2007 Sbragia Family Vineyards Montagia Cabernet Sauvignon

Sbragia Family Vineyards is in Geyserville. It was founded in 2001 by Ed Sbragia, a long-time Napa Valley winemaker who made wine for several decades at Beringer. Sbragia, the grandson of immigrants from Tuscany, grew up in Dry Creek Valley where is father grew Zinfandel grapes. Sbragia runs the estate with his wife and children and owns vineyards or sources grapes in Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, Sonoma Valley and Napa Valley. Sbragia makes Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

Howell Mountain AVA in Northeastern Napa Valley was the first of Napa Valley’s sub-appellations, earning its own designation in 1984, just a year after Napa Valley became an appellation. As the name suggests, the AVA is in one of the highest elevations in the area. Every vineyard in the appellation is at least 1,400 feet above sea level. Some vineyards are as high as 2,200 feet and because of their altitude most of the AVA’s vineyards receive more sun than vineyards at lower elevations, which are affected by fog from the Pacific Ocean and the San Pablo Bay. Howell Mountain was home to vineyards in the late 19th century, but winemaker Randy Dunn is considered the area’s most influential modern pioneer. Dunn moved to Howell Mountain in 1979, acquired property and began making exceptionally rich Cabernet Sauvignon. The AVA also grows Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. There are 600 vineyard acres within Howell Mountain AVA.

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.

In the fall of 2009, Joe Montana and his wife Jennifer met with Ed Sbragia and his son Adam, the winemaker for Sbragia Family Vineyards and they created a new blend for the 2007 vintage under Montagia label made at Ed’s own winery Sbragia Family Vineyards. [1997 was the first vintage] The style of wine is big, intense and brawny, like Ed and Joe wanted, but it also has an elegance that is the result of Jennifer's influence (she insisted they increase the Cabernet Franc component).