My Photos of Cathy Corison: Chronicle's Pick for 2011 Winemaker of the Year

It was a delight to pick up the Sunday Chronicle this afternoon and see that Napa Cab maker extraordinaire Cathy Corison was chosen Winemaker of the Year by Jon Bonne. Maker of elegant Cabs both from her own estate in Napa (which she owns) as well as a vineyard she's worked with for years (which she doesn't own), Corison's touch is more than deft.

While I don't usually write about winery's that are not certified organic, I am happy to see that she has won this coveted title, which must be in part the result of her organic practices at her estate vineyard in St. Helena, the source of her Chronos wines. (It is organic, but not certified.)

Her lower priced Cabernet line is not organically grown.

Enjoy these photos from the lovely private tour and tasting she hosted me at earlier this year.

I recommend a visit - you'll be treated to a beautiful sitdown tasting in the vineyard barn and a view of the inner world of one of Napa's finest - without commercial artifice or pretension.

The story of how Corison came to own the vineyard is extraordinary...a great stroke of luck and good fortune!

Since Corison does only one estate wine (Cabernet) every year, the seated tasting is a vertical flight.

Let Cathy show you the difference between organically farmed vineyards (on her estate) and her neighbors' (nonorganic)

Cathy hosts tours at the winery and is happy to talk about the vineyard just outside the barn where she grows all the grapes for her Chronos wine

View of Corison from Highway 29 in Napa