Pioneer of winemaking in California, H.W Crabb first planted his vineyard in the mid-19th century. Known as one of the best sources of grapes at that time, Crabb named it ‘To Kalon’ from Greek meaning ‘the Highest Good’. In the 20th century, To Kalon found new glory as “Beaulieu Vineyard #4,” source of the legendary Georges de Latour wines made by famed winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff. When Andy Beckstoffer purchased this portion of To Kalon in 1993, Paul seized this rare opportunity to work with this historic site.
Site
Flat topography with a north south exposure
Soil
Gravelly loam over moderately well drained subsoils on the ancient Napa River benchland.
Climate
Oakville is sun-filled and warm by day, and cooled in the late afternoon by Pacific breezes coming in over the Mayacamas Mountains. Its warm climate, in combination with gravelly, well-drained soils has made it a prime area for the cultivation of superb cabernet sauvignon fruit since the mid-1800’s when the Napa Valley was just beginning to establish a reputation for winegrowing.
Clone
6, 377, 4
Planted Since
1994
Owner/Manager
Andy Beckstoffer
Stagecoach Vineyard
First planted in the 1860’s, prohibition forced the vineyard into dormancy until it was rediscovered a hundred years later. Doctor Jan Krupp acquired the vineyard in 1991, replanted it and named it after the stagecoaches that traveled the hills when the vineyard was famous back in the 1800’s. Paul, always hunting for unique terroir, discovered Stagecoach in 1999. We integrated it into our vineyard designate wine program beginning with the 2000 vintage.
Site
Southwest exposure; varied topography depending the blocks going from flat to gentle slope to steep slope
Soil
Rocky, reddish-brown volcanic soils; very poor
Climate
Stagecoach vineyard is located high above the Napa Valley on the west-facing slopes of the Vaca Mountains near Atlas Peak. Its altitude, above the fog line most of the time, allows for a warm, dry climate. Well-drained volcanic soils quickly cool in the afternoon however, allowing fruit grown here to maintain good acidity.
Clone
337,7, weimer selection
Planted Since
1997: L-4; 1999, 1998 and 2000 for the other blocks
Owner/Manager
Jan Krupp
Hyde Vineyard
We have been producing a vineyard designate pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon from Hyde Vineyard since our winery's inception in 1991. Located in the Carneros region, its gentle rolling hills offer myriad micro climates. A masterful viticulturist, Larry Hyde has tended the vineyard with his family since 1979 to great acclaim. It continues year after year to reflect the best of this Napa Valley appellation.
Site
Cabernet sauvignon: south east exposure; 15% slope
Pinot noir: (Calera, beba) east exposure; 12% slope
Pinot noir: (swan) south east exposure; rolling hill
Soil
Pinot Noir soil is about 36 inches deep, and the subsoil is impenetrable clay.
Cabernet sauvignon is on the hills at the northern end of the vineyard where soils are loamier and deeper.
Climate
Carneros is the southernmost sub-appellation of the Napa Valley, located just above the northern tip of the San Francisco Bay. It is influenced by fog and southerly breezes from the bay, which keep it the cooler than the rest of the Valley and allow for a long, moderate growing season that is ideal for chardonnay and pinot noir.
Clone
Cabernet sauvignon: See (aka backus)
Pinot noir: Swan, Calera and Beba
