Calistoga Winery
We take a vineyard-focused approach to winemaking at Elusa. With the goal of capturing what happens on the vines and in the soil—and distinguishes the vintage—as transparently as possible. It is a philosophy and a disposition toward the fruit and the land championed by winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, one of Napa Valley’s most respected winemakers. His accolades are legion, his craftsmanship impeccable, and his relationships with the premier growers of the Calistoga AVA set Elusa wines apart.
Our Story
The original inhabitants of Calistoga used the word “elusa” to signify keeping hold of something precious. Elusa wines are crafted with minimal intervention to spotlight their prized vineyard origins. These wines reflect our commitment to remain obsessively local, and to foreground what is powerfully unique to this less-travelled outpost of the Napa Valley. Our winemaking holds the vineyard above all else. Our hospitality elevates the Elusa guest experience to a curated immersion in the crafting of rare wines.
Power and Restraint
The Calistoga AVA is where the greatest temperature shifts occur in the Napa Valley. The daytime heat is ideal for letting clusters hang to peak ripeness, while the cool of night allows the vines to rest, resulting in a more balanced wine, at once powerful and restrained.
Tasting Sessions
Get acquainted with our latest releases. Delve into the Elusa library with a vertical of Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon. Or take a guided tour of the vineyard and winery and taste various stages en route to the finished wine.