2016 Trespass Vineyard Intrigue

Trespass Vineyard is in St. Helena. It is owned by Dana and Don Gallagher, who make their wine with help from Kirk Venge, one of the region’s most admired winemakers. The 5-acre estate is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Trespass makes red wines, including blends and Zinfandel. Debut vintages were the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

St. Helena AVA is at the northern end of Napa Valley just north of Rutherford and south of Calistoga. It is a relatively warm climate thanks to the Mayacamas Mountains on its western edge, which protect it from Pacific Ocean fog. Out of the 9,000 acres in the appellation, some 1,500 are under vine. The principal grapes grown in St. Helena are the Bordeaux grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. St. Helena is considered prime wine producing territory, and it was one of the first important wine producing regions in northern California. The legendary Charles Krug founded his winery just north of the town of St. Helena in 1873, and today the appellation is home to many prestigious producers, including Abreu, Grace Family and Spottswoode.