AUM Cellars
“I’ve got my blowtorch somewhere, just bear with me” declared Peter as he frantically rummaged behind wine barrels and cork-filled-boxes in search of the last possible powertool I ever expected to see in a winery. He located said blowtorch next to the machine I had just used to cork my very first bottle of wine — which I now defensively clutched in my arms as Peter turned toward me with the blowtorch. I eyed Peter and his blowtorch suspiciously as he returned to where I stood cradling my newly corked bottle in an effort to protect it from whatever the torch was meant for.
It wasn’t until Peter instructed me to choose a wax color that I realized the purpose of the blowtorch. I watched with childlike enthusiasm as he torched the wax and sealed my bottle. He then slapped a label on the bottle and handed it back to me like a doctor presenting a newborn baby to its mother.
These kind of personal and memorable encounters are what set AUM Cellars apart from, well, anywhere (that I’ve been).
Peter Hoffman (the aforementioned guy with the blowtorch) is the owner, operator, winemaker, viticulturist, tasting host and, therefore, heart and soul of AUM cellars. There are very very few places in Napa (or anywhere for that matter) you can visit and get a personal tour from a winemaker who’s also the wine grower. Therefore, this intimate look into the cellars and its organic and biodynamic wine growing/making process was honestly the most informative (and entertaining) I’ve had.
Upon arrival, we tasted several wines from the barrel while Peter explained the difference between cane and spur pruning (and had us sip each side-by-side so we could compare). After the barrel tasting we took a field trip across the street to the vineyard where Peter showed us the difference in pruning and growing techniques. It was extremely educational, and his passion was contagious.
Throughout the vineyard tour, three sheep kept “Bah”ing at us from their enclosure behind the winery. As we walked past the sheep stable I was secretly hoping we’d be able to pet them and, therefore, quietly rejoiced when Peter opened the gate and instructed us to enter the small enclosure. Despite my short dress and wedges, I entered eagerly (to Peter’s surprise) and spent the subsequent 15 minutes feeding and petting the sheep with the excitement and enthusiasm of a child let loose in a petting zoo (no, the wine had nothing to do with my enthusiasm; and yes, it was definitely worth wobbling on wedges through dirt and sheep poo).
Just when I thought my tasting experience at AUM Cellars couldn’t get any better, Peter took us into the GORGEOUS wine cellar where we continued our tasting. AND just when I thought the wine couldn’t get any better we tried one of his 2014 cabernets and I was officially in heaven.
As you can probably tell, I can’t say enough good things about Peter and AUM cellars. I learned a ton, had a blast, and discovered some of my new favorite wine. Though this small, under-the-radar winery is the definition of “off the beaten path,” Peter is quick to reward the tenacious seeker of a good tasting experience with unrivaled authenticity, a memorable and educational experience, and some pretty damn good wine.
I had such an amazing time that I only felt a little guilty when I arrived at my next tasting (at Del Dotto) and accidently tracked sheep shit across their beautiful marble floors (sorry!)
(Read more about Del Dotto and get additional itinerary recommendations in my previous Weekend in Wine Country blog post.)