2014 Bremer Family Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Bremer Family Winery is a historic Deer Park Road estate owned since 2002 by John and Laura Bremer. Some of the buildings on the estate date from the late 19th century, and the property was the original home of California wine pioneers John and Jacob Sutter. The Sutters built their first winery on the estate before moving in 1909 to their Highway 29 property. With careers spent in the wholesale nursery and earth moving businesses in Southern California, the Bremers also have long ties to Napa Valley as partners in Fume Restaurant near Napa. Bob Bolan is winemaker at Bremer and the estate owns 110 acres. Bremer produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and blends.

Howell Mountain AVA in Northeastern Napa Valley was the first of Napa Valley’s sub-appellations, earning its own designation in 1984, just a year after Napa Valley became an appellation. As the name suggests, the AVA is in one of the highest elevations in the area. Every vineyard in the appellation is at least 1,400 feet above sea level. Some vineyards are as high as 2,200 feet and because of their altitude most of the AVA’s vineyards receive more sun than vineyards at lower elevations, which are affected by fog from the Pacific Ocean and the San Pablo Bay. Howell Mountain was home to vineyards in the late 19th century, but winemaker Randy Dunn is considered the area’s most influential modern pioneer. Dunn moved to Howell Mountain in 1979, acquired property and began making exceptionally rich Cabernet Sauvignon. The AVA also grows Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. There are 600 vineyard acres within Howell Mountain AVA.

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.