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Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Our current vintage (2013) was grown in the Stags Leap District by longtime friend, Manny.

Moving Cabernet into position

Moving Cabernet into position

Getting ready for whole berry fermentation in open fermentors - considered pretty risky, given wild yeasts

Pump-Overs (4 Times Daily)

Pump-Overs (4 Times Daily)

'Breaking the cap' ensures that the grape skins get maximum extraction

Late Fall = Time to Barrel

Late Fall = Time to Barrel

Our Cabernet can sometimes be done fermenting as late as December.

Using a 'thief'

Using a 'thief'

Barrel tasting is a must - and part of the fun of visiting

The Angel's Share

The Angel's Share

Uncle John pitches in to keep the wine topped-up

Charbay Small Lot Wines

Charbay Small Lot Wines

Featuring Charbay's signature smooth tannins & full body...A treasure hunt for the intrepid

OUR WINEMAKING

During a season, we hand-make a number of wines and spirits by fermenting and distilling sometimes a dozen or more kinds of fruit.

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They all require various soils, sites and climates. So we leave fruit growing to other professionals.

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By paying them the top price for small amounts of the finest fruits we need each year, we are free to concentrate on our strengths, the art of winemaking and distilling. This way we can choose the fruit grown by the professionals on the best growing sites.

 

We do get the best of many worlds this way. We are lucky. Most of our growers are friends by now.

 

Let me explain to you our process of red winemaking, a simple operation that separates Masters from others!

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The process consists of and requires the following: Experience, time, money, luck, best fruit, good destemer/crusher, small open-top fermenters, yeasts, strong back for stirring must, good must-pump, old basket press, best French oak barrels, cool barrel-aging cellar, filter, bottling equipment, bottles, corks, foils and label and, finally: You, our customer, who appreciates the horrendous amount of hard work, time and expenses that go into each bottle of Domaine Charbay products.

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- As written by Miles Karakasevic, Founder & 12th Generation Master Winemaker/Distiller

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