Ideology Cellars Estate

Back in NSV for another treck to add to my 137 wineries visited here since 1974. Hey someone has to invest time in vines to assist others on life's joutney! I met Dawn Murray, Business Development Manager & a fellow crazy entrepreneur at an event, & immediately had to go visit Ideology Cellars in Oak Knoll. What a full day that became.I can go into technical data and reviews which you can pick up from Ideology and other sites but this review is PERSONAL, as I live by "you get back what you give", and Dawn, founder Bob Williamson and his amazing wife Joni, (always a strong woman is needed when you have a vision) made it complete.
People need to do some homework and read about the Williamson's, his home building biz in Half Moon Bay, selling that & immersing themselves in the enology side to learn that, set up a joint crush biz in 2005, to purchase the former Koves-Newlan Winery in Napa Valley's Oak Knoll District, moving from that and focusing on designing a brand and cabernet that would rock the valley, no wonder Wine Spectator named their new winery a "Hidden gem in Napa Valley". But Ideology Cellars is the name and the brand for their phenomenal chards, Blondie aged only with a small amount of oak & rest is steel which I prefer), Blondie Gone Wild (fermented in wild yeast & reason for name!/ you do not need to be blond to enjoy)& the Reserve Chard that blew me away. Tasting notes are amazing on the chards as well. Another review needed for technical & tasting notes!

Now to the red Bad Boys which got my testosterone up & off the charts & why you need to visit Bob, Joni, Dawn and the rest of the team, including Leigh Meyering whom Bob gently hand picked as he does his crop, just a few years ago and the explosion of great wines is guaranteed to continue for sure. Some history lesson about the red brands... 1) 2007 had 95 pts. by WS. 2) 2013 can 90 pts , 3) 2014 91 pts,4)THE MOTHER OF ALL IS THE 2015 CAB RESERVE, AND IT IS A TRUE RESERVE, SHOULD RENAME THIS "KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF"! Ready to pirchase!
Reason to visit: * people, * location, Mayacamas mountains and the soil it gave Ideology, rocky and hearty grapes needed & they have that in spades, * lunch anyone? They allow you to bring lunch and eat at their beautiful outdoor setting with some purchase requirements/ check out photo, * indoor venue is warm and open, * you will learn a lot if you want to* LAUGHTER, * barrel tasting that Bob personally served, he is humble and involved (check out photo of Bob taking us to the holding tanks and barrel area, funny), after the tasting and procuring your cache, they have less than 1,500 cases so snag as many as you can,), get an entrepreneur lesson from Dawn but she will NOT tell you her next new idea, * then go home & savor the memories and the vino you brought home. Will do this one AGAIN!

This wine is A+! My friend and I visited this last weekend for her Birthday and the experience was excellent! The owner was kind and full of knowledge. Thank you Bob!