Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All Vintages
For many years you have seen Dwyane Wade play the game he loves at the highest levels of achievement. Now, Dwyane is able to share with you something personal and profound, his inaugural release from Wade Cellars.
Throughout his playing career and his life off the court, Wade has blazed his own path. In becoming one of the most celebrated athletes in the world, Wade has been exposed to the ultimate in living well, as well as some of the world’s greatest personalities. Dwyane’s love of the great wines of Napa Valley was fueled by the food and wine he enjoyed with his teammates Chris Bosh and Lebron James. Their friendship and mutual love of great wine sparked a passion in Dwyane. Two years ago, he decided to follow his heart and make a great wine of his own.
With the wine dream unshakably in his mind, he looked to his dear friend Jayson Pahlmeyer for guidance. For over 30 years Jayson Pahlmeyer has consistently produced iconic Napa Valley wines of power, finesse, and distinction. Jayson has been a leader in the world of fine wine and shares Wade’s bold and irrepressible spirit. Jayson invited Dwyane to witness harvest in the Napa Valley in 2014. Harvest is a very magical time in the Valley and sparked Dwayne's dream of Wade Cellars. The combination of that 2014 harvest trip with Jayson’s wine business knowledge and Dwyane’s enthusiasm and joie de vivre Wade Cellars was born.
One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.