As well, Layla, who is an that internationally renowned artist, has turned the first floor of the winery into a living art gallery; unlike other wineries in Napa Valley where there are vast collections of important art, Charter Oak is the only one where you can sip your wine and actually talk to the artist who painted the evocative oil paintings on the walls. (Go to Layla’s web site in advance of visiting Charter Oak to see how she treats her subject themes, cities of the world and wine. Go to www.laylafanucci.com.)

Rob Fanucci: "My grandparents lived on this property and my grandfather planted vines here when he landed from Luca, Italy. My earliest memories of Guido Ragghianti, my grandfather (nonno, in Italian), are of him picking and crushing grapes in the vineyard surrounding our home. My first memory of wine: seeing crushed grapes in large, wooden fermentation tanks, behind our home. I was mesmerized by the color, smell, and taste of the crushed grapes. I distinctively remember putting my fingers in the grape must and licking the luscious juice from my fingers. I spent hours doing this one harvest and, as I reflect, was lucky that the juice had not yet fermented – otherwise I would have been one dizzy, sick Italian boy!"

Charter Oak wines are unfined and unfiltered. All grapes -- Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon -- are fermented on natural yeast. Wooden tools crafted -- and used -- by Rob's grandfather Guido are used to punch down the cap on fermenting wines three times a day for the duration of fermentation.

Rob: "I work the must into a foamy lather. No one makes wine quite this way any more. We press out the fermented juice in Guido's 85-year-old wooden, basket press. We believe this may explain why our wines are silken and so beautifully textured. For sure, our elementary winemaking techniques -- natural fermentation, and the punch-down of the cap with hand-made wooden tools -- are some of the secrets of our success. There is nothing quite as beautiful as being outdoors, out behind our home, punching down the grape cap, watching the sun shine down on the bubbling, purple juice. I live for this annual experience, which nourishes my soul."

Charter Oak wines are NOT industrial, or commercial wines; they are lovingly made, traditional, handcrafted wines. Rob, David and Jim are veritable "garagistes," turning out wines of sublime texture and flavor in extremely limited quantity.

For more information on the winery, go to www.charteroakwine.com.