1975 Landmark Cabernet Sauvignon

Landmark Vineyards was founded in 1974 in Windsor by Bill Mabry and his family. In 1989 one of its investors, Damaris Deere Ethridge, took control of the estate and relocated it to Sonoma Valley. Deere Ethridge managed the estate and hired consulting winemaker Helen Turley and winemaker Eric Stern to improve the wines. The estate soon became noted for its Chardonnays. In 2011 the estate was sold to Roll Global, parent company of Fiji Water. Landmark has an 11-acre vineyard but sources most of its grapes from highly-regarded vineyards in Sonoma, Carneros, the Russian River Valley and Santa Barbara County. Landmark makes Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Grenache and Syrah.

Sonoma County is not an AVA, but it is a commonly used informal designation for wines made outside of more specific AVAs within Sonoma, which is a large wine producing region just west of Napa Valley. Though Sonoma is often overshadowed by its glamorous neighbor Napa Valley, it has a long history of wine production. The area specialized in jug wine until the mid-20th century, when Sonoma producers took a cue from Napa and started improving quality. Unlike Napa, where Cabernet Sauvignon is king, Sonoma specialized in Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel, though excellent Cabs are produced too. There are at present 16 AVAs within Sonoma County, and, like much of the West Coast of the United States, new AVAs are created in Sonoma County with regularity. Some Sonoma appellations, such as the Russian River Valley, are renowned for 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.