Petit Abacus
Non-vintage Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
Abacus, ZD Wines’ legendary Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, is a multi-vintage blend that artfully expresses the depth and complexity of a well-aged wine, infused with a touch of forward fruit and the intensity of a younger wine. It is defined by ZD Wines’ Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Petit Abacus is a solera blend of every vintage of Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ZD has produced (1992 to 2021), with an addition of 2022 Petit Verdot.
Winemaker, ZD Wines
Growing up in a big Italian family, Senior Winemaker Chris Pisani learned to appreciate the very aspects that make Napa Valley so memorable: great people, history, wine and food. During his formative years, Chris studied chemistry in college while experimenting with winemaking at home. He quickly was hooked, and Chris was destined to move to the Napa Valley wine country with his wife, Ina. Chris followed the path of many Napa Valley renowned winemakers and attended UC Davis to study viticulture and enology. Chris fell headfirst into the world of winemaking and started down the path that would lead him to ZD Wines in 1996. As senior winemaker, Chris, along with third generation Winemaker Brandon deLeuze, is responsible for producing ZD’s world class wines: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet. Together, they strive to make the best wines in Napa Valley and focus on quality, consistency and style.
Country born: United States
Education: Chemistry Degree Suny Stonybrook 1991
UC Davis- enology course, and graduate work
Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
When creating a wine, we create it with the customer in mind, with our fans in mind, not the critics. By enjoying our wines, they are sharing in our history, in our heart, and in the passion that we put forth every day. It's why we do what we do.
Winemaker, ZD Wines
Like his father and grandfather before him, Winemaker Brandon always knew that he wanted to make wine. Brandon was one of the first graduates from the Wine and Viticulture program at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. He continued his education working in vineyard management for Pacific Vineyard Company and in production at Eberle Winery. Brandon started working full-time for ZD in 2006 and received his Wine Intensive EMBA from Sonoma State University in 2015. He is committed to producing the highest quality wines, raising the bar of excellence, and is always looking for new and innovative approaches to winemaking.
Country born: United States
Education: Bachelor of Science in Wine & Viticulture with Enology Concentration, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; Wine Intensive EMBA from Sonoma State University.
Years in the wine industry: 15-20 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
ZD's winemaking style began to take shape in 1969 with my grandfather, Norman deLeuze. Originally an aerospace engineer, his jump into winemaking was not only fueled by passion for wine, but supported by great technical ability. My father, Robert deLeuze, then built upon this platform to create the distinctive style that ZD is so well-known for today. With an uncompromising focus on quality, consistency and style, we continue to maintain an unwavering balance between tradition and innovation.
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