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In 1989, when Bob and
Mary Miner purchased the 350-acre ranch, 55 acres of vineyards were
planted to Chardonnay and Bordeaux varietals – Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Located on a sloping plateau that rises
to 1,400 feet above the Silverado Trail on the East side of the Napa
Valley, Oakville Ranch was one of the appellation’s pioneering
vineyards. Since then, several other highly regarded and prestigious
wineries have become neighbors, drawn to this hillside for its
powerful, signature-red volcanic soils. Through the years, the
vineyards have been meticulously tended. Additional small vineyard
enclaves have been developed as certain sites have revealed their
promise. The shallow and miserly rocky soils slowly release their
Spartan nutrients, naturally limiting the grape crop to an intense
few bunches per vine. With each vintage, the wines of Oakville Ranch
speak clearly of their origin – a richly layered expression of its
location, soil, structure, and heritage. |
