About The Winery
The Vineyards
GALLAGHER'S VINEYARD
Gallagher's Vineyard is located in the heart of Napa Valley's cabernet growing region, in the Oak Knoll Dirstrict. This tiny 1-1/2 acre vineyard is situated on a west facing slope of the Silverado Trail. A porous volcanic sub- structure beneath the topsoil provides superb drainage. Grower, Brian Gallagher, hand tends his plot and knows each vine intimately. As the result of his efforts, the grapes are fat, ripe and loaded with varietal flavors.The combination of vineyard location, soil and vineyard practices yields fully mature fruit with true Cabernet Franc varietal characteristics. Production is very limited. Grower, Bryan Gallagher, and Winemaker, Gary Wooton, have created a series of award winning Cabernet Franc since 1995. 2005 marks the 10th Anniversary of their collaberation at Gallagher's Vineyard.
TANNER VINEYARD
This Sierra Foothills vineyard is located in the Calaveras growing region near Murphys. The vineyard is planted in well drained, porous volcanic soil with southern exposure. Situated at 2000 feet elevation, the fruit benefits from warm days and cool nights during the growing season. The Tanner Brothers follow integrated farming practices, using conservative biological, cultural and ecological solutions. This protects the integrity of the vineyard and ensures the best quality fruit. Ten acres of Syrah was planted in 1998. The vines are Clone 6 on 1103 rootstock. The vineyard is on a modified Lyre trellis system with rows oriented east to west for maximum sunlight and even air flow to the grapes. These conditions yield even ripening and flavorful, fully mature fruit. The result is a very special SMITH WOOTON SYRAH, created by grower and winemaker.
DeCONINCK VINEYARDS
Located in the Napa Valley in the southern portion of the Cabernet region, is DeConinck Vineyard. Temperatures here, are cooler than upper Napa Valley, which yields higher acids at grape maturity and generally, longer hang time. This contributes to our Bordeaux style of Cabernet. This beautiful vineyard is bordered by the Napa River and disected by Milikin Creek. It's gravelly soil makes it ideal for growing the Bordeaux style grapes favored by our Winemaker.
Our premier release, 1998 CROZE Cabernet Sauvignon began life in this vineyard. Other CROZE Cabernets from this vineyard include 1999, 2002 and 2005.
MONTE LAGO VINEYARDS
Our Premier Sauvignon Blanc comes from Monte Lago Vineyards, located in the Northern hills above Clearlake. The vineyards are blessed with hot days, cool nights and challenging terrain. The terroir is perfect for producing low yield, intensely varietal grapes. Grapes mature early which helps preserve the fresh fruit character important in Sauvignon Blanc. The low yield adds to the complexity of flavors, and makes it possible to produce a complex white wine with an agreeably long finish. We are pleased to find this exceptional Sauvignon Blanc vineyard.
TENBRINK VINEYARDS
Our Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for Rose' come from Tenbrink Vineyards in Suisun Valley just across the eastern shills from Napa Valley. Here, the daylight hours are just a bit warmer, without the cooling marine influence of the San Francisco Bay. Soil and climate are sijilar to South Central France, where Rose' is Queen. Steve Tenbrink grew these luscious Cabernet Sauvignon grapes especially for Rose'.
As a happy coincidence, these conditions also produce ideal grapes for our Cabernet Sauvignon Port. Increased heat hours brings grapes to full ripeness early in the season. By leaving the grapes on the vine until late Autumn they continue to mature, creating higher sugars needed to produce our dark and fruity port wine.
