Sugarloaf Vineyard Merlot 2019
The Sugarloaf Vineyard was developed by vineyard visionary Bill Hill in in the late 1990s. At the time, no one believed that a Napa Valley vineyard as far south as this one—it’s on the same latitude as Carneros—could fully ripen Bordeaux varieties. With time, however, Hill was proven right! IN THE VINEYARD The key to Sugarloaf’s success is its basalt rock underpinning. The vineyard development team had to use a rock crusher to break up the ground enough for vines to take root, because topsoil is so sparse. The exposed spine of volcanic rock acts as a solar panel during the day, storing up the heat and radiating it well past sunset. The area faces southwest towards San Pablo Bay and the climate is moderately warm with afternoon marine winds cooling the warmer air from the surrounding hillsides. The rocky soil promotes low to moderate vigor creating balanced hillside fruit with velvet-like tannins. The vineyard produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Our rows of Merlot are on a steep slope facing southwest, which maximizes their exposure to the afternoon sun. Wines from this challenging site are dark and richly textured, gaining sleek polish with time. IN THE CELLAR Aged 19 months in 75% new, three-year air-dried French oak, and aged for one year in bottle prior to release, this wine opens with aromas of ripe crème de cassis, blueberries, baking spices, mocha, violets, and black olive. You have our attention! The palate is full-bodied with nicely polished tannins and incredible depth. Plush, layered and remarkably concentrated, this wine is built to impress as it retains a wonderful sense of freshness through the long supple finish, making it nearly impossible to resist. While this is simply delightful now, it should evolve beautifully for at least a decade.
Composition
100% MerlotVineyard
Sugarloaf VineyardAlc. %
14.8%| Cases Produced | 400 |
|---|---|
| Closure | Natural |
| Bottle Size | Standard |
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Venge Vineyards
The Venge family has farmed vitis vinifera varieties in Napa Valley for nearly half a century. It is a journey that began when Knud Venge emigrated from Denmark to the United States in the early 1900’s. Knud’s son, Per Venge, found his passion in the wine and spirits industry and started Vencom Imports, focusing on the importation of Western European fine wines and spirits. It was Per’s son, Nils Venge, who left the family business in the 1960’s with a vision to study viticulture at UC Davis and establish the family name as an icon in the winegrowing community.
The family’s viticultural roots flourished in 1976 with the purchase of a 17-acre vineyard in the Oakville District that was planted to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. This fortunate development cast the family among the winemaking pioneers of Napa Valley.
Nils’ and Dianna Venge’s son, Kirk Venge, gravitated to winemaking at an early age. He proved to be as talented a winemaker as his father, making wines in his own style, with a vision to build on the family legacy. In 2008, Kirk achieved his lifelong dream and acquired full ownership of Venge Vineyards. Today, Kirk continues the Napa Valley heritage, focusing on select vineyard sites that produce fruit worthy of bearing the Venge family name.
In the Vineyards
Our farming experience spans nearly a half-century in the Napa Valley. We seek vineyard locations that possess the requirements for producing fruit that will bear the Venge family name: a temperate climate of warm days and cool nights, porous alluvial and hillside soils with balanced nutrient deposits, and ample degree days to promote prolonged hang time for optimal maturation.
Winemaking Philosophy
Our experience spans four decades in winemaking. Both traditional and progressive wine production techniques are embraced, although we remain focused on our core belief: only fruit grown from select vineyards that has been handled gently and naturally produces wine worthy of bottling under the Venge family name.
Tasting Room and Visitor Experience
Nestled into the eastern foothills of the Palisades Mountain range, and surrounded by our 12-acre estate vineyard, you’ll enjoy our current Venge releases in a privately hosted tasting.
Advance Reservations Are Required.
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Download the Wine Routes app to bring your routes, wineries, and interactive tastings wherever your journey takes you!