Charles Krug Winery

"We suddenly got a contract from Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) to cook 700 meals a day at their emergency command station at Krug [Winery]." - Lauren Saria

"Historic Meets Modern at Charles Krug Krug is an important winery for a couple of reasons: Founded in 1872, it is one of the oldest wineries in Napa Valley and it is here that Robert and Peter Mondavi had their infamous disagreement that led to Robert leaving and starting his eponymous winery. Peter and Robert's parents, Rosa and Cesare Mondavi, originally made their money shipping zinfandel grapes to other Italian immigrants on the East Coast during Prohibition. In 1943, with the money they made, they purchased Krug. The Mondavi family recently renovated the original redwood cellar—lining the walls with staves from the original redwood casks. Now one of the oldest family-owned wine companies in Napa Valley, Krug and its line of C. Mondavi wines is a must visit."

"There is an undeniable mystique around Krug, one of the best-known wine labels on the planet, Champagne or otherwise. Though the house does offer a range of single-vineyard and single-year vintage wines, it is the non-vintage Grande Cuvee for which it is rightly famous. Make no mistake: This is not an entry-level wine, with prices starting at around $160, or $78 for the half-bottle. Each modern Krug comes marked with a Krug ID on the back of the label, which allows you to quickly look up what you’re drinking and learn more about its composition. I recently tried a bottle from the 168th edition of Krug Grand Reserve, “a blend of over 120 individual wines from more than 10 different years,” per Krug ID. This particular release is a blend of dominant pinot noir (53 percent), alongside chardonnay (35 percent) and pinot meunier (13 percent). In the glass, this wine is deeply structured and muscular, like drinking really good white Burgundy or classy California chardonnay. Wine lovers will go on and on about Krug’s finesse, balance, depth, piquant measured sweetness, and long finish. More casual drinkers might be just as happy with a bottle half the price. For what it’s worth, I think Krug is better than Dom, better than Cristal even (the top-shelf Roederer bottling), and second only to the unscalable heights of Salon for the finest house Champagne in the world. There is no other wine that’s like it. I’m a Krug truther, especially if you’re buying." - Jordan Michelman

"Charles Krug is Napa Valley's oldest wine estate, featuring European flair and offering a range of varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. They provide daily Estate Tastings and Tour and Tastings, as well as a Cabana Experience with Wi-Fi-enabled cabanas. The winery also offers virtual tastings and is planning additional virtual events including a fashion show, comedy show, and speakers series."

"They tasted at the big four — Inglenook, Beaulieu, Charles Krug, and Louis Martini — and lunched with a winery publicist on ravioli, chicken with mushrooms, and small, sweet spring peas." - John Birdsall