Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/661678
april 2016 / the tasting panel / 61 "A HIDDEN GEM AMONGST THE GIANTS" is what Winemaker Molly Hill calls her place of work, Sequoia Grove. The expression rings true in more than one respect. For one, the tasting room physically rests beneath a small group of towering redwood trees. But in a less literal sense, Sequoia Grove's friendly and cozy home stands out, or better yet doesn't, from its palatial neighbors that line Napa Valley's Highway 29. Production remains relatively small for the region—only 35,000 cases for each vintage across the portfolio that includes their nationally distributed Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as their limited-edition red wine blend, Cambium. For those who have discovered this Rutherford estate, Sequoia Grove has amassed a loyal following that highly regards the winery for its unyielding dedication to balance and craftsmanship. Sequoia Grove's Chardonnay has attracted much attention from the restaurant community. Lauren Helm, Lead Sommelier at St. Helena's Harvest Table, the dining component of Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer, has kept Sequoia Grove's Chardonnay on her by-the-glass list since the restaurant's inception. Why Sequoia Grove out of the countless Chardonnays coming from Napa? Helm responds, "It's one that stood against its peers in terms of balance. It's not over-oaked or buttery and is really food-friendly." Peter Steiner of the Mediterranean restaurant Sens in San Francisco also finds himself a fan of the Chardonnay. Peter says he carries Sequoia Grove Chardonnay on his by-the-glass list for a variety of reasons: "First is its Napa Valley appellation, since our clientele is tourist- and banquet-driven." Nevertheless, he goes on to say, "It's not highly typical for Napa. It represents the new style of more restrained Chardonnay." PHOTO COURTESY OF SEQUOIA GROVE PHOTO COURTESY OF SEQUOIA GROVE Molly Hill, Winemaker at Sequoia Grove. "A COOL THING ABOUT OUR TWO ESTATE PROPERTIES IS THAT THEY SHOW THE TWO SIDES OF RUTHERFORD."