The Winemaker's Collection: A Private Horizontal Tasting of Library-Aged Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
As Featured in Robb Report:
“Baldacci Family Vineyards has emerged as a leader… setting a new standard by aging bottles themselves.”
The Winemaker’s Collection is a private 10-year horizontal tasting and three-bottle library set showcasing pre-aged 2016 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Led by Winemaker Michael Baldacci at our Stags Leap District estate, the private tasting experience gives collectors exclusive access to winery-cellared wines released at their optimal drinking window—eliminating storage guesswork while delivering peak maturity, provenance, and terroir expression from Coombsville, Howell Mountain, and Stags Leap District.
The Winemaker’s Collection: A Private Napa Valley Cabernet Tasting Experience
The Winemaker’s Collection Tasting is a private experience at our Stags Leap District estate. Personally hosted by Winemaker Michael Baldacci, this experience grants rare access to library wines from the acclaimed 2016 vintage. The cornerstone of this offering is our pre-aging program, which ensures each Cabernet Sauvignon is released only at its optimal maturity, providing collectors with guaranteed provenance and a peak sensory experience.
Sparkling Wine Welcome: Begin your visit with a refreshing pour of our Pops Sparkling Wine.
Cave Tour & Barrel Tasting: Join Michael for a private cave tour and taste a future Cabernet release from the barrel.
The 10-Year Horizontal Flight: A seated, private tasting of three single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons in the Winemaker’s Collection: 2016 Ruppert (Coombsville), 2016 Howell Mountain, and 2016 Brenda’s Vineyard (Stags Leap District).
Curated Pairing: Enjoy a selection of local cheeses and charcuterie.
Tasting Details:
Price: $250 per person | Maximum 8 guests
Duration: 90 Minutes | By prior reservation
Location: 6236 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA
The 2016 Winemaker’s Collection set is a three-bottle library set of Napa Valley’s most prestigious AVAs during a single, balanced vintage. Aged for ten years in our before release, each wine captures the character of its site at peak maturity.
2016 Brenda’s Vineyard (Stags Leap District): Captures the velvety texture and power shaped by our estate’s volcanic soils.
2016 Ruppert (Coombsville): Showcases the purity of fruit from Napa’s cooler, marine-influenced southern reach.
2016 Howell Mountain: A mountain-grown Cabernet with refined structure and incredible longevity.
Meet the Winemaker: Michael Baldacci
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Michael Baldacci’s journey began in the rows of his family’s estate. After earning his B.A. from Loyola Marymount University, he returned to the Stags Leap District to join Baldacci Family Vineyards, eventually stepping into the role of Winemaker to carry forward his father’s vision of crafting wines that reflect the character of the land.
With over a decade of experience across sales, operations, and winemaking, Michael has cultivated a deep mastery of both the craft and the business of Napa Valley wine. His commitment to excellence has earned the winery multiple 95+ point scores from Decanter, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, and Jeb Dunnuck.
A recognized leader in the industry, Michael was named a North Bay Business Journal Forty Under 40 honoree in 2025. His winemaking philosophy—recently featured in Forbes and Robb Report—positions him as a leader in the next generation of Napa Valley’s winemakers.
“Wine is so multi-faceted,” Michael reflects. “Viticulture and enology are always evolving, and each tasting reminds me of the incredible balance between artistry and science”.
Why Collectors Choose the Winemaker’s Collection
Guaranteed Provenance: Every bottle has been stored in our temperature-controlled facility since bottling.
Optimal Maturity: We do the aging for you, releasing wines only when they reach their perfect drinking window.
Site Specificity: A rare chance to taste how 2016 weather patterns expressed differently across Coombsville, Howell Mountain, and Stags Leap District.
Frequently Asked Questions for Napa Valley Collectors
Q: What is a horizontal wine tasting?
A: A horizontal tasting is a side-by-side comparison of wines from the same vintage but different vineyard sites. In the Winemaker’s Collection experience, you’ll taste three 2016 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons grown in Stags Leap District, Coombsville, and Howell Mountain. It’s one of the best ways to understand how terroir influences a single vintage across Napa Valley.
Q: What can I expect from the Winemaker’s Collection tasting?
A: This is a private, 90-minute tasting experience at our estate on Silverado Trail in the Stags Leap District. Limited to eight guests and hosted by Winemaker Michael Baldacci, the experience is designed for collectors and serious Cabernet enthusiasts.
Your visit includes a cave tour, a barrel preview of a future release, and a seated horizontal tasting of three winery-cellared 2016 Cabernet Sauvignons from Coombsville, Howell Mountain, and Stags Leap District.
Unlike many Napa Valley tastings that focus on current releases, this experience features wines aged for 10 years in our estate caves and released at peak maturity, offering rare access to fully developed Napa Valley Cabernet without the need for additional cellaring.
Q: Can I purchase the 2016 Winemaker’s Collection online?
A: Yes, the 2016 Winemaker’s Collection featured in Robb Report is available as a three-bottle library set featuring single-vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Stags Leap District, Coombsville, and Howell Mountain. The wines are available for direct shipping and are released at their optimal drinking window after 10 years of aging in our cellars.