Early Colors and Ancient Glass
On July 21, we captured a season in motion: in our Block 3 Merlot, which has been dedicated in the two years to our Cuvée Spéciale — veraison has just begun. Barely ten percent of the berries show their deep violet hue among the foliage. Steps away in our Cabernet Sauvignon clone 47 block 1, some solitary clusters are already nearing the end of color change.
It is a surprisingly early pace for mid-July, particularly given that our Growing Degree Days (GDD) trail warmer vintages like 2024.
Below that green canopy lies a memory.
Resting atop the north end post in our first row of Cabernet Sauvignon sits an eight-pound block of natural obsidian. Uncovered while tilling our sandy loam soil this spring, it was likely dropped by Native Americans centuries ago — a volcanic artifact left in the earth long before grapevines took root in southern Napa. When and why it arrived here remains a mystery, but placing it on the post feels like a nod to the land’s history.
As the grapes turn and the vintage takes shape, these quiet moments remind us why we work row by row. Between early-ripening clusters and ancient obsidian, our estate continues to tell its story — one of restraint, deep history, and the quiet promise of what’s to come in the cellar.
Growing Degree Days: 1207 (2025 GDD: 1139; 2024 GDD: 1339)
