Shafer Vineyards
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Sunspot Vineyard"
Stags Leap District AVA
Auction 15 | Lot No. 112
Vintage: 2009
Shafer Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon
Stags Leap District
5 cases produced
Description
With its steep slope and western exposure,
Shafer’s Sunspot Vineyard resembles its
namesake, a favorite Utah ski run where John
Shafer taught his children to ski. Sunspot
forms the backbone of Shafer’s Hillside Select.
Here it stars solo in a quarter barrel lot from
the 2009 vintage.
Wine Facts
- Single vineyard wine
- Sustainably produced
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
Tasting Chart
| bone dry |
|
very sweet |
| light body |
|
very full bodied |
| soft, gentle |
|
very crisp |
| no tannins |
|
heavy tannins |
 |
Elias Fernandez
Winemaker, Shafer Vineyards
Elias Fernandez has been making wine at Shafer Vineyards for 40 years, forging a style of boldness, elegance, and balance that has been embraced by wine lovers throughout the world. Elias earned his success in part because he knows Napa Valley vineyards from the roots up. He knows first-hand what it’s like to work in 100-degree heat among dusty vine rows as well as the difficulties of pruning vines in the freezing winter pre-dawn light.
Elias’ father came to the U.S. from Michoacan, Mexico and worked in the San Joaquin Valley as a farm laborer. His mother was born in Napa Valley where her father was a laborer who helped build the rail line that runs through Yountville. Both parents picked prunes and walnuts in the days before wine grapes became the predominant crop in the Valley. Some of Elias’ earliest memories are in these orchards.
In junior high, Elias started working in vineyards with his father where he learned to drive tractors, train and prune grapevines and from both parents he learned the value of hard work and self reliance. "When I graduated from UC Davis, I knew I wanted to work for a smaller winery that would give me the chance to be a "hands-on" winemaker, getting involved in all aspects of running a cellar. I had a lot of excitement getting into this career and that excitement has stayed with me."
Country born: United States
Education: B.S. in Fermentation Science from U.C. Davis
Years in the wine industry: 30+ years
Honors / Awards:
"Winemaker of the Year" - Food & Wine magazine and Wine & Spirits magazine; inducted into the Hispanic Scholarship Fund's Hispanic Hall of Fame at The White House
Winemaking Philosophy:
Coming into this 40 years ago, I thought that winemaking happened underneath the roof of the cellar. Today who I am as a winemaker has umbrellaed in a big way. Winemaking starts in January with pruning and continues throughout the year. I'm not just selecting the best fruit, I'm selecting the best corks, the right barrel staves, ensuring that the bottling line is working at top efficiency. What I've also learned is to let the land dictate the best grape variety and the style of the wine that ends up in the bottle.
The Wine House
2311 Cotner Avenue
Los Angeles CA 90064
310-479-3731
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from The Wine House:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palazzo Wine | 2016 | Cabernet Franc | Los Carneros | Midnight Angel | 22 (2018) |
| Somerston Estate | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Block 95 | 21 (2017) |
| Continuum Estate | 2014 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 20 (2016) | |
| Lang & Reed Wine Company | 2015 | Chenin Blanc | Napa Valley | Lost but Found | 20 (2016) |
| Long Meadow Ranch | 2014 | Merlot | Rutherford | Rutherford Estate | 20 (2016) |
| Schramsberg Vineyards | 1990 | Sparkling Wine | Napa Valley | J. Schram Late Disgorged | 20 (2016) |
| Casa Nuestra Winery and Vineyards | 2012 | Cabernet Franc | St. Helena | 19 (2015) | |
| Continuum Estate | 2013 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Proprietary Blend | 19 (2015) |
| Joseph Phelps Vineyards | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Backus Vineyard | 19 (2015) |
| Leto Cellars | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | The Elder | 19 (2015) |
| Oakville East Exposure | 2013 | Cabernet Franc | Oakville | MAJEK | 19 (2015) |
| Pride Mountain Vineyards | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Summit Select | 19 (2015) |
| PureCru Napa Valley | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | The Newest Secret | 19 (2015) |
| Saintsbury | 2014 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Stanly Ranch | 19 (2015) |
| Courtesan | 2012 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Veronica | 18 (2014) |
| Merus | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | Bennett Vineyard | 18 (2014) |
| Pahlmeyer | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 18 (2014) | |
| Scarecrow Wine | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Toto's Opium Dream: Scene III | 18 (2014) |
| Somerston Estate | 2012 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Blend | 18 (2014) |
| Arrow&Branch | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | 17 (2013) | |
| Artesa Vineyards & Winery | 2012 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Estate | 17 (2013) |
| Bouchaine Vineyards | 2012 | Pinot Noir | Napa Valley | Auction Select Best Barrel | 17 (2013) |
| BRAND Napa Valley | 2011 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Debut | 17 (2013) |
| Derenoncourt California | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | Las Posadas | 17 (2013) |
| Foley Johnson | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 17 (2013) | |
| Hewitt Vineyard & Provenance Vineyards | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Sleeping Lady | 17 (2013) |
| Keenan Winery | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Spring Mountain District | Waited So Long | 17 (2013) |
| Nickel & Nickel | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Tench Vineyard | 17 (2013) |
| Robert Craig Winery | 2011 | Red Wine | Mount Veeder | Pym Rae | 17 (2013) |
| Saint Helena Winery | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | 17 (2013) | |
| Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Ignem et Aquam | 17 (2013) |
| Turnbull Wine Cellars | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Le Corbeau | 17 (2013) |
| Arkenstone Vineyards | 2010 | Cabernet Franc | Howell Mountain | 16 (2012) | |
| Beringer Vineyards | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Home Vineyard | 16 (2012) |
| Clos Du Val | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Joie Du Vin | 16 (2012) |
| Dana Estates | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 16 (2012) | |
| Grgich Hills Estate | 2011 | Chardonnay | Los Carneros | Paris Tasting Commemorative | 16 (2012) |
| Groth Vineyards & Winery | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Sweet Spot | 16 (2012) |
| Joseph Phelps Vineyards | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 16 (2012) | |
| Louis M. Martini Winery | 2010 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 254 Series | 16 (2012) |
| Peacock Family Vineyard | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Spring Mountain District | The Shire | 16 (2012) |
| Provenance Vineyards | 2010 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 16 (2012) | |
| Clark-Claudon Vineyards | 2009 | Petit Verdot | Napa Valley | Briana's Song | 15 (2011) |
| Far Niente | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Martin Stelling Vineyard | 15 (2011) |
| Lang & Reed Wine Company | 2009 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | Last Stand | 15 (2011) |
| Long Meadow Ranch Winery | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | F Block Reserve | 15 (2011) |
| Maroon Wines | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Maroon Vineyard | 15 (2011) |
| ROY Estate | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Voix Basse (a whisper) | 15 (2011) |
| Shafer Vineyards | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Sunspot Vineyard | 15 (2011) |
| Spottswoode Estate Vineyard and Winery | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | 15 (2011) | |
| Tres Sabores | 2009 | Petite Sirah | Calistoga | 15 (2011) | |
| Chateau Montelena Winery | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | Montelena Estate G Block Old Vine Finale | 14 (2010) |
| Frog's Leap | 2008 | Petite Sirah | Rutherford | Galleron Vineyard | 14 (2010) |
| Groth Vineyards & Winery | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Core Blend | 14 (2010) |
| Page Wine Cellars | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Your Personal Stash | 14 (2010) |
| Snowden Vineyards | 2009 | Sauvignon Blanc | Napa Valley | 14 (2010) | |
| Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | The Alchemist | 14 (2010) |
| Stags’ Leap Winery | 2008 | Petite Sirah | Stags Leap District | Ne Cede Malis Estate-Grown Field Blend | 14 (2010) |
| White Rock Vineyards | 2008 | Petit Verdot | Napa Valley | 14 (2010) | |
| Buehler Vineyards | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Kindly Well | 13 (2009) |
| Clos Du Val | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | 13 (2009) | |
| Conn Creek Winery | 2006 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | The Finale | 13 (2009) |
| Continuum Estate | 2007 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | PNV Proprietary Blend | 13 (2009) |
| Grgich Hills Estate | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon | 13 (2009) |
| Hewitt Vineyard | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 13 (2009) | |
| Kuleto Estate | 2007 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | La Concha | 13 (2009) |
| Lang and Reed Wine Company | 2007 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Dubious Duo | 13 (2009) |
| Nickel and Nickel | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | State Lane Vineyard | 13 (2009) |
| Robert Mondavi Winery | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | T Block | 13 (2009) |
| Wolf Family Vineyards | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 13 (2009) | |
| Bouchaine Vineyards | 2007 | Pinot Noir | Napa Valley | Auction Select/Best Barrel | 12 (2008) |
| Cain Vineyard and Winery | 2006 | Red Wine | Spring Mountain District | François’ Pick | 12 (2008) |
| Cardinale | 2006 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 12 (2008) | |
| Corison Winery | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Premiere Reserve | 12 (2008) |
| Groth Vineyards and Winery | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | OX | 12 (2008) |
| Lang and Reed Wine Company | 2007 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | Expression 214 | 12 (2008) |
| Mount Veeder Winery | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | 12 (2008) | |
| Reverie on Diamond Mountain | 2007 | Malbec | Diamond Mountain District | The First Harvest | 12 (2008) |
| Silver Oak Cellars | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Ernie’s Pretty Girl | 12 (2008) |
| Spelletich Cellars | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | True Reserve | 12 (2008) |
| ZD Wines | Non-vintage | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Petit Abacus | 12 (2008) |
| Brown Estate Vineyards | 2004 | 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Zinfandel | Napa Valley | 10 (2006) | |
| Provenance Vineyards | 2005 | 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Petit Verdot | Napa Valley | 10 (2006) | |
| Sequoia Grove Vineyards | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Morisoli Vineyard | 10 (2006) |
| Spring Mountain Vineyard | 2004 | Cabernet Franc | Spring Mountain District | Cabernet Franc-Oh!-Phile | 10 (2006) |
| Niebaum-Coppola Estate Winery | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 9 (2005) | |
| Veraison | 2004 | Petit Verdot | Napa Valley | 9 (2005) | |
| Chateau Montelena Winery | 2002 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | The Montelena Estate | 8 (2004) |
| Trefethen Family Vineyards | 2001 | Red Table Wine | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | Oak Knoll Five | 7 (2003) |
| Cain Vineyard and Winery | 2000 | Syrah | Spring Mountain District | 6 (2002) | |
| Livingston Moffett Wines, LLC | 2000 | Merlot | Yountville | Gemstone Vineyard | 6 (2002) |
| Robert Craig Winery | 2000 | Cabernet Franc | Mount Veeder | 6 (2002) |
Winery Distribution
Shafer 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.
Domestic:
- Alabama (International Wines & Craft Beer)
- Alaska (Columbia/Young's Market)
- Arizona (Quail Distributing)
- Arkansas (Moon Distributors)
- California (Winebow - North/South)
- California (Winebow - North)
- California (Winebow - South)
- Colorado (Grand Vin)
- Connecticut (Worldwide Wines c/o Brescome Barton)
- Delaware (Vintage Import)
- Florida (BreakThru Beverage)
- Florida (Augustan Wine Imports)
- Georgia (Winebow)
- Hawaii (Chambers & Chambers)
- Idaho (Craig Stein Beverage - Sun Valley/East)
- Idaho (Idaho Wine Merchants - Western)
- Illinois (Maverick Wine Co)
- Indiana (Carroll Co)
- Iowa (Okoboji Wines)
- Kansas (LDF Sales and Dist. Inc.)
- Kentucky (Heidelberg Distributing)
- Louisiana (Wines Unlimited)
- Maine (South Portland Wine Company)
- Maryland (Bacchus Importers Ltd)
- Massachusetts (Carolina Wine Co/Martignetti)
- Michigan (Great Lakes Wine & Spirits)
- Minnesota (The Wine Company)
- Mississippi (International Wines, Inc.)
- Missouri (Glazer's Midwest-Kansas City)
- Montana (George's Distributing Wine)
- Nebraska (Quail Distributing)
- Nevada (Vin Sauvage, LLC)
- New Hampshire (Martignetti Companies of NH)
- New Jersey (Winebow Inc)
- New Mexico (Bacchus Wine Patrol / SWS NM)
- New York (Winebow Inc)
- North Carolina (RNDC Company, LLC )
- North Carolina (Advintage of NC)
- North Dakota (RNDC Company, LLC )
- Ohio (Wine Trends)
- Oklahoma (Thirst Wine Merchant)
- Oregon (Galaxy Wine Company)
- Pennsylvania (Vintage Imports)
- Rhode Island (Mancini Beverage / Rhode Island Distributing)
- South Carolina (Advintage Distributing)
- Tennessee (Best Brands Inc - NASHVILLE & CHATTANOGA)
- Tennessee (D & V Distributing - KNOXVILLE)
- Tennessee (Southern (Glazer's) - MEMPHIS)
- Texas (RNDC- Schertz)
- Texas (RNDC- Grand Prairie)
- Texas (RNDC- Houston)
- Utah (Utah Liquor Control)
- Virginia (Winebow)
- Virginia (Select Wines- North VA)
- Washington (Winebow)
- Wisconsin (Prestige Wines Wisconsin)
- Wisconsin (Prestige Wines Wisconsin-Oshkosh)
- Wisconsin (Prestige Wines Wisconsin- Madison)
- Wyoming (Wyoming Liquor Commission)
International:
- Austria (TransGourmet)
- Belgium (Vinesse)
- Bermuda (Barrows Lightbourn)
- Canada (Rogers/International)
- Caribbean (Webb Banks)
- China (ASC)
- Costa Rica (Vinum Aura)
- Denmark (Bergman Fine Wines)
- France (Valade et Transadine)
- Germany (Freund)
- Hong Kong (Ponti)
- Ireland (James Nicholson)
- Japan (Hottei)
- Liechtenstein (Ritter)
- Luxembourg (Vimowa)
- Mexico (Great Fine Wines)
- Netherlands (Bart)
- Philippines (Transcontinental)
- Singapore (Excaliber)
- South Korea (Nara)
- Spain (Vila Vinteca)
- Sweden (VinUnic)
- Switzerland (Martell)
- Taiwan (Atherton)
- Thailand (California Pacific Wines)
- United Kingdom (Thorman Hunt)