2007 Krupp Brothers Stagecoach Vineyard Synchrony

Krupp Brothers was founded in Napa Valley’s eastern hills in 1991 when Jan Krupp, a physician with an interest in wine, purchased 41 acres to plant vineyards. A few years later his brother Bart, a businessman, joined him in the enterprise. They purchased another 750 acres on the south side of Pritchard Hill and had them cleared and planted. Today the estate owns two important vineyards, the Stagecoach and Krupp Brothers Vineyards. Jay Buoncristiani is winemaker. The estate makes red and white wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay and blends. The wines have earned ratings in the mid-90s from reviewers.

Atlas Peak AVA is perched above the Stags Leap AVA to the northeast of the city of Napa. Elevation ranges from 760 to 2,600 feet, and temperatures are up to 15 degrees cooler in the Atlas Peak vineyards compared with vineyards in the valley. There are 1,500 vineyard acres planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The appellation was named for Atlas Peak, which, at 2,633 feet above sea level, is the highest peak in the area.