A new name is emerging on Atlas Peak that aims to solidify the appellation as one ofNapa Valley's premier regions for fine, age-worthy cabernet sauvignon.
Ideally situated on 116 acres of organically farmed vineyards, Acumen benefits from Atlas Peak's high-elevation, volcanic soils and long growing season; and the team of industry veterans there believes the appellation is at its pinnacle for producing top tier cabernet. While Acumen's small-production wines are slowly trickling into Bay Area restaurants and high-end wine shops, the producer remains one of Wine Country's best kept secrets.
The Estate on Atlas Peak is not accessible to visitors but, luckily for wine lovers, Acumen has created an urban oasis for those eager to taste their Bordeaux varietal Peak and Mountainside wines. Centrally located in the heart of downtown Napa, the Acumen Wine Gallery captures the Napa Valley spirit in a refined space that maintains warmth as well as a bold aesthetic, achieved through beautiful materials—think sumptuous leather, modern metals, and a rustic-chic twist in reclaimed wood furniture and fixtures. Sustainable design elements include gold-leaf dome lights made from tank heads and a wood bar façade crafted from a fallen tree at Atlas Peak vineyard.
In this stylish lounge, walk-in visitors can experience two casual and convivial tasting flights; or for a more intimate, comprehensive tasting, the new Summit Experience explores Acumen's acclaimed estate-grown wines. Offered by reservation only, guests are guided through a collection of six extraordinary bottlings, each expertly paired with a delectable bite prepared by chef Natalie Niksa of La Saison Napa Valley.
Art lovers will delight in the contemporary gallery here. The opening exhibition, titled Peak, presents 12 large-format oil paintings by Vincent Xeus, showcasing the breathtaking beauty of Acumen's estate vineyards on Atlas Peak.
Surrounded by a number of fantastic restaurants and hotels, including the new Archer Hotel Napa, the Acumen Wine Gallery is just a short drive away from anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area. With no crowds this time of year, it's the perfect chance to visit. What are you waiting for? // Acumen Wine Gallery, 1315 First St. (Napa), acumenwine.com
