Larkmead Vineyards

125th Vintage
2020 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley

2022 Offering
Premiere Napa Valley
Auction 26 | Lot No. 45
Vintage: 2020

Larkmead Vineyards

125th Vintage

Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley

5 cases produced

Highlights

  • Your wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, from vines with an average age of 22 to 25 years
  • Sourced from the Cabernet Sauvignon clone developed by Dr. Harold Olmo at Larkmead in the 1940s
  • Aging for 18 months in 100% new French oak, Tonnellerie Sylvain
  • 2020 marks 125 years of acclaimed winegrowing at Larkmead, originally established in 1895

Description

Originally founded in 1895, the 2020 vintage marks 125 years of acclaimed winegrowing at Larkmead. Situated on the valley floor between St. Helena and Calistoga, our historic 110-acre estate is one of the oldest family-owned establishments in Napa Valley. Celebrating this momentous occasion, your Premiere Napa Valley lot is sourced from a very special clone of Cabernet Sauvignon that was originally developed by famed viticulturist Dr. Harold Olmo at Larkmead in the 1940s. Winemaker Avery Heelan is aging this special lot in 100% new Sylvain French oak barrels for 18 months, allowing the intensity of this very special vintage to come into balance with the nuance and complexity of the fruit that is a signature of our remarkable site.


Wine Facts

  • Single vineyard wine
  • Sustainably produced
  • Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
  • Wine is produced in a Napa Green winery

Avery Heelan

Winemaker, Larkmead Vineyards

Winemaker, Avery Heelan

Avery Heelan was born and raised in New England. Fascinated with understanding the basis of all living things, Avery studied Chemistry and earned a B.S. from Northeastern University in Boston. During her time in Boston, she worked in the pharmaceutical industry, first in drug discovery, then on the marketing side. Although fulfilling, Avery was growing more and more interested in the fermentation of foods and beverages. Good food and wine were a centerpiece of family meals growing up and her parents loved visiting Napa. On one fateful visit to Napa Valley, a local in the industry recommended she look into the University of California, Davis and within a few short months, Avery applied, was accepted, and moved to California. She fell in love with wine earning her M.S. in Agriculture and Environmental Chemistry, with a specialization in Viticulture & Enology.

Her career began as a Harvest Cellar Intern at Cade Estate Winery in St. Helena. Avery gained valuable experience working abroad as Vintage Enologist at Capel Vale Winery in Western Australia and as Vintage Assistant Winemaker at Domaine Yves Boyer Martenot in Meursault. Returning to Napa she served as the Cellar Master at Screaming Eagle where she assisted in all aspects of winery operations including the vineyards and ranch. She later received her WSET Level 3 advanced certification and studied the Terroir and Vineyard Management program in Bordeaux, France.

Avery joined Larkmead in 2019 as Associate Winemaker working alongside esteemed former winemaker Dan Petroski. She was instrumental in crafting the winery’s celebrated Cabernet Sauvignons managing the cellar and day-to-day wine production. Employing her wealth of knowledge and scientific background, Avery explored the data and trends in Larkmead’s history, examining grape growing, fermentation management, elevage, and bottle aging over time. She also helped establish Larkmead’s Research Block and develop the winery’s proprietary yeast strain. In July 2021, Avery was promoted to winemaker overseeing all winemaking and vineyards, bringing her keen eye and extensive experience to the wines as the historic estate looks ahead to its next 125 years.

Country born: United States

Years in the wine industry: 10-15 years

Winery Distribution

Larkmead Vineyards is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.

Larkmead Vineyards Contact: Erinn Schwass

Domestic:

  • Alabama ( Grassroots )
  • Arizona ( Stem )
  • California ( Springboard )
  • Colorado ( Natural Wine )
  • Florida ( RNDC )
  • Georgia ( Prime )
  • Illinois ( Heritage Wine Cellars )
  • Indiana ( B Side Selections )
  • Maryland ( Elite Wines )
  • Michigan ( Great Lakes )
  • Minnesota ( Libation Project )
  • Missouri ( Vintegrity )
  • Montana ( Cardinal )
  • Nebraska ( Quench )
  • North Carolina ( Johnson Brothers )
  • Ohio ( Heidelberg )
  • Oklahoma ( RNDC )
  • Oregon ( Prufrock )
  • South Carolina ( Grassroots )
  • South Dakota ( Cask & Cork )
  • Texas ( RNDC )
  • Utah ( Dept of ABS )
  • Virginia ( Elite Wines )

International:

  • Canada - Alberta ( Vice Imports )
  • Canada - British Columbia ( Revelry Import Company )
  • Canada - Ontario ( Brix & Mortar Wine Co. )
  • Japan ( AWines )
  • Switzerland ( NapaWine AG )
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