Hills of Grace
2021 Cabernet Sauvignon
Stags Leap District
At Chimney Rock, we pride ourselves in crafting wines that offer connoisseurs a balance of power and grace. Among our prized estate vineyards in the Stags Leap District nested appellation there are two magnificent hillside Cabernet Sauvignon blocks: Cardiac Hill and Alpine Vineyard. For the first time ever, our Premiere Napa Valley lot combines the terroir and microclimate of these blocks into one seductive Cabernet Sauvignon wine. Cardiac Hill is a warm, steep site with closer proximity to the Stags Leap District Palisades. This site gifts us with grapes that are opulent, rich and fruit-forward. Alpine Vineyard is the southern-most block on the estate. With less direct heat from the Palisades, the fruit from this block is often slightly savory, with hints of cassis, mint, dried herbs and a bold structure. The blend of these two incredible blocks results in a wine to be reckoned with. This is classic Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon at its finest.
Winemaker, Chimney Rock Winery
My experience as a winemaker began with two wonderful internships, the first at Trefethen Vineyards and the second at Chimney Rock Winery, more than a decade ago. I then went on to Napa Wine Company for a few years as lab director and assistant winemaker, where I learned much from some amazing winemakers in this valley. I was fortunate enough to work closely with Heidi Barret, Celia Macyzek, Erin Green and Pam Starr, among many other inspiring women in wine. I then returned to Chimney Rock as assistant winemaker in 2002 and was eventually promoted to winemaker.
Country born: Brazil
Education: Masters degree in enology U.C. Davis
Years in the wine industry: 15-20 years
Honors / Awards:
Commencement speaker, University of California-Davis School of Graduate Studies, 2009
Winemaking Philosophy:
My goal is to create wines with great texture and to have those wines represent the vineyards from which they are born. The tactile experience is just as important as the aroma and flavor. More specifically, my goal as winemaker at Chimney Rock is to highlight and honor the strengths of the amazing Cabernet we grow in Stags Leap District.
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