Happy Hour Featuring Krupp Brothers Napa Valley Wines with Special Guest Sandy Huffine Executive Vice President Thursday, March 12, 2026 6:00 PM
Wine, Wine, Wine
All hail the Grape Divine!
Wine, Wine, Wine
Makes everyone feel fine!
You got yours, and I got mine -
Wine, Wine, Wine, Wine, Wine!
Cabernet Sauvignon is the most popular red wine in the world today and when it comes to immediate gratification wines this varietal it is hard to beat.
Most people know about Napa Valley's Cabernet Sauvignon and although it only accounts for around 3-5% of the total production in terms of volume it is probably closer to 40-50% of all the total volume in terms of dollars. They do make great Cabernet Sauvignon in Sonoma and even places like the Santa Cruz Mountains but the most sought after Cabernet Sauvignon from California comes from Napa Valley.
The Cabernet Sauvignon grape is a relatively new invention it is the result of the combination of a white varietal Sauvignon Blanc and a red grape Cabernet Franc crossed by some mad grape scientist in southwest France in the 17th century. Because of its thick skin and relative ease of cultivation this varietal has spread around the world and makes high quality full bodied red wines in many parts of the wine world.
California Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the easiest wine tastings to sell, can you say immediate gratification, but these wines can age for 20+ years in a very good vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon always draws a crowd and this is a walk around wine tasting featuring one of the top small wineries in Napa Valley Krupp Brothers.
Wine Watch has been selling the Krupp Brothers wines for over 20 years, and I first met Jan Krupp at Gary Danko restaurant we were both dining at the bar. Jan and his brother Bart founded Stagecoach Vineyard in the mid 1990’s and this was a spot that was looked at by Robert Mondavi, Jess Jackson and others but no one thought they could find enough water up there to propagate a vineyard successfully. With the help of a water witch the Krupp brothers did what no one thought was possible, they planted one of the largest continuous vineyards in Napa Valley.
We have hosted several events over the years with Jan and Krupp Brothers wines, but it has been a few years since we have had anyone from the winery at the wine bar so it will be good to reconnect with our friends for a casual happy hour wine tasting.
The fee for this tasting is $95 + tax for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.
Happy Hour Featuring Krupp Brothers Napa Valley Wines
with Special Guest Sandy Huffine Executive Vice President
Thursday, March 12, 2026
6:00 PM
2022 Krupp Brothers Chardonnay Napa Valley
Price: $83.25 Your Price: $73.26
Krupp Brothers Chardonnay 2022 is a testament to the rich terroir of Napa Valley, where the finest grapes are selected from premier vineyards. With an inviting aroma of ripe pineapple and zesty lemon curd, this wine features delicate whispers of gardenia and tarragon. On the palate, it delivers lively Meyer lemon notes with vibrant acidity, complemented by the smooth indulgence of sweet cream and graham cracker, culminating in a luxurious body with a lingering tangy pomelo finish.
2022 Krupp Brothers Veraison Cabernet Sauvignon Napa
Price: $90.00 Your Price: $79.20
This Cabernet Sauvignon opens with captivating aromas of violet, rose petal, and awarm hint of cinnamon. The palate is bright and full-bodied, beginning with rich flavors of plum and cocoa, followed by vibrant dark pomegranate. A long, satisfying finish of juicy black cherry completes this elegant and well-balanced wine. Pair with bone-in ribeye with cremini mushrooms, eggplant Parmesan, or linguini with meatballs and tomato-basil sauce. Drink now through 2040.
2022 Krupp Brothers Stagecoach Vineyard Synchrony Red, Napa Valley
Price: $185.75 Your Price: $163.46
This wine offers a captivating nose, with top notes of ripe blackberry and violet, followed by delicate hints of rose and a subtle undertone of California bay leaf. On the palate, the wine is lush and elegant, with a smooth and lasting finish. The entrance is vibrant,
featuring cherry and blackberry flavors, which transition into a rich mid-palate of cocoa. The finish lingers gracefully with notes of currant. Pair with pepper-crusted salmon and mushroom risotto or seared veal chop with a thyme and bay leaf pan sauce. Drink now through 2035.
2022 Krupp Brothers The Doctor Napa
Price: $175.00 Your Price: $154.00
This wine opens with inviting aromas of black cherry, milk chocolate, and a touch of cardamom, creating a complex and enticing bouquet. On the palate, it offers a lush, round body with elegant tannins and a long finish. The entry is bright with cherry
flavors, which seamlessly transition into a rich mid-palate of chocolate interlaced with anise, adding depth. The structure offers a lingering finish with a kiss of chocolate. Pair with garlic sage pork chop, roasted lamb with fresh herbs, or Mimolette cheese. Drink now through 2038.
2022 Krupp Brothers Stagecoach Vineyard The Water Witch Napa
Price: $112.50 Your Price: $99.00
This wine opens with aromas of blueberry, chocolate and a touch of cardamom, all culminating in delicate violet scents. On the palate, The Water Witch greets with a bright entry transitioning to a medium body supported by elegant tannins. An initial burst of blueberry leads to a chocolatey mid-palate, concluding with a hint of black pepper on the finish. Pair with lasagna, or roasted garlic and caper branzino with roasted potatoes and cippolini onions. Drink now through 2037.
2022 Krupp Brothers M5 Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa
Price: $270.00 Your Price: $237.60
(93 Points) This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon was aged for 19 months in 96% new French oak. The M5 delivers bold aromas of blackberry, cassis, graphite, and new wood cedar, layered with dark chocolate and a hint of incense. Full-bodied and rich, it features robust tannins that provide structure and depth, leading to a long, espresso bean and caramel-scented finish. As is typical of this blend, it exhibits power and muscle, holding its own impressively in the challenging 2022 vintage. Best cellared until 2026, this wine promises to evolve beautifully and can be enjoyed over the following decade or more—a compelling and intense expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. Decanter
Menu
All American Beef Sliders
Charcuterie Pizza
Tuna Tacos
Pork Belly Bites with Current BBQ
Truffle Fries
The fee for this tasting is $95 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.
A bit about the Krupp brothers:
An oenophile with a green thumb, Jan was a hobby winemaker and suburban farmer in the San Francisco Bay Area for 15 years. Though a full-time doctor, in his spare time, he grew everything from green beans to gooseberries and produced beautiful wines, using his driveway and basement as a makeshift winery.
While still a full-time doctor Jan moved to Napa in 1991, to start growing things on a larger scale – beginning with a 41-acre vineyard around his new home. With his brother Bart, he would develop two more vineyards, including the iconic Stagecoach Vineyard. In 1998, he sold his medical practice and the following year, Bart and Jan founded the winery.
Bart was in his early 20s when his older brother Jan would return to New Jersey to visit his family with magnificent California wines in tow. As Bart began to become more knowledgeable, he would seek out European wines – which were then much more prevalent than California wines on the east coast – for his brother to try.
Together, the two developed their palates, broadened their knowledge and strengthened their brotherly bond. Bart’s wise counsel and support have been crucial to the success of the vineyards and Krupp Brothers. Bart passed away in 2024.
For over 20 years, Sandy has been instrumental in the success of Krupp Brothers, bringing its exceptional wines to top restaurants and retailers across the country and beyond. With a deep passion for food, wine, and storytelling, she thrives on sharing the rich history of Krupp Brothers with enthusiasts everywhere.
Sandy’s journey with Krupp Brothers began while managing the Fine Wine portfolio for Republic Beverage Company in Texas. Her infectious energy, warm personality, and love for connecting with people make her a true ambassador for the brand.
Stagecoach Vineyard
Rising high above marine layer fog in the Vaca Mountains with red, volcanic rocky soil, Stagecoach Vineyard produces some of Napa Valley’s most coveted fruit.
Dr. Jan Krupp and his brother Bart fell in love with the rugged mountain site that would become one of Napa’s most iconic vineyards. Despite a harsh landscape—riddled with rocks and boulders, choked with chaparral—and the absence of a known water source or road access, they saw the makings of a world-class vineyard. In 1995, with the help of a water witch, the removal of more than 1 million tons of rock, and the construction of a snaking road requiring 135 legal documents, Stagecoach Vineyard was born. Today, Stagecoach is one of the two largest vineyards in Napa, with nearly 500 acres planted, providing fruit for some of the area’s finest wineries.
Though the brothers sold the vineyard in 2017, Jan continues to source from its best blocks for Krupp Brothers wines. Stagecoach fruit brings bold tannins, layered flavors of fruit, herbs, and spice, and the structure to age gracefully for decades
Krupp Brothers Estate Vineyard
When Dr. Jan Krupp and Bart Krupp acquired the winery in 2017, Jan set about to reshape the surrounding vineyard. Though Stagecoach is perched atop rugged volcanic slopes, and the Estate nestled into the Silverado Bench on the valley floor—they share key traits: rocky, complex soils and microclimates that favor balanced, powerful fruit.
At the Estate, a 98-foot knoll and nearby lake mirror Stagecoach’s natural advantages. The lake helps regulate temperature much like Stagecoach’s boulder-strewn terrain, by warming evenings and reducing frost risk. Though lower in elevation, the Estate’s position helps buffer against temperature swings. Jan replanted a third of the 13-acre vineyard, introducing clones he knew from Stagecoach were exceptional. Among them is the Weimer Cabernet clone, a standout in M5.
The Estate fruit is intensely flavorful, structured yet supple, bursting with black and blue fruits and polished tannins. The Sauvignon Blanc is equally compelling, offering a bright, well-balanced expression with layered tropical flavors. Grapes from the Estate are blended with fruit from Stagecoach and other prized sources to create wines such as Veraison Cabernet, Synchrony, and Water Witch.
J-Squared Vineyard
Tucked into the Coombsville appellation, J-Squared benefits from the cooling influence of nearby San Pablo Bay. Gentle marine breezes and morning fog create a temperate climate—warm, sunny afternoons promote ripening, while cool mornings and evenings help retain vibrant acidity. The gravelly loam soil—a mix of small rocks, volcanic ash, sand, silt, and clay—ensures excellent drainage and a balanced supply of nutrients. These ideal conditions produce wines with vivid fruit character, lively acidity, and supple, well-integrated tannins—qualities beautifully showcased in The Damsel Rosé and often complementing fruit from other sources in The Doctor and The Wheelman.
The name is a tribute to Dr. and Mrs. Krupp, who share the first name Jan, J-Squared spans nine acres surrounding their home. Each block of the vineyard bears the name of one of their beloved grandchildren.
Wine Watch on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok?
Welcome to the future! Wine Watch is now even more active on social media. In addition to Instagram and Facebook, we are now on TikTok! With our new social media manager, Isabella, we have time to curate more wine content.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for our weekly wine tasting content. We will:
- Promote Wine Watch events happening at the start of every week
- Update the day of the tasting
- Share how the wine was the day after on the Instagram live show, “What I Drank Yesterday”
- Bonus: Educational content, bloopers, wine interviews, and much more!
You can also find us on TikTok, but this is more experimental. I would expect:
- Less consistent posting
- Funnier videos
- Blooper reels
- Trend-Based content
Links:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/winewatch?igsh=bmUybXJlNm45ZHFy&utm_source=qr
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/share/17dUntao6C/?mibextid=wwXIfr
TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@wine.watch?_r=1&_t=ZT-94HAtTe9ovW
Please contact Isabella, isabella@winewatch.com, if you have any proposals for collaborations.
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