Wine Tasting Review -- Prager Port Works

One of the things I've noticed after working in the Napa Valley for a year now is that its easy to become a little jaded.  Every new winery I visit seems to be more amazing then the next, and each one has either some sort of amazing caves, some really fancy technology, beautiful views, or architecture that pushes the envelope.  With the sheer number of wineries here in the valley it makes sense that each one would try to distinguish themselves from the pack.  But in a way it reminds me of my catholic junior high school -- everyone wore the same uniform and looked very similar, but we all tried to wear the most outlandish pair of basketball shoes just to be cool.

With this being the case, it was awesome to finally visit our neighbors across the street at Prager Port works.  The short story on this family winery is that it's the only winery in Napa that specializes in Port, and they've been doing so for about 30 years.  They make a wide variety of ports from a killer Tawny to a standard Petite Sirah port, even Ports using the more obscure Portuguese varieties.  Tasting consists of a 15 dollar line up of their current selection in their standing room only (they don't have any chairs or a tasting bar) tasting room.  My basic impression of Prager is that if Napa Valley is a Junior high classroom, then Prager is the kid from the other side of the tracks who still wears the converse sneakers and sits the back and yet without saying much is widely considered the coolest kid in school.

Chllorophyll?! More like, BORE-ophyll!! 

This family operation just oozes the kind of Napa Valley nostalgia that makes you feel like you're still in a sleepy little valley that just happens to produce a few bottles of wine along side the prune orchards and cow pastures.  Their tasting room alone feels more like a hell's angles dive bar then a fancy tasting room, with cobwebs and dollar bills plastering the walls.

You'd be hard pressed to find a Parker score on display in this place.

And here is the room properly age-ified for the full effect.  

My favorite wine there was their "Noble Companion" Tawny Port.  A classically brown tawny with lots of chocolate, orange zest and maderized notes, the tawny is semi-dry and made with Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, which just makes it even cooler.  

Prager Port works is tucked behind the Sutter Home winery (which is really just another perfect illustration of what I'm talking about) on Highway 29 just outside of St. Helena.  Tastings there are usually conducted by a member of the Prager family.  If you're looking for some different wines to taste and a decidedly different side of the Napa valley go and check them out.  Just make sure you have all your shots first.