"I drink the best. I drink van der Heyden Vineyards Wine. He is my neighbor!"
Brian Lavender, neighbor
Before many of the wineries in the Napa Valley, there were cows. With the cows there were ranches and farms. With that there were farmhouses and the people who tended to their cows. That day is mostly gone and now where the cows mostly were, there are vineyards. Some of the farmhouses have remained and those who tended the cows have realized there is money in grapes.
If you drive north up the Silverado
Trail from Napa, you will see a large red coutry store on your right.
Make your next left turn into van der Heyden Vineyards. Often there are balloons at the
entry gate to attract passing tourists. At the entrance you won't see a stone gate like
some elaborate wineries. In fact driving down the barely paved road you will have to navigate
around a few potholes. Once you have made it that far, you will find what appears to be the
remnants of the cow days in the Napa Valley. If you look real hard the barn still is there and you
might swear to yourself wondering if you have intruded upon some die hard rancher. There are cats,
birds, the dog, and lots of equipment.
"Some people have turned around and left", says André, the proprieter of this estate.
Now you will find signs welcoming you and assuring you you have arrived at the right place. And you
have, because this is unlike any other winery which I know of in the Napa Valley .
You are in for a treat of conversation and a taste of fine wine.
The official word from van der Heyden Vineyards:
VAN DER HEYDEN VINEYARDS AND WINERY is a Small Family owned winery located on the Silverado Trail 2-1/2 miles north of The City of Napa, California.
Van Der Heyden Vineyards and Winery Specializes in Estate Bottled Chardonnay Wines, Cabernet Sauvignon and Late Harvest Desert Wines.
Van Der Heyden Vineyards is the Only Winery in the World that produces a Late Harvest Cabernet Sauvignon.
Le Conflit