Founded in 1968 by Al Brounstein, an entrepreneur and pharmaceuticals wholesaler, Diamond Creek Vineyards was one of the first vineyards in Napa Valley to take advantage of the area’s numerous microclimates and soil types. Located near Calistoga in the Diamond Creek district, Diamond Creek was the first California estate to produce only Cabernet Sauvignon. Brounstein was also an early American adopter of the European practice of bottling wines according to which vineyard had produced the grapes. By the early 1990s he was bottling by even smaller “microclimates” within the various vineyards. Diamond Creek wines are known for their concentration, austerity and deep color and they consistently earn high marks from reviewers. Though Brounstein died in 2006 the wines remain highly collectible. Today the vineyards are planted to Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. About 3,500 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon are produced annually.