2017 Stony Hill Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon

Stony Hill Vineyard was founded in 1943 when Fred and Eleanor McCrea bought a goat ranch on Spring Mountain in Napa Valley, California. In in 1947 they planted Chardonnay vineyards and in 1952 they had their debut release. Today the winery is run by son Peter McCrea and though the estate still is best known for Chardonnay, it also produces Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Semillon and red table wine.

Spring Mountain AVA is above the town of St. Helena on the eastern slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains. There is no actual Spring Mountain, but the name has traditionally been used for the area, which includes many streams and springs. Spring Mountain was awarded appellation status in 1993 and it includes about 1,000 vineyard acres. Vineyard elevations are high, from 400 to 2,600 feet above sea level. Because of the altitude of most vineyards, which are above the fog line, mornings become warm earlier than vineyards on the valley floor, though the afternoons are cooled by maritime winds. The result is an exceptionally long growing season. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most frequently planted grape by acreage, followed by Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay.

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.