2016 Baldacci Family Vineyards Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon

Baldacci Family Vineyards was founded in the 1990s by Thomas and Brenda Baldacci. Thomas was president of a Bay Area family real estate development company. A love of fine wine and the Napa Valley prompted the couple to buy land in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley and today they own 45 acres of vineyards in Stags Leap, Carneros and Calistoga. Michael Baldacci, one of the Baldacci’s four sons, is company president. Winemaker is Rolando Herrera, whose first winery job was at at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. Baldacci makes Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer and a red blend.

Calistoga AVA is one of Napa Valley’s newer appellations, having been given appellation status in 2010. It is notable for its volcanic soil, which is unusual in the Napa Valley. Calistoga also experiences the greatest average 24-hour temperature swing of any Napa Valley AVAs, which Calistoga grape growers insist give the grapes time to “cool down” at night, making for better balanced wines. The 1,500 Calistoga vineyard acres are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah and Petite Sirah, along with smaller amounts of other varietals. Calistoga is at the northern end of Napa Valley, northwest of the Diamond District and St. Helena AVAs. Longtime winemaker Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena, which is located in the Calistoga AVA, proposed the creation of the appellation.

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.