Star Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Ages ago the mountain sides of Mount St. John, in the Mayacamas (above the historic Inglenook Winery) came crashing and tumbling down into the young Napa Valley, creating an auspicious formation, a long and wide mound of gravelly soils, known as an “alluvial fan.” This alluvial formation would dominate the widest part of this fertile valley, a point just to the warmer side of the valley’s climate seesaw between the cooler maritime influence of the San Pablo Bay and the hot, dry influence of the California inland valleys, an area known as the Rutherford Bench. This serendipitous combination of soil and climate eventually culminated in the wines which would define and influence the Rutherford style, wines first crafted by Niebaum’s Inglenook Winery and George de la Tour’s Beaulieu Winery. In 1991, Reg Oliver formed a partnership which included David Abreu and Ric Forman, and planted a vineyard on this benchland. They planted heirloom vines, using cuttings from what is called a “field selection” or “selection massale” meaning essentially that they procured prunings from selected vines in a neighbor’s vineyard. This way of planting was much more common in times past than today. In a way, it is the greatest form of flattery as well as a way to preserve unique flavor profiles by proliferating the genetic makeup of celebrated vineyards. Now owned and farmed by a lifelong friend in Jack Oliver, the Star Vineyard is a rare standout and we are very fortunate to have this wine to fill in while we made the turn on the 2020 vintage losses due to fires.
Composition
100% Cabernet SauvignonVineyard
Star VineyardAlc. %
14.9%| Cases Produced | 330 |
|---|---|
| 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!
Headed to the vineyards?
Tour wine country like a pro
Download the Wine Routes app to bring your routes, wineries, and interactive tastings wherever your journey takes you!