2011 Beta Montecillo Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Beta Wines is a Diamond Mountain start-up founded by Ketan Mody, who is always near the top of lists of young winemakers to watch. Mody honed his craft at Harlan Estate and in 2008 purchased 60 acres on Diamond Mountain. He named his property Jasud Estate and cleared the land himself with the help of a couple of friends. He then planted 14 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon. For now he is making Cabernet Sauvignon for his Beta label from grapes sourced from legendary regional vineyards. Antonio Galloni of Vinous has been impressed with the first vintages. In 2015 Galloni wrote that Mody makes “deeply spiritual wines imbued with real personality. The first wines I have tasted point to a brilliant, emerging talent.”

Moon Mountain AVA earned its official status as an American Viticultural Area in 2013. The Moon Mountain district is a sub-appellation of Sonoma Valley, and has long been considered a prestigious address for vineyards. At the relatively high level of 400 to 2.700 feet above sea level, the 17,633-acre AVA is on the western slope of the Mayacamas Mountains. About 2,000 acres within the AVA are planted to vineyards. The climate benefits from constant breezes from the bay as well as sunshine, since the area is above the fog line. Grapes grown in the AVA are primarily Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, with some Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir 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.