V. Sattui brings back free wine tasting

Volume 20 Number 43, Oct. 20, 2025

V. Sattui held a grand opening for its expanded and impressive “Mercato del Gusto” in St. Helena last week. As I wrote about earlier, it expanded its tasting room and deli, opening it up into an impressive destination with all tasting at seated bars designed to encourage conversations.

The cheese sections and deli are exemplary, and the choices are wide. You can take the food to the picnic tables outside or consume them as you taste.

Next year is the winery’s 50th anniversary and Dario  President Tom Davies and Dario Sattui
Sattui recounted the winery’s history to the media who gathered the night before the grand opening and harvest party. President Tom Davies, who has been with him 46 years, also spoke.

Sattui is famously frugal, if very generous to the community, and that’s probably because he started out with so little. He lived in his VW bus, paid $72,500 for the property (actually, a realtor did, then sold it to Sattui) and scrimped and saved.

He started making wine in 1975. He admits, “I didn’t know how to make wine or run a business so I did what made sense to me.” That includes being one of the first wineries to sell only direct to consumers and start a wine club, but he also chose a commercially zoned property that allowed him to have a deli and hold weddings.

Also fighting trends, the winery has brought back free tastings: On Tuesday and Thursday, you can try three wines – Chard, rosé of Pinot and Cab – free. And, as in the old days, people buy wine they like. (Nearby Raymond does that Thursday and Sunday.)

V. Sattui is built as much for locals as tourists. Visit and maybe even taste free. It’s not your father’s V. Sattui Winery.

V. Sattui Winery, 1111 White Lane at Highway 29, St. Helena, www.vsattui.com