both can be interpreted as an art form — they just have different forms of expression. But does the art of winemaking come easier to an Oscar-winning filmmaker?

At Inglenook, located in Napa Valley, the art of bringing the right team together to produce extraordinary wine seems to go hand in hand with the filmmaking success of Francis Ford Coppola. Known for iconic films such as the The Godfather trilogy and Apocalypse Now, Coppola has achieved success on many levels. Although he’s not a winemaker, he’s currently been in the wine business over 40 years; comparable to the 50 years he’s dedicated to filmmaking.

Inglenook, founded in 1879 by Gustave Niebaum, was Napa’s first estate winery. In the 1930s, Niebaum’s grandnephew, John Daniel, Jr., inherited the chateau and vineyards which he ran for twenty years. In 1975, Francis Ford Coppola and his wife, Eleanor, purchased part of the estate which included 1,400 acres and Niebaum’s Victorian home and carriage house. They joined their name with Niebaum’s and the property became the Niebaum-Coppola Estate Winery.

In 1995, the Coppolas purchased the remaining part of the original property, which included the Inglenook Chateau and approximately 90 acres of vineyards. Today, Inglenook remains the largest contiguous estate on the famed Rutherford Bench known for producing Cabernet Sauvignon. In 2011, with a vision of reuniting the historical Inglenook name with its vineyards, Coppola’s intention to honor the estate’s heritage and restore its legacy as America’s greatest wine estate was graciously fulfilled.

Tasting Options

Experiences include tours of the Chateau, the Infinity caves and the vineyards, among many others. Tastings range from $45 – $135 per person and appointments are encouraged. For a full array of tasting options, please visit Inglenook.com.

The Toast

To the Coppola family — here’s to continued success carrying on the Inglenook name and honoring the estate’s unique heritage as well as with your Francis Ford Coppola Winery and Virginia Dare Winery in Geyserville, California, and your most recent venture, the purchase of Domaine de Broglie in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. May your legacy as a vintner be as fruitful as the way your filmmaking has shaped American cinema.

The Taste

2015 Rubicon —This Cabernet with a hint of Merlot is medium-to-full bodied with a deep red, bold, color. Pleasantly aromatic with fresh dark fruits, vanilla and cherries gently combine secondary notes of cloves and cinnamon. Silky on the palate yet delicately balanced to carry this age worthy wine to a delicious lingering finish.

About The Author

In a world where business acumen and editorial flair collide, Tami Austin stands as a titan at the forefront of luxury publishing. As the vivacious Editor-in-Chief of Jetset Magazine, she’s a maven of the high-flying lifestyle, a curator of the finest experiences our planet has to offer. Tami's journey is a symphony of adventure, her life a passport brimming with stories, each stamp a testament to her influence on Jetset's glittering narrative. At the magazine's core pulses the essence of Tami’s vision, her editorial mastery painting each page with the kind of vibrant insights only a seasoned traveler and business guru could offer. She's not just steering the ship; she is the rhythmic pulse that keeps it afloat, guiding its course with the precision of a seasoned maestro. Under her leadership, Jetset has soared, hosting conversations with icons like Lady Gaga, Donald Trump, Patrick Dempsey, Richard Branson and diving deep into the minds of moguls such as Robert Kiyosaki. But the tale of Tami Austin goes beyond the sheen of Jetset's pages. In the sun-kissed realms of Scottsdale, Arizona, Tami is the cornerstone of her family, sharing the joys of life with her husband, Darrin Austin, the CEO/Publisher of Jetset, and their spirited children. And when the sun dips below the horizon, Tami swaps the pen for the microphone, serenading the country music world with her soul-stirring songs, a hidden gem polished in Nashville's storied studios. Need to pitch an idea that's as unique as Tami's journey? Just drop a line at editor@jetsetmag(dot)com and watch the magic happen!

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