2007 Piña Cellars Firehouse Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Piña Cellars’ first commercial release was a 1979 Chardonnay. But the Piña family has roots in northern California that go back to the mid-19th century. With many generations of experience in winemaking and vineyard management behind him, John Piña started a vineyard management company in 1960s. His sons Davie, Ranndy, and Larry, still run the firm. A fourth brother, John, was also a partner in the winemaking and vineyard management business until his death in 2017. Today their winery on the Silverado Trail makes small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and very limited amounts of Chardonnay.

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.