Page 20 - GV2020 Portfolio Master

SPRING MOUNTAIN

Currently known for its mountain-grown Cabernets, this region’s first premium wines were whites,
particularly Chardonnay and Riesling. The vineyards in this part of Napa County are hand-tilled and
range from small to smaller. Grapes are handpicked on steep, east-facing terraces of the Mayacamas
Mountains. Vineyards are situated from 400-2,600 feet above sea level. Due to the higher elevations
of the vineyards, fog is not a factor here like it is in much of Napa Valley. However, an afternoon
breeze from San Pablo Bay cools the vines in the afternoon. Days are cooler and nights are warmer
than on the valley floor. The growing season is long, ranging from mid-March to as late as
November. Spring Mountain District’s wine-growing history reaches back as far as the Civil War.
By 1874, the legendary Beringer brothers had a vineyard planted here, and in 1893 Tiburcio
Parrot’s Miravalle Vineyards won a gold medal for Spring Mountain at the World’s Fair.
Spring Mountain Vineyard
Founded by Mike Robbins in
1964, however the vineyards were Spring Mountain Vineyard (Spring Mountain) springmountainvineyard.com
planted in the 1800s. The
Chardonnay was selected to be a Spring Mountain Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2017 (6pk) $209.90
participate in the Judgement of
Paris tasting and placed 4th. The Spring Mountain Vineyard Red Blend Elivette 2015 (6pk) $731.90
winery is comprised of four
separate vineyards that vary from Spring Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 2000 (6pk) $731.90
400-1450ft in elevation. With Spring Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 2005 (6pk) $635.90
primarily eastern exposures and
a multitude of soils types the 226 Spring Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 2010 (6pk) $539.90
acres are divided into 135 Spring Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 2014 (6pk) $395.90
separate blocks that are
sustainably farmed. Yields are a Spring Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 2015 (6pk) $407.90 95 WS
paltry 1-1.5 tons per acre. Total
production is 7,500-10,000 cases
between all varietals.
ST. HELENA
Historically St. Helena is the beginning of Napa Valley’s wine story. Charles Krug, a German
immigrant, founded Napa Valley’s first commercial winery in St. Helena in 1861. Located at the
Duckhorn base of Spring Mountain, St. Helena’s 2900 acres of vineyards became their own AVA in 1995.
Founded in 1976 by Dan &
Margaret Duckhorn. Dan fell in The morning fog layer rarely reaches this far north and St. Helena enjoys warmer days than then
love with the wines of the right AVAs to the south. The Mayacamas and Vaca mountain ranges pinch the valley down it narrowest
bank of Bordeaux. The 83 acre point at just 3 miles wide. To the south of the town of St. Helena slightly cooler temperatures along
Three Palms Vineyard may with gravelly, alluvial soils dominate. To the north of town soils are more volcanic and the
produce the most iconic examples
of the Merlot varietal in temperatures are warmer. Elevations vary from just 100ft-700ft in elevation.
California. Today Duckhorn
produces around 100k cases of
wine annually. Sauvignon Blanc
followed by Merlot account for
70% of that. The Three Palms Duckhorn (St. Helena) duckhorn.com
Merlot accounts for just 3,000 Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc Napa 2018
cases annually, and was awarded $258.00
Wine of the Year by Wine Duckhorn Chardonnay Napa 2017 $308.60
Enthusiast in 2018
Duckhorn Merlot Napa 2017 $504.00 92 JS

Duckhorn Merlot Three Palms Napa 2016 (6pk) $474.00 93 WS
Hall Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2017
Kathryn Hall and her husband $648.00 93 W&S, 91 WS
Craig purchased their Duckhorn Red Blend The Discussion Napa 2015 (6pk) $648.00 95 W&S, 94 JS
Rutherford property in 1995 and (please inquire about .375ml and 1.5L availability)
their St. Helena property in 2003.
Both fully restored, the properties
are dedicated to the production of
world class Bordeaux varietals. Hall (St. Helena) hallwines.com
The Halls now own 10 estate (also see Rutherford)
vineyards spanning 3 mountain
AVAs as well as the Oak Knoll, St Hall Sauvignon Blanc Napa 2018 $287.90
Helena and Pope Valley AVAs
With 150 acres farmed in Hall Merlot Napa 2016 $383.90
accordance with organic
practices. Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2016 $635.90 92 WA, 92 VN
(please inquire about 1.5L availability)
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