We paid a visit to Ashley and Chris last Wednesday. They are both taking care of the Black Sears vineyard and winery on top of Howell Mountain at the northern tip of Napa Valley. They made us feel very welcome and were very patient with all of our questions. They even let us play in the vineyard where we spread hay in preparation for the rain.

Black Sears grow a little more than 20 acres of vines, mostly Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. They farm it organically and most of it is dry-farmed. We witnessed a pump-over as we toured the winery. We also went down to the cave and tasted their Zin and their Cab Sev straight from the barrel: om nom nom nom.

We interviewed both of them at the same time, on a picnic table outside the winery. It was a very good day for us. Thanks to Ashley and Chris!