Grace Family Cornelius Grove Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena 2019

Honoring tradition at a winery is a nimble process of balancing respect for heritage without ignoring the innovations required to stay relevant and move forward.  Maintaining this kind of harmony is challenging when passing the torch from one generation to the next, let alone from one family to another.  Sadly, for our industry, we watch beloved wineries change ownership and lose the essence of their brand, which we had connected to from the beginning.  Yet in 2019, Dick & Ann Grace sold their family winery, Grace Family, to Kate & Jeremy Green and, in doing so, orchestrated one of the valley's most seamless transitions of ownership.  Dick believes that one must have "a reverence for the hallowed land" and be committed to crafting wines with a distinct sense of place and prestige.  The Greens instilled a certainty in Dick that they not only shared his values and would continue the Grace Family traditions but that their thoughtful stewardship would carry this cherished winery and vineyard into the future.

The two families came to know one another when Dick and Ann purchased some grapes from the Cornelius Grove property back in 2017. This possible new single vineyard for Grace Family is the spark that led to the historic transfer of their iconic estate. Some five years later Grace Family has debuted the first vintage from that vineyard.  For nearly a decade, the team has quietly and assuredly re-developed the property, rehabilitating some of the 70+ year old vines and majestic olive trees and selectively replanting vines with an eye to longevity.  The majestic olive trees dating back to the 1900s are an aesthetic trademark at all Grace Family properties and promote biodiversity, a tenet for the entire Grace Family team as they care for their vineyards.  Encouraging a holistically healthy environment for all flora and fauna living on the property is a commitment to the quality of the grapes grown and the sustainability of the land for years to come.  The Cornelius Grove name pays homage to the previous owner and his family, who lovingly hand farmed this property, a tricky feat with the undulating hillsides of each block and diverse soil types that require specific and distinct care.  The cobblestone-riddled soil forces the Cabernet Sauvignon vines to dig deep to find water and nutrients, resulting in lower-yielding vines that produce concentrated and complexly flavored berries.

Among the many dedicated team members at Grace Family is the venerable winemaker Helen Keplinger.  Helen has worked alongside the Graces and Greens for the last decade to create pure expressions of the Estate, Blank, and now Cornelius Grove single-vineyard Cabernets.  The debut 2019 Cornelius Grove is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon harvested over three weeks starting in early October.  After fermentation and aging, the wine spent an additional 24 months bottle-aging before release, allowing you the privilege of a touch of age without the tedious waiting.   High-toned aromas of Bing cherry permeate the nose with touches of black licorice, wet stone, and raspberry liqueur.   Alluring acidity balances with soft, silky tannins that fill the palate and highlight the flavors of black currant, tobacco, and toasted sage.  Only 260 cases of this inaugural 2019 were produced.