Hello Mountain Wine Club!
For the April 2023 Mountain Wine Club shipment, we are sending two of Napa Valley’s finest wines: 2018 Mt. Brave Malbec from Mount Veeder, and 2018 Restricted Cabernet Sauvignon from Spring Mountain District.
Spring in the vineyard marks the reawakening of the vines. The vines are greening up as shoots and buds begin to grow. Bud break, Flowering, and other important vineyard transitions are laying the groundwork for the next vintage. The vines are using water and stored nutrients from winter to bring them one step closer to harvest.
The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for these wines come from outstanding blocks on our estate vineyards. Established in 1993, the Spring Mountain District appellation sits above the town of St. Helena on the eastern slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains. The Restricted Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from the Yverdon Vineyard. The vineyard is located at 1,800 feet of elevation with primarily weathered volcanic soils and high drainage. Cool daytime temperatures, rocky soil and sharply inclined vineyard terraces combine to create ideal growing conditions.
The Mt. Brave Vineyard located near the peak of Mt. Veeder was first planted with wine grapes in the early 1860s and now is the location for some of the oldest vineyards in Napa Valley. The Malbec vineyards sit at an elevation of 1,800 feet which helps keep midday temperatures down compared to the valley floor. The vines are positioned right above the fog line which helps increase sunlight exposure during the day and leads to longer growing seasons and complex flavors. High-elevation winemaking requires a much more labor-intensive and hands on approach which you can taste in every drop of the wine.
We look forward to sharing 2018 Mt. Brave Malbec from Mount Veeder, and 2018 Restricted Cabernet Sauvignon from Spring Mountain District with you.
Enjoy!
Peace,
Winemaker Chris Carpenter
