The life so short, the craft so long to learn.
Hippocrates, Aphorisms
Napa Valley’s combination of diverse soils, ideal climate and varied terrain are perfectly suited to producing a wide variety of consistent, high-quality wines. Our climate is classified as Mediterranean. The long, dry growing season is marked by warm days and cool nights influenced by a recurring pattern of marine fog, ideal for wine grapes to ripen slowly, evenly, and with great balance.
Our estate vineyard is planted on exceptionally well-draining sandy and depleted soils that produce a low-yielding crop of concentrated fruit. Surrounded by the rolling hills of Carneros — Mount Veeder to the north, Coombsville to the east, and the San Pablo Bay to the south — our vineyard has been dedicated to sustainably grown Bordeaux varietals since inception in 1999.
Crosby Vineyard
Situated in the cool heart of Napa Valley, where shallow sandy-loam soil and the San Pablo Bay create a singular microclimate, the wines produced at this remarkable site possess a rare combination of vibrant maritime freshness, precisely defined flavors, and fine, silky textures.
The vineyard’s distinct geology features shallow, sandy-clay-rich loam soils shaped by ancient marine sediment deposits and San Pablo Bay’s historic receding waters. These dense, low-fertility soils naturally restrict vine vigor and encourage deep root struggle, producing finely balanced, highly concentrated grapes that authentically express this exceptional, world-class site.
Marked by a deep concentration without any sense of heaviness, and the capacity to develop profound complexity with age, Crosby Vineyard yields an authentic, highly distinctive expression of southern Napa Valley.
The Estate Collection
Crosby’s Reserve
Crosby’s Reserve is a selection of the finest barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon in our cellar from each vintage. Produced from clones 15 and 337, which are planted on the western facing block of our cool climate vineyard, the fruit is fully destemmed, receives a week-long cold soak, following by temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks for 35 days. The grape must is then gently pressed, and the young wine ages twenty months in all new French oak barrels. We only produce Crosby’s Reserve in the finest vintages, and only in extremely limited quantities.
Cuvée Spéciale
Cuvée Spéciale is our reserve expression of Merlot, drawn from select barrels that show exceptional depth, texture, and refinement. Grown in our estate vineyard’s sand-based loam soil on a gently eastern-facing slope, the fruit is harvested at the height of phenolic ripeness to produce a wine of plush concentration, polished structure, and graceful longevity. The grapes are manually sorted for quality, fermented in stainless steel, and aged twenty months in all new French oak barrels, yielding a generous, layered wine with the depth and elegance to evolve beautifully over the next decade.
Estate Cuvée
A blend of the red Bordeaux varietals, our Estate Cuvée is Merlot predominant (80%), with selections of Cabernet Sauvignon (usually 20%), Cabernet Franc (8%), and Petit Verdot (2%). Our vineyard produces full-bodied wines with a soft, velvety texture, moderate tannins, and a fruit-forward profile with notes of raspberry and blackberry, complemented by floral aromas like violets and rose, and notes of fresh herbs and earthy undertones, creating a refreshing yet approachable palate. Oak aging enhances creaminess and adds subtle vanilla and spice.
Chardonnay
Our Chardonnay is planted on a small southeast facing hillside, where the cool nights and days allow for the perfectly balanced ripening of Chardonnay grapes, with wholesome notes of apple cider and mellow flavors of peach juice and pineapple. We whole-cluster press our Chardonnay and rack the juice to mostly new French oak barrels for primary fermentation. The wine ages sur lees with occasional bâtonnage for the next 18 months. This process is used to add complexity, texture, and body to the wine by redistributing the lees back into the liquid, also enhancing aromas. This medium bodied wine is both full and round with an intriguing acidity.
Sauvignon Blanc
Our Sauvignon Blanc was first planted in 1999 to clones 317 and Sauvignon Musque. In 2021 we replaced portions of the original blocks and added one row of Semillon. After harvesting at dawn, by hand, generally the first or second week of September every year, we gently whole-cluster press the juice to concrete, and ferment on native yeast for five weeks. The wine then ages six months in a selection of new French oak barrels and stainless steel drums. Our Sauvignon Blanc displays mellow aromas of acacia and peach juice. White rose, lemon-lime, and vanilla bean, with a soft and lingering finish reminiscent of apricots and white plums.