Rocca Family Vineyards
Grigsby Vineyard Old Vines Winemaker’s Barrel
2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
Yountville
Vintage Perspective Auction
Auction 22 | Lot No. 220
Rocca Family Vineyards
Grigsby Vineyard Old Vines Winemaker’s Barrel
Vintage: 2016
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Yountville
5 cases produced
Highlights
- 100% estate grown Grigsby Vineyard Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon, CCOF certified and organically farmed
- Our winemaker’s favorite barrel of 2016, from the vineyard’s most beautifully expressive vines
- Meticulously handpicked, cluster and berry sorted; uninoculated, unfined and unfiltered
- Aged 20 months in barrel number 33: a new Darnajou Château Ferrée, medium-plus toast
Description
Exclusively for Premiere Napa Valley 2018, Dr. Mary Rocca and her husband, Dr. Eric Grigsby, asked esteemed winemaker Paul Colantuoni to create 60 bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon from his single favorite barrel of the 2016 vintage. The result is the Grigsby Vineyard Old Vines Winemaker’s Barrel. This one-of-a-kind wine is the purest possible expression of the Rocca family’s Grigsby Vineyard in Yountville, Napa Valley: 100% estate grown, certified organically farmed Cabernet from the oldest, most beautifully expressive vines on the property. They meticulously handpicked and hand-sorted the clusters, gently destemmed the grapes, then sorted the individual berries again for absolute perfection. They added nothing to the grapes, allowing them to ferment exclusively with the vineyard's own indigenous yeasts, and bottled the wine without any fining or filtration after 20 months of aging in Paul’s carefully selected tight-grain French oak barrel No. 33. This gorgeously concentrated, exquisitely structured, uniquely delicious creation is a Napa Valley classic that is sure to be a treasured addition to any cellar.
Wine Facts
- Wine is unfiltered
- Single vineyard wine
- Sustainably produced
- Organically produced (also commonly called "organically grown")
Paul Colantuoni
Winemaker, Rocca Family Vineyards
Rocca Family's esteemed winemaker, Paul Colantuoni, has had an exciting international career. Paul broke into the business in Napa Valley, where he worked with Robert Mondavi Winery and Neyers Vineyards. He then spent several years in Europe, honing his talents at Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and with Brancaia in Maremma on the Mediterranean coast of Tuscany. Paul returned to Napa Valley in 2006, and is now focused on crafting world-class artisanal wines for Rocca Family.
Paul brings a strong scientific background to his craft, having studied Chemical Engineering and Molecular Biology at Princeton University until his senior year, when he changed majors to Italian and set his sights on a career as a winemaker. Paul's remarkable creative talents were inspired and refined by years of working with such renowned figures as Ehren Jordan, Bruce Neyers, Frederic and Daniel Brunier, and Carlo Ferrini.
Country born: United States
Education: Princeton University - Chemical Engineering, Molecular Biology, and Italian
Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
Our winemaking philosophy is focused on fully realizing the potential of our beautiful estate vineyards. We strive to express their signature qualities as faithfully as possible, by organically growing the very best possible grapes and then staying out of their way with an emphatically non-interventionist approach in the winery.
Meritage Wine Market
162 South Rancho Santa Fe Road
Suite A-10
Encinitas CA 92024
760-479-2500
Winery Distribution
Rocca Family 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.
Rocca Family Vineyards Contact: Christy McDonald
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