Grand Duke Winery
Napa Valley Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon Since 2001
Grand Duke Winery is operated as a home occupation winery. The vineyard produces Napa Valley estate bottled wine. Our vineyards were planted in 2001 in the Atlas Peak AVA of Napa Valley, California, USA. Vintages have been from 2003-current year harvest. We thankfully survived the 2017 Napa Valley fires, losing only a few vines, which have been replanted. In 2020, we planted an additional vineyard on the property.
Fun Fact: Our winery is named after our Shorthaired Pointer & Great Dane rescue dog named Duke!
About the Grapes
Grand Duke Winery has approximately 1.5 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux clone C337, first planted in 2001. 400 more vines of Cab Sauv were added in 2018 and 2020. Also, in 2020, 500 new vines of Malbec clone C11 and 120 vines of Petit Verdot have been planted for blending.
Clone C337 is the most open and obviously fruit-driven of Bordeaux Cab clones. Clone 337, proves to be medium to deep, ruby to purple in color. It has a slightly austere, cedary impression to black fruit nose, leading into a touch of chocolate. The fruits are softer and more rounded on the palate, a touch more aromatic, showing more as plums than cherries. Smooth, fine grained tannins coat the palate, where the more opulent character of this clone really comes out. The blending of Malbec with Cabernet is inspired by vintners in France’s Dordogne region. The Malbec brings a bright cola fruit flavor to the blend.
About the Region
Our wines are grown in Napa Valley’s Atlas Peak AVA. While not an official sub appellation, this vineyard’s location is often referred to as the Silverado Bench (along with William Hill Winery’s 140 planted acres in Cabernet and Chardonnay). It is a series of rolling hills, on a prominent volcanic soil bench at 240 feet in elevation. Grand Duke Winery enjoys excellent views overlooking the southern part of Napa Valley. The vineyard is on an east-facing slope, so it receives full warm summer sun until midafternoon, and then begins to cools off into evening. Because of the elevation above the valley floor, southern Napa Valley location and proximity to the San Pablo Bay – it is not uncommon for the property to be somewhat breezy at times, and cooler than up valley towards Calistoga.
About Harvest & Vinification
Harvest occurs in early to mid-October each year. Aging and bottling is all done onsite. We ferment in cold soak, in oak barrels. The wine is then aged 14-18 months in French Bordeaux oak barrels, medium toast. The vineyard is managed by experienced vineyard partners.
Copyright © 2021 | Grand Duke Winery
Grand Duke Winery 