2010 Haber Family Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.5ltr

Haber Family Vineyards was established in 2005 by Ron and Sue-Marie Haber. The couple runs their family-owned glass and glazing business in New York, but over the years they frequently visited Napa Valley. They dreamed of starting their own winery and were eventually able to purchase 5.5 acres on Howell Mountain. While developing vineyards on their Howell Mountain property, they have sourced grapes from Diamond Mountain. Their debut release was the 2006 Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon. As experts in glassmaking, the Habers designed their own bottle and use a screen printed label rather than a paper one. Wines produced so far are Cabs from Diamond Mountain and Howell Mountain, and a Sonoma Coast Chardonnay. Tim Milos is winemaker.

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.