Fodor's Expert Review Mira Winery
Editor's Note: This location is no longer in operation.
A close encounter of the wine kind—California winemaker and political communications expert (in this instance, Jim "Bear" Dyke) strike up a conversation in a Washington, D.C., bar—led to the formation of this winery devoted to single-vineyard wines from southern Napa Valley vineyards. At the time, the winemaker, Gustavo A. Gonzalez, headed up the red-wine program at Robert Mondavi Winery. Scaling down at Mira (from the Latin root word for "miracle"), he contributed his knowledge, connections, but most of all wise, restrained approach to creating Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a few others. These unshowy but powerful wines, plus whites that include Chardonnay and a Sauvignon Gris fermented in a rare egg-shaped oak vessel, are served at a stone and glass hospitality house adjoining the winery. The structure's tall windows and outdoor seating areas take full advantage of Mira's setting between the Mayacamas Mountains and Wappo Hill.
