Winemaker Notes
Blend: 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot
Critical Acclaim
All Vintages
Named a “rising star” by Food & Wine, and a Forbes’ ‘30 Under 30’ to watch, Napa native Josh Phelps has winemaking in his blood. Josh built up an immense knowledge of the wine business through harvest work and crafting wines alongside his father—former Dominus Estate and Caymus winemaker Chris Phelps. It was Josh’s own desire to create a grassroots, all-American label that reflected his experience growing up among California vines that led to the creation of Grounded Wine Co. With Grounded, Phelps maintains a focus on what’s important in winemaking—showcasing wines crafted from premium grapes farmed by trusted, sustainable vineyards in California and Washington. Grounded showcases Phelps’ expression of what it means to be a winemaker in the modern world.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.