2022 Napa Valley Essence, Sauvignon Blanc

The 2022 growing season was yet another in a string of drought years. Though our yearly rainfall was only slightly lower than average, the bulk of that rain came in October and December of 2021, while the spring of 2022 was uncharacteristically dry and gave way to a seasonably dry summer. This was followed by an intense heat wave during the first week of September, with temperatures soaring as high as 118 degrees Fahrenheit, causing a dramatic increase in our grape’s sugar levels. We were patient with our harvest, however, and allowed cooler temperatures and normal sugar levels to return before picking.

Only the best blocks that express the true nature — the essence — of our Sauvignon Blanc are used for this limited production wine. The grapes come from our chilly American Canyon vineyard (51%) and are supplemented from our Carneros vineyard (49%), where the cool climate and thin soils limit vigor, producing fewer grapes but more intense flavor. We hand-harvested the grapes at night into small bins, so they arrived at the winery cool and intact, preserving their wonderful flavors and bright acidity. We farm all our vineyards naturally, using the principles of regenerative agriculture, and they are certified organic.