The Vineyardist Cabernet Franc Diamond Mountain District 2023

Some wines can be delicious even if a celebrated winemaker doesn't expertly make them, or they don't come from a famous vineyard, or the vines weren't planted in a quintessential location by a proficient vineyard manager. So then, what might a wine be if every one of these components were part of its make-up? Let's find out.

In 2000, following a decade-long search, the husband-and-wife team, Dirk Fulton and Becky Kukkola, discovered the perfect location in the celebrated Diamond Mountain District on which to establish their new vineyard. With more than 100 acres to serve as the foundation of their efforts, their clear vision has come to life: to create a world-class wine estate and to serve as stewards of this historic site. More than a century earlier, pioneer vineyardist Lorenz Petersen cleared the land and planted a vineyard. As he became a skilled farmer and winemaker, Petersen's production brought international wine brokers to Calistoga each spring to buy wine by the cask. Back then, the individual who farmed the vineyard, crafted the wine, and then marketed it was known as a vineyardist. Dirk and Becky adopted that title for their estate to pay homage to the fearless and talented man who had stewarded the land before them.

The very talented, Tony Biagi, having previously been lauded as an SF Chronicle "Winemaker of the Year", harvested grapes planted by Jim Barbour (Hundred Acre, Grace Family, Blankiet, Revana, Kelly Fleming, Dark Matter, Amuse Bouche, Seven Stones, Checkerboard) along with Phil Coturri (legendary pioneer of organic and biodynamic farming - guru to the stars), from a mountain top, steeply planted property, bestowed with well-drained, volcanic soils, high above the Napa Valley on Diamond Mountain. Twenty-four acres of the 120-acre Vineyardist estate are planted to vine with 20 blocks ranging in elevation and clonal varieties. The grapes grow alongside citrus and olive groves, along with herb gardens, lending interesting tones and nuance to the harvested fruit. Each block is fermented and aged separately at the winery's state-of-the-art facility to preserve the intricacies of each plot.

"The 2023 Cabernet Franc Calarcadia Vineyard is brisk and finely cut. Crushed rocks, mint, rose petal and blood orange are all finely cut in the glass. Bright acids and beams of tannin lend energy. This mid-weight, sculpted Franc is a total delight. It’s a wine of reserve more than opulence. Franc character is so strong on the finish.”~Antonio Galloni