Estate Vineyard – Napa

Our 14 1/2 acre property home and vineyard sits in the shadow of Atlas Peak, just south of Stags Leap, where it enjoys cool breezes from San Pablo Bay to the south. The growing conditions here are ideal for producing big, rich, complex wines.

The vineyard was first planted it in 1996 using “bench grafted vines” which were quite new back then. With bench grafting, the plants are raised at the nursery for one to two years before planting. This cuts about a year off the vine’s development, allowing it to deliver usable fruit in its fourth leaf rather than its fifth.

The estate is planted entirely to Cabernet Sauvignon. We grow three clones – 337, 4 and Weimar – on two root stocks: 110R and 3309. The vines are trained in the double cordon method on a single fruiting wire and cordons trained to either side of the trunk. This configuration prevents excessive sunlight exposure so the sugars dont run up before the grapes get a chance to fully ripen. During the growing season we drop close to half of the fruit to select only the best clusters and keep the vines in balance.

We make but a single wine from this vineyard, our Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Production runs between 1,100 and 1,400 cases, depending on the year.

Annapurna Vineyard – Stags Leap

Annapurna Vineyard is in the Stags Leap District, where the Yountville Cross Road meets the Silverado Trail. Often referred to as a “valley within a valley,” Stags Leap is bounded on the east by the towering Stags Leap Palisades and to the west by gently rolling hills. The rock facade of the palisades reflects the heat of the sun onto the vineyards below, causing temperatures to rise more quickly than in neighboring vineyards. As afternoon draws to a close, the hills funnel the cool, marine air north from the San Pablo Bay through the SLD corridor. This cooling effect reduces nighttime temperatures, allowing the grapes to achieve an excellent balance of acid and sugar.

Annapurna is a long-term lease that we have worked with since 2001. The property is about twenty acres with four acres planted with Cabernet Sauvignon vines that are quadrilateral cordon pruned and quadrilateral shoot positioned. The vines are 25+ years old.

We produce our Reserve Cab Sauvignon from this vineyard.

Persistence Vineyard – Coombsville

Persistence Vineyard, which we also own, is a 20-acre property with 15 acres under vine. This property is planted to four Cabernet clones: 7, 191, 337 and 4; two Merlot clones: 3 and 181; one clone of Cabernet Franc: 1; one clone of Petit Verdot: 400; and one clone of Sauvignon Blanc: 1. All are on a mix of root stocks: 1103, 3309 and 101-14.

We make our signature red blend “Persistence” from this vineyard which is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 15% Merlot, 8% Syrah and 2% Petit Verdot. The Syrah we purchase from several different growers who we’ve worked with over the years. One such grower is Somerston whose 660-acre Preach Ranch lies above Lake Hennessy, straddling three of Napa Valley’s sub-appellations.

We also produce our Sauvignon Blanc from this ranch, made with the highly aromatic and structured Musqué clone. The vineyard expresses beautiful pink grapefruit and melon characteristics. We use a mix of concrete egg, stainless steel and wood barrels for fermenting. We look for a Sauv Blanc that is not too sharp or overly bright but round, creamy, and complex. So, we opt for extended time on the lees while stirring in all vessels. Only 400-550 cases of this wine are produced.

Vangone Vineyard – Atlas Peak

Vangone Vineyards was established in 2012 and is adjacent to Rector Reservoir and tucked in the hills between Atlas Peak and Oakville, with elevations from 900 feet to 1500 feet above the valley floor. Just below the Stagecoach property and across from Dalle Valle there are 103 acres, of which approximately 20 acres are planted, of volcanic type soils and several micro-climates that provide the ultimate conditions for growing two high quality Bordeaux varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. A variety of clones and rootstocks were carefully selected to create the best possible outcome from their location in the vineyard. The fruit is typically dark in color with a deep powerful profile and a solid structure. It typically shows dark berries with a hint of mocha on the nose and a touch of stone. The finish is characteristically long on the palate showing power and finesse which is characterized by well-balanced tannins and plenty of freshness. Coupled with the right amount of acidity, wines produced from this vineyard can be enjoyed now, or cellared for many years to come.

Only a few select winemakers have had the chance to buy the fruit from here and the bidding is always ferocious. The blocks we have contracted are a Cabernet Sauvignon (clone 338) and Cabernet Franc (clone 327), both on 3309 rootstocks. A second block of Cabernet (clone 412 on 3309 rootstock) offers different exposures.

The fruit from this property will make up our Cab Franc-based wine called “Due Diligence” that will only be available to our best customers. The name is a nod to the crazy amount of work required to produce great wines with terroir.

Corroto Vineyard – Los Carneros

The Corrotto Vineyard, where we source grapes for both our Pinot Noir and our Chardonnay, has an excellent reputation for producing some of the best Pinot Noir that the Carneros AVA has to offer. The 25+ year old vines are a testament to successful grafting of clone 667 to St. George rootstock.

Carneros is the coolest, windiest, and foggiest of Napa Valley’s sub-appellations. The intrusion of fog in the early afternoon moderates vineyard temperatures, providing just the right conditions for growing cool-climate varietals with crisp acidity and moderate sugar levels. Pinots from Carneros are praised for their crisp, tight structure and spicy berry flavors