Trisha Yearwood Loves Alpha Omega: A Wine Spectator Conversation Worth Raising a Glass To
As featured in Wine Spectator, July 8, 2022. Written by MaryAnn Worobiec.
When Trisha Yearwood tells you she loves a wine, you listen. The Grammy, CMA, and ACM Award-winning country music star, Emmy-honored Food Network host, and bestselling cookbook author has spent decades cultivating a refined palate , one shaped not by formal training, but by a genuine love of discovering what tastes good. In a recent conversation with Wine Spectator senior editor MaryAnn Worobiec, Yearwood revealed that Alpha Omega is among her favorite wineries, a place she hopes to revisit during her trip to Napa Valley for Festival Napa Valley’s Arts for All Gala on July 17, 2022.
For us, that mention is more than a pleasant surprise. It is a reflection of what we have always believed: that the wines we craft from this remarkable stretch of Rutherford Bench and Napa Valley’s most celebrated vineyard sites speak for themselves, reaching people across every walk of life.
From Boone’s Farm to Boutique Napa Cabernet
Yearwood’s wine journey is, by her own account, a thoroughly American story. She grew up in a household where nobody drank. Her first encounter with wine came in college, over bottles of Boone’s Farm Strawberry Hill at $2.19 apiece. From there, a fundraiser dinner in Nashville changed everything. A procession of wines paired with each course opened her eyes to what wine could be. She walked away with a simple philosophy that has guided her ever since: drink what you like.
Over the years, her palate evolved from blush wines to whites, and finally to reds. Today, she gravitates toward Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. However, she also named Alpha Omega as a winery she is a fan of, crediting a friend in the wine business for the introduction. That is perhaps the most authentic kind of discovery: one friend telling another, no marketing required.
Yearwood’s approach to wine mirrors her approach to cooking: strip away the intimidation, trust your instincts, and choose what brings you joy. “Don’t make it so complicated,” she told Wine Spectator. “Drink what you like. That’s all that matters.”
Festival Napa Valley and the Arts for All Gala
Yearwood’s visit to Napa is anchored by Festival Napa Valley, a beloved celebration of world-class performing arts and the generosity of spirit that defines this valley. The 2022 season runs July 15 through 24, with the Arts for All Gala on July 17 featuring Yearwood alongside an extraordinary lineup that includes violinist Joshua Bell, soprano Larisa Martinez, the Brubeck Brothers Quartet, and the Young People’s Chorus of New York City.
Alpha Omega has long been a supporter of Festival Napa Valley. The performing arts education programs it funds represent exactly the kind of investment in community and culture that founders Robin and Michelle Baggett believe in deeply. Our commitment to the Napa Valley community is woven into who we are, not an afterthought. When artists like Trisha Yearwood come to this valley, they step into something larger than any single event: a place that has always known how to bring people together over beauty.
The Wines Trisha Yearwood Loves
What draws someone like Trisha Yearwood to Alpha Omega? We believe it is the same thing that draws collectors, first-time visitors, and longtime members of our wine family: wines that are honest about where they come from.
Every bottle that leaves our estate on the Rutherford Bench carries the fingerprint of a specific place. Our AVA Series Cabernets capture the distinct personalities of Napa Valley’s most storied sub-appellations: the volcanic soils and altitude of Atlas Peak, the mountain intensity of Mount Veeder, the legendary dust and grace of Rutherford, and the opulent depth of Oakville.
Head Winemaker Melissa Paris brings a terroir-specific sensibility to every wine she crafts. Of the 2022 Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon, she said: “Poised and powerfully ripe, the 2022 Atlas Peak Cabernet captures this high altitude, volcanic soil laden region’s personality , well defined fruit, graphite and a vibrant personality.” That specificity, that rootedness in place, is what makes these wines worth returning to.
In addition, our single vineyard wines from sites including Beckstoffer To Kalon in Oakville and Beckstoffer Georges III in Rutherford represent some of the most celebrated terroir in the world. These are wines built for cellars and for sharing, wines that reward patience and generosity in equal measure.
A Philosophy Worth Sharing
Trisha Yearwood’s advice about wine is some of the best we have heard, and she arrived at it entirely on her own terms. Remove the intimidation. Trust your palate. The worst that can happen is that you learn something.
That philosophy resonates here. Our estate at 1155 Mee Lane in Rutherford was designed to welcome people at every stage of their wine journey, from those tasting a Napa Cabernet for the first time to collectors who have been following our single vineyard releases for years. Walk-ins are welcome when availability allows. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome on the estate. Children are welcome, too. Furthermore, the fountains, the tranquil pond, and the views across to the Mayacamas Mountains have a way of making every visit feel like exactly the right occasion.
We are also proud to note that our estate operates almost entirely on solar power and carries Napa Green certification for both land and winery. Our sustainable farming practices reflect a commitment to this land that goes far beyond any single vintage.
Visit Us in Napa Valley
If Trisha Yearwood’s enthusiasm for Alpha Omega has you curious, we invite you to experience these wines for yourself. Our estate on the Rutherford Bench is one of the most warmly received tasting destinations in Napa Valley, recognized by Napa Life Magazine for the best tasting room experience in the valley.
Whether you are planning a visit during Festival Napa Valley or simply looking for an exceptional afternoon in wine country, we would love to pour something memorable for you.
- Acquire: Explore our current releases and find the wine that speaks to you.
- Reserve a Tasting: Plan your visit to our Rutherford estate and let us customize a flight to your palate.
- Join the Wine Club: Become part of the Alpha Omega family and receive curated selections, member-only events, and preferred access to our most celebrated bottles.