2017 Abreu Tilting Rock

David Abreu was born and raised in Napa Valley, where his family has been involved in farming for three generations. As a teenager he worked summers at Inglenook and Caymus vineyards and soon became one of the valley’s most respected viticulturalists. In 1980 he planted his own Madrona Ranch vineyard located west of St. Helena. He produced his first wine in 1986 with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from the Madrona Ranch vineyard. His first commercial release from Abreu Vineyard, as he has called his winery, was the 1987 Abreu Madrona Ranch. Today Abreu owns about 60 acres of vineyards though wines currently come from only two, Madrona Ranch and Thorevilos. He grows Merlot and Petit Verdot along with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Known as a perfectionist when it comes to growing grapes and maintaining vineyards, Abreu’s wines are also among the most acclaimed coming out of California. He produces fewer than 10,000 bottles a year.

St. Helena AVA is at the northern end of Napa Valley just north of Rutherford and south of Calistoga. It is a relatively warm climate thanks to the Mayacamas Mountains on its western edge, which protect it from Pacific Ocean fog. Out of the 9,000 acres in the appellation, some 1,500 are under vine. The principal grapes grown in St. Helena are the Bordeaux grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. St. Helena is considered prime wine producing territory, and it was one of the first important wine producing regions in northern California. The legendary Charles Krug founded his winery just north of the town of St. Helena in 1873, and today the appellation is home to many prestigious producers, including Abreu, Grace Family and Spottswoode.