2016 Buena Vista Aristocrat

Buena Vista Winery calls itself California’s oldest premium winery, and it’s hard to argue the point given it was founded about the same time California became a state. Agoston Haraszthy de Mokeska was a Hungarian immigrant from a wealthy, land-owing family, and in 1840 he landed in California with the dream of creating his own agricultural empire, including a winery. A man of great energy and vision, he was elected to California state legislature and explored the state – at one point he was the sheriff of San Diego – before buying the 800-acre Sonoma ranch known as Buena Vista. He built a stone winery, planted vineyards and organized the first society for the study and improvement of California viticulture. For the next 100 years the estate had periods of success but also periods when it fell into disrepair and did not make wines. By the mid-20th century the estate had been purchased by a large German corporation, which made some improvements and some excellent Cabernet Sauvignons. In 2011 Buena Vista was purchased by Boisset Family Estates, which owns a collection of historic estates in Burgundy and California. Buena Vista still owns nearly 900 acres planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Syrah Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel.

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.