Latest News
Feb 22,2008
The March 31, 2008 Wine Spectator magazine has recommended the 2005 Adastra Syrah in its section titled The Savvy Shopper. Columnist Bruce Sanderson says: "In Carneros, Adastra Syrah Napa Valley Carneros 2005 (93, $36) takes on a range of spice and herb notes accenting dried currant." The issue's Buying Guide section follows with a 93 point score for the wine from critic James Laube who writes: "Savory herb, spice, sage and floral aromas are rich and concentrated, with dried currant and berry flavors that firm up nicely, ending with a complex interplay of spice and berry fruit. Drink now through 2013. 100 cases made. - J.L". Supplies of the 2005 Adastra Syrah are running low, so the savvy shopper might want to move now... More about Adastra Syrah
Jan 29,2008
Adastra's new Wine Club is up and available. Check out the 3, 6, or 12 bottle release options. All members are invited to the First Annual Adastra Wine Club Barbecue on the grounds of Adastra Vineyards, Napa CA on Saturday, June 14, 2008. Join up and save the date!
Oct 1,2007
New look, same great wines
We changed our Web site to a design that incorporates Adastra's new logo. You'll still find all the functionality the site offered before, from wine descriptions to email list signup to a searchable list of closest suppliers -- and, of course, secure e-commerce ordering.
Feedback about the new look? We'd love to hear from you!
May 27,2007
New Pinot Noir - 2005 Adastra Pinot Noir "Regulus" Released
We made two Adastra Pinot Noirs from the 2005 vintage and we are releasing the first of these now. The 2005 Adastra Pinot Noir "Regulus" is a sensational combination of flavors: strawberry, cherry, spice with additional aromas of earth, undergrowth and cinnamon bark. Buy Pinot Noir now
Mar 28,2007
New Release: 2005 Adastra Chardonnay
This new Adastra Chardonnay is available now. The 2005 is the first Adastra wine to bear the legend "INGREDIENTS... ORGANIC GRAPES" following our vineyard's certification by the CCOF in that year. Only 599 cases of this delicious wine were crafted. Buy Chardonnay now Our 2004 Chardonnay received an "outstanding" rating from the Wine Spectator. Unfortunately, the 2004 wine is sold out.
This new Adastra Chardonnay is available now. The 2005 is the first Adastra wine to bear the legend "INGREDIENTS... ORGANIC GRAPES" following our vineyard's certification by the CCOF in that year. Only 599 cases of this delicious wine were crafted. Buy Chardonnay now Our 2004 Chardonnay received an "outstanding" rating from the Wine Spectator. Unfortunately, the 2004 wine is sold out.
Other wines in the Adastra constellation continue to shine brightly... The 2003 Adastra Merlot won a Gold Medal at the 2007 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Enhancing its delicious plum, cherry, and blackberry fruit notes, this wine is developing an increasing spice and cedar character... Meanwhile the 2004 Merlot was designated a "highly distinctive wine" by the Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine: "Full, rich and highly ripened smells of cherries, creamy oak and a slightly spicy, clove-like edge highlight this weighty Merlot...remarkably deep and rich in flavor...never lacks for personality," the writer enthused. Buy Merlot now...Also the Wine Spectator Online reviewed the 2004 Adastra Proximus Pinot Noir: "Black cherry, wild berry, and raspberry scents carry over to the palate, giving it a rich mouthfeel. Intense, vibrant and concentrated, finishing with a long, complex aftertaste" and rated it "outstanding." Buy Pinot Noir now
Nov 30,2006
2004 Adastra Pinot Noir "Proximus": Only 119 80 40 20 15 5 4 0 cases available!
The 2004 Adastra Pinot Noir "Proximus" is now sold out. As one connoisseur remarked at a recent tasting "This is as fine a wine as any young Burgundy anybody will ever taste." We hope you had chance to enjoy this wine.
What is "Proximus"? | Buy Pinot Noir now
The 2004 Adastra Pinot Noir "Proximus" is now sold out. As one connoisseur remarked at a recent tasting "This is as fine a wine as any young Burgundy anybody will ever taste." We hope you had chance to enjoy this wine.
What is "Proximus"? | Buy Pinot Noir now
Nov 23,2006
Adastra Winemaker Feted in Thanksgiving Feature Article
Adastra winemaker Pam Starr was the subject of an in-depth feature article by renowned Napa Register wine writer Jack Heeger on Thanksgiving Day. Click here to read what he wrote.
Adastra winemaker Pam Starr was the subject of an in-depth feature article by renowned Napa Register wine writer Jack Heeger on Thanksgiving Day. Click here to read what he wrote.
Nov 9,2006
New Releases
The 2004 Adastra Pinot Noir and 2004 Merlot are now available and tasting great.
Buy wines now
The 2004 Adastra Pinot Noir and 2004 Merlot are now available and tasting great.
Buy wines now
Nov 1,2006
With yesterday's harvest of 1.84 tons of Syrah, Adastra's harvest 2006 finally came to a close. Protracted rains early in the year kept the vines cool and delayed the onset of shoot growth. In some years heat spikes speed ripening along, but this year, very hot weather was confined to a few days in July. The vines started slowly and refused to be rushed.
Although heat was not a problem, humidity was. Beginning with later than usual rains, abnormally high humidity continued to be a factor later in the year. This resulted in high rates of botrytis cinerea fungus. This fungus develops as mold on berries and other green tissue. Although botrytis is desirable on grapes for late harvest dessert wines, when it is called "noble rot," it is not desirable on grapes for most other wines, when it is known as plain "rot." To combat botrytis, we made several passes through the vineyard during the growing season to remove botrytisized fruit and ensure only the best grapes were harvested to make wine.
It's too early to say how wines from 2006 will turn out, but so far, we taste reasons to be optimistic.
Although heat was not a problem, humidity was. Beginning with later than usual rains, abnormally high humidity continued to be a factor later in the year. This resulted in high rates of botrytis cinerea fungus. This fungus develops as mold on berries and other green tissue. Although botrytis is desirable on grapes for late harvest dessert wines, when it is called "noble rot," it is not desirable on grapes for most other wines, when it is known as plain "rot." To combat botrytis, we made several passes through the vineyard during the growing season to remove botrytisized fruit and ensure only the best grapes were harvested to make wine.
It's too early to say how wines from 2006 will turn out, but so far, we taste reasons to be optimistic.
Sep 25,2006
Harvest is still in full swing at Adastra. Longtime family friend Celeste Langstaff, an accomplished photographer, braved the pre-dawn chill on several mornings and put together this nice photo blog.
Taste what the vineyards produce: buy a bottle today!
Taste what the vineyards produce: buy a bottle today!
Aug 1,2006
We've upgraded our Web site! Among the new features:
Drop us a line and let us know what you think of the new features -- and thanks for visiting!
- Shop Adastra. Browse, select and purchase Adastra wines using a secure order form, from the comfort of your own home.
- Find Adastra Near You. Enter your ZIP code to see restaurants and retailers near you that serve or sell Adastra wines. Or you can browse supplies by state or type.
- Mail List Signup. Sign up to receive our twice-yearly newsletter by email, along with notices about new releases and events in your area.
- News Updates. The latest news from Adastra, posted as it happens.
Drop us a line and let us know what you think of the new features -- and thanks for visiting!
Jul 30,2006
Adastra Wines recently received certification from the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) and the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM) -- thereby making official our organic farming practices, which we initiated in 2002. Since mid-1998 Adastra had used no herbicides in its vineyards, and our new certification is testament to our believe that organic farming produces better quality grapes and has a positive environmental impact.
More Adastra history | Taste the difference - buy our wines!
More Adastra history | Taste the difference - buy our wines!
Jul 10,2006
Adastra has decided to discontinue our (800) number. It was very similar to that for an insurance firm, and calls we received intended for the insurance firm greatly outnumbered calls related to our business. You can still reach us at (707) 255-4818 or drop us a line via email. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Apr 19,2005
Merlot - "A Popeye merlot, flexing its muscles ... strong, black-red fruit, a touch tannic"; Chardonnay - "mostly pedal to the metal, with deep, buttery flavors"
Read the full article
Read the full article