Neotempo Kiatra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2021

Kia Behnia and Tracy Borman are on a mission to produce world-class Napa Valley Cabernet without sacrificing the health of their vineyard and the environment at large.  Sustainability is rarely high on the list of priorities when crafting a cult-worthy wine.  However, Kia and Tracy’s embrace of new technologies is pushing the boundaries and challenging the status quo that quality and environmental care are mutually exclusive.  After a decade of thoughtful development, collaborative planning, and innovative design (not to mention a less-than-ideal amount of sleep), they are debuting their brand, Neotempo, and proving that you can have it all in these regards.  

When it comes to the details, they have thought of everything.  From the bottle's design to playlists for listening while imbibing, to an open-source website for sharing results of vineyard research, to professional photography of the molecular imaging from each vintage, no stone was left unturned.  Their holistic approach extends far into the supply chain but started with establishing their organically farmed vineyard.  Knowing collaboration is critical, they recruited California’s father of organic grape growing, Phil Coturri, to assess their land, plant the best clones for the health of the soil, and manage the vineyard.  After planting the vineyard, Neotempo became one of the first partners and test sites for the autonomous, electric Monarch tractor.  These efforts began in 2011 and demonstrated their patience and respect for the process.  Kia and Tracy are playing the long game.

They began selling grapes from the Kiatra Estate to Shafer and Darioush in 2012 while designing what we can only describe as the most uniquely shaped wine bottle we’ve ever seen.  Packaging and distribution are two of the most significant contributing factors to the increased carbon footprint of wine.  The materials used, processing of the bottles, and shipping to the final destination were key areas Kia and Tracy recognized for the potential to reduce emissions.  While the Cabernet Sauvignon vines dug deeper roots over the years, Kia created a hexagonal-shaped wine bottle from 100% recycled glass. Why a hexagon, you might ask?  When laid on their side or standing side by side, the space between bottles is eliminated, and the number of bottles able to ship in standard containers increases.  After multiple trials, testing, and building relationships with various partners, Kia applied for the patent for this one-of-a-kind bottle.

We can personally attest to the emphasis Kia and Tracy put on selecting a winemaker for their beloved, burgeoning brand.  Over several visits, they would procure bottles from ACME made by one winemaker across multiple brands to drink, savor, and “research.”  Collecting data like actual scientists, the first criterion to meet was a winemaker who consistently pleased their palates no matter the varietal, style, and region in front of them.  It’s no surprise winemaker Tony Biagi quickly shot to the top of their shortlist.  Once they met with Tony, Kia and Tracy knew he could embrace the unusual undertaking ahead and keep the quality and environmental impact front of mind.

For the inaugural 2021 vintage of Neotempo, Tony selected two clones from three blocks within the vineyard and harvested the fruit in late September.  The 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 80% French oak barrels over 18 months, imparting a layered complexity to this beautifully balanced wine.  In tasting barrel samples last year, Antonio Galloni named Neotempo the Most Exciting Debut and noted, “It is bright, elegant, and super-refined, as wines from this cool, southern part of the valley tend to be.  Silky and impeccably balanced, the 2021 is also incredibly promising.”  Neotempo produced only 406 cases of their debut Cabernet, which we expect will soon be sold out.