2012 Behrens Family Winery Hamilton Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Behrens Family Winery is an artisanal winery in St. Helena owned and operated by Les Behrens and Lisa Drinkward, a couple who have been the founders of several small wine in Napa Valley. The couple work with grape growers who farm low-yielding, high-quality vineyards and they produce small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux blends and Petite Sirah. Behrens and Drinkward have spent more than 20 years in the food and wine business. They opened an award-winning restaurant in Arcata in 1991, and began making wine with purchased grapes in 1993. With partners Bob and Lilly Hitchcock they later established Behrens & Hitchcock winery. When the Hitchcocks retired in 2005, Behrens and Drinkward bought them out, and now continue to make wine under the Behrens Family Winery and Behrens & Hitchcock labels.

Oakville AVA is one of the two or three most prestigious appellations in the United States. Located in the heart of Napa Valley, its 5,000 vineyard acres produce some of the world’s most acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon, including such California “cult” Cabs as Screaming Eagle and Harlan Estate. Before those boutique producers rose to fame in the 1990s, Oakville was already renowned as home to Robert Mondavi, Opus One and Groth Vineyards, among others. Along with the famous wineries, there are premier vineyards in this AVA, including Martha’s Vineyard and To Kalon Vineyard. To Kalon was first planted in 1868 by H.W. Crabb, one of California’s first viticultural researchers, and he named the vineyard after the ancient Greek phrase for “most beautiful.” Though many grapes can be successfully grown in Oakville, Cabernet Sauvignon is king. Merlot and Chardonnay are also frequently planted. Oakville Cabs are prized for their richness, complexity and weight. Oakville was designated as an AVA in 1993.

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.