There’s an unmistakable quality to the Cabernet one can grow on this mountain. Situated at nearly 1,850 feet above Napa Valley floor, the location, soil profiles and elevation of our Cold Springs Vineyard are enough to make even the most stoic wine geek swoon. The topography naturally holds much variation, there is no one single vantage point that provides a true sense of the entire vineyard, but yet offers hints of what is to be discovered on each inch of this cherished soil.

The Cold Springs Vineyard is a world of its own. A vineyard surrounded by dense forest and rich soil, where the fog rolls in waves as it creeps over the Mayacamas Mountain Range and settles on the Napa Valley floor. One can stand in silence, perfectly isolated from the chaos of our fast-moving world and watch as  nature itself comes to life, creating a world truly like no other.

Above the fog line, the south-westerly slopes of our favored blocks see cool morning sun, while warmed by the afternoon  heat. Outcroppings of white tufa and rhyolitic rocks are interspersed with knolls of red and brown loam and iron-rich volcanic ash, which contributes to the complexity of our wines while adding  a mineral characteristic to our fruit.

In developing the vineyard, all native rock has been preserved while added raptor and bluebird boxes maintain the biodiversity and sustainability of this land’s wild side. As Peter Sr. says, “Take care of the land and it will take care of you.”

AVA: Howell Mountain, Napa Valley

Acreage: 60 acres

Elevation:  1650-1850 feet  

Acquired property: 2005 

Planted to: Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 337, 191, SEE, and Petit Verdot, planted to South Western facing for optimal ripeness.

The Howell Mountain Boundaries are defined by a 1,400 foot elevation contour line at its lowest point, and the highest vineyard at 2,500 feet above sea level.   The vines share the mountain with pines, oaks, madrone and coastal redwoods.

Soil:  Howell Mountain itself has two distinct soils: crumbly white decomposed volcanic ash known as rhyolitic tuff and red, iron-laden soils of slay and volcanic rock.   Vines develop good root systems in these well draining, porous, nutrient-lean soils.   This allows the vines to self-regulate the amount of water, thus the vines struggle to survive, resulting in very tiny berries with high flavor concentration and tannin structure for days.