he-li-an-thus is a single vineyard wine project from Jessica Futo, daughter of the couple who founded the Futo wine estate in Oakville, and Jason Exposto, Futo winemaker. The name of the wine comes from the helianthus genus of plants, which are sunflowers. Grapes for the wine are sourced from a vineyard in the southern Napa Valley foothills. The vineyard is on rocky volcanic soil at an elevation of about 300 feet, which, combined with its southwestern orientation, results in large diurnal swings in temperature. The wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Just 508 cases of the inaugural 2013 vintage were produced. The wine is generally available by mailing list only. Reviewers have been complimentary about the first vintages. Robert M. Parker Jr. called the 2013 “a beauty.” Vinous noted that he-li-an-thus wines “are lush and racy, very much in the Futo style.”