Winemaker Notes
The Montecillo Vineyard is one of the oldest plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon in Sonoma County, and is still thriving under the watchful eye of Chuy Ordaz, who has tended these vines since he planted them, own rooted, in 1969. The vineyard is situated at 1700’ on the ridgeline that divides Napa Valley from the Valley of the Moon in Sonoma County. This old, healthy, dry-farmed site is one of the most spectacular Cabernet plantings that we have seen anywhere in the world. It is a true joy to behold such robust unirrigated vines of this age in California. This vineyard speaks to a bygone era of viticultural practices that have stood the test of time. The soils in Montecillo are extremely rocky and austere, limiting yields and increasing concentration in the tiny berries. The deep roots and mountain-grown nature of this Cabernet fruit lends itself to crafting a wine of place that has the backbone to age gracefully for decades in the cellar. Arnot-Roberts finds themselves fortunate to share in the ongoing stewardship of this vineyard and are honored with the task of continuing its legacy.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Perhaps the most historically significant appellation in Sonoma County, the Sonoma Valley is home to both Buena Vista winery, California's oldest commercial winery, and Gundlach Bundschu winery, California's oldest family-run winery.
It is also one of the more geologically and climactically diverse districts. The valley includes and overlaps four distinct Sonoma County sub-appellations, including Carneros, Moon Mountain District, Sonoma Mountain and Bennett Valley. With mountains, benchlands, plains, abundant sunshine and the cooling effects of the nearby Pacific, this appellation can successfully produce a wide range of grape varieties. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewürztraminer, and most notably, Zinfandel all thrive here. Ancient Zinfandel vines over 100 years old produce small crops of concentrated, spicy fruit, which in turn make some of the Valley's most unique wines. These can also be made as “field blends” (wines made from a mix of grape varieties grown in the same vineyard) along with Petite Sirah, Carignan and Alicante Bouschet.