Lonely Hearts Club – El Dorado County
Perched inside a beautifully restored vintage gas station on Foothill Boulevard in Calistoga, in the heart of Napa Valley, Tank Garage Winery is unlike any other winery. What was once a roadside fuel stop has been transformed into a creative winery and tasting destination where innovation replaces convention, and every bottle tells a different story.
Standing beside the building are the station’s original vintage fuel pumps, preserved as a tribute to the site’s past. They no longer dispense gasoline, but they still deliver inspiration through the words painted across them: “Never Dream Alone.”
Just beyond the pumps is the Lubrication Bar, a playful nod to the building’s automotive heritage. Instead of motor oil, visitors are treated to an impressive selection of wines and spirits, while the spacious tasting room offers leather armchairs, soft lighting, and nostalgic music that perfectly complement the relaxed atmosphere.
Tank Garage Winery proudly embraces a philosophy of constant experimentation. Its motto is simple: “Napa Valley doesn’t need another Cabernet Sauvignon.” Rather than producing predictable wines, every vintage is conceived as a one-time creation. Winemaker Bertus Van Zyl, originally from South Africa, carefully selects grapes from different vineyards each year to craft limited-production blends that will never be repeated.
Featured Wine: Lonely Hearts Club – El Dorado County
This dry red blend combines 46% Grenache, 40% Mourvèdre, 10% Cinsault, with smaller amounts of Négrette and Barbera. The wine opens with vibrant aromas of fresh red berries, strawberry, melon, and rose water. On the palate it is rich and expressive, revealing layers of ginger and spice as it evolves in the glass. The Grenache and Mourvèdre lend the wine an unmistakable Rhône Valley character, creating a festive, elegant, and deeply flavorful experience.
Recommended serving temperature: 14–16°C (57–61°F).
What Makes It Special
A winery housed inside a historic gas station—where creativity, craftsmanship, and a passion for unique wines have transformed an ordinary roadside landmark into one of Napa Valley’s most memorable wine destinations.
Website: www.tankgaragewinery.com/Dream/Winemaking
