2020 Arkenstone Godward Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Arkenstone Vineyards on Howell Mountain has been a long-time labor of love for Ron and Susan Krausz. The couple bought 42 acres of pastureland and undeveloped hillside in 1988 without any particular plans to grow grapes. But surrounded by grape growers and winemakers, they eventually had the site analyzed for its grape growing potential by Philippe Melka, a legendary winemaker and viticulturalist. Melka was impressed, and the first vineyards were planted in 1998. The 13 acres of vineyards were planted to red and white Bordeaux grapes including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. There also is a small amount of Syrah. Arkenstone’s first commercial release was the 2006 vintage and today the winery makes premium red, white and rosé wines. Sam Kaplan is winemaker and general manager. Arkenstone produces about 1,800 cases a year. The winery also produces a portfolio of wines from non-estate grapes that come from nearby vineyards situated at about the same 1,400 – 1,650-foot elevation as Arkenstone. The winery calls these non-estate wines its NVD, or Native Vista Domaine wines. The name of the winery comes from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, in which the “Arkenstone” is a gem representing all that is precious.

Rutherford AVA is just north of the Oakville AVA in the heart of Napa Valley, and it is equally distinguished. It is home to Beaulieu Vineyard and inglenook, arguably Napa Valley’s most historically influential wineries. Inglenook started making in wine in the late 19th century, and Beaulieu Vineyards was producing by the first years of the 20th century. BV founder Georges de Latour is particularly esteemed for having recruited Andre Tchelistcheff, a renowned research oenologist, to move from France to Napa Valley in 1938 and run BV’s winemaking. The legendary Tchelistcheff brought European winemaking techniques to Napa Valley and vastly improved wine quality. Other Rutherford winemakers followed his lead. Today there are 5,000 vineyard acres in Rutherford and many acclaimed producers. The famous Silverado Trail with its exclusive, limited production wineries, runs partly through Rutherford AVA. Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignons are characterized by supple tannins, richness, notes of cherry and plum, depth and the ability to age for several decades. Besides Cabernet Sauvignon the AVA also grows Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel. It received its AVA designation in 1994.

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.