2013 Long Meadow Ranch Reserve Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

Long Meadow Ranch is a large working estate with properties in Napa Valley, Anderson Valley and West Marin. Owned and operated by the Hall family since 1989, 650 acres of the estate is in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains. That property was once a historic working ranch given to a US Civil War veteran by Ulysses S. Grant. After falling into disrepair in the late 20th century, Ted and Laddie Hall bought the property and raised their sons on the ranch, turning it into a working, multi-faceted farm/ranch/wine estate. Long Meadow Ranch has more than 150 acres of vineyards in Napa and Anderson Valleys. The estate also includes olive groves, fruit and vegetable orchards and livestock operations where, among other animals, Highland cattle are raised. The estate is completely organic and practices sustainable farming. Long Meadow Ranch produces several terroir-specific wine labels,

Rutherford AVA is just north of the Oakville AVA in the heart of Napa Valley, and it is equally distinguished. It is home to Beaulieu Vineyard and inglenook, arguably Napa Valley’s most historically influential wineries. Inglenook started making in wine in the late 19th century, and Beaulieu Vineyards was producing by the first years of the 20th century. BV founder Georges de Latour is particularly esteemed for having recruited Andre Tchelistcheff, a renowned research oenologist, to move from France to Napa Valley in 1938 and run BV’s winemaking. The legendary Tchelistcheff brought European winemaking techniques to Napa Valley and vastly improved wine quality. Other Rutherford winemakers followed his lead. Today there are 5,000 vineyard acres in Rutherford and many acclaimed producers. The famous Silverado Trail with its exclusive, limited production wineries, runs partly through Rutherford AVA. Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignons are characterized by supple tannins, richness, notes of cherry and plum, depth and the ability to age for several decades. Besides Cabernet Sauvignon the AVA also grows Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel. It received its AVA designation in 1994.

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.