2012 Behrens Family Winery Moulds Family 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.

Oak Knoll AVA is one of Napa Valley’s newest appellations, having received that status in 2004. Located on the southern end of Napa Valley, the appellation is close to San Pablo Bay and therefore relatively cool. Of the 8,300 acres within the appellation, 4,150 are vineyards. The principal grapes grown are Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Riesling. Locals like to call Oak Knoll “the sweet spot” thanks to its location between the San Pablo Bay and its maritime climate and the much hotter climate of Napa Valley’s floor.

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.