Domaine Charbay
Short about the distillery
Domaine Charbay is a family-owned winery and distillery located on Spring Mountain in Napa Valley, about a 15-minute drive from St. Helena. Since 1993 the family has produced small batches of wines, California Port, and aged brandy by combining winemaking, distillation, and fortification under one roof. The long family commitment and focus on patience and quality make the place an attractive, artisanal alternative in Napa.
History
The Karakasevic family traces a wine- and distillation tradition back to 1751. Miles Karakasevic came to the USA in 1962 after oenology and viticulture training in Belgrade and worked as winemaster in Napa Valley in 1972. He opened the first Norwegian chapter of his American career with Domaine Karakash in Ukiah in 1983. Ten years later, in 1993, Miles and Susan established Domaine Charbay in St. Helena on Spring Mountain, where they combined their experience in wine and distillation. Generation 13 is represented by Marko Karakasevic, who serves as Master Distiller and continues the family's craft with a focus on both tradition and innovation.
Raw materials and production
Domaine Charbay combines winemaking, distillation, and fortification in-house. The wines and brandies are not produced from their own vineyards; instead, the grapes are purchased from carefully selected growers in Napa Valley, where Charbay prioritizes small batches of high quality. Brandy No.83 is distilled 100% from Folle Blanche in a Charentais-style alambic pot still, the same type of pot still used in Cognac. Brandy No.89 is a blend of Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc and was bottled at a higher strength of 92 proof (46% ABV). The ports are fortified with barrel-aged brandy, a conscious, costlier choice to add extra complexity.
Maturation and barrel types
Aged brandies are stored in French oak barrels, and Brandy No.83 is described as having been aged in French oak barrels for decades. Additionally, barrel-aged brandies are used as part of the fortification of the ports. The site does not provide detailed aging times for all products, but emphasizes that patience and longer aging are central elements of the production.
Whiskies
Charbay produces a small, hand-built collection consisting of California Ports, aged brandies, and select Napa wines. Names mentioned in the material include Distillers’ Port, Still House Port, Charbay Brandy No.83, Charbay Brandy No.89, and an example of a wine, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon from Stags Leap District. The products are built in layers, and the ports are fortified with barrel-aged brandy to achieve extra depth.
Style and flavor profile of the whiskies
The written product descriptions point to three clear directions: the ports carry acidity and nutty elements, including notes described as 'nutiness' and 'ample acidity'; dried fruits such as 'dried cranberries' are mentioned, and nutty notes like almond in the finish. The brandy releases are described as soft with a touch of sweetness and a well-balanced, refined character. These descriptions recur across products and give an overall picture of fruity, nutty, and softly sweet-toned expressions.
Visiting the distillery
The site provides a direct contact point for inquiries: you can call (707) 963-9327 or write by e-mail for questions or assistance. There are no specific opening hours, booking system, or details about guided tours and tastings listed; all visitor-related inquiries are handled via phone or e-mail.
Philosophy and craftsmanship
Charbay places emphasis on patience, tradition, and creativity in the craft. They combine winemaking, distillation, and fortification in-house to control quality and prefer to pay top dollar for small lots of quality grapes rather than cultivating their own vineyards. Fortification of the ports with barrel-aged brandy and a gentle, layered buildup of flavor express their values of not compromising.