Monticello Vineyards & PEJU
2011 Cabernet Franc
"Three Shades of Cabernet Franc"
Napa Valley AVA
Auction 17 | Lot No. 109
Vintage: 2011
Monticello Vineyards & PEJU
Cabernet Franc
Napa Valley
10 cases produced
Description
Winemakers Sara Fowler and Chris Corley have shaped a deeply moving blend of dark desire and controlled passions from three barrels of Cabernet Franc from vineyards in Rutherford and Oak Knoll. Inspired by the dominant-submissive play of power and elegance, the blend is sensual, balanced, elegant and totally captivating. Bound with fine texture and savory flavors of sage, thyme and lavender overlaying a base of deep plum, this layered beauty will satisfy every dark desire.
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 | |
 |
Sara Fowler
Winemaker, Monticello Vineyards & PEJU
Sara Fowler has been named Best Local Winemaker by Napa Valley Life Magazine in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Sara began working harvests and summers at Kendall-Jackson, and then pivoted to studying enology at Fresno State and becoming a winemaker. When she arrived at PEJU in 2006 her first mission was to transition the estate vineyard into being organically farmed, which was accomplished in September 2007. Today she supervises the farming of the winery’s six estate vineyards in four different sub-AVAs of the Napa Valley.
Over the past few decades, Sara has traveled the world representing the Napa Valley as a speaker, guest panelist, and wine educator. Sara currently lives in St. Helena, her interests include travel, gourmet cooking, hiking, and Bocce. She has been actively involved with the Rutherford Dust Society since 1999, and was Board Vice President (2023-2025), Napa Valley Vintners, Napa Valley Grape Growers, Wine Tech and ASEV (American Society for Enology and Viticulture.
Country born: United States
Education: Fresno State - Enology & Viticulture
Worked abroad in Chile for Veramonte
Mentors: Jed Steele, Larry Levin, Michel Rolland
Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years
Honors / Awards:
Voted Best Local Winemaker in Napa Valley Life Magazine in 2016, 2017 and 2018
Winemaking Philosophy:
Known throughout the Napa Valley as a master blender, Sara has brought along a wealth of knowledge and creativity into the cellar since joining Peju in 2006. Sara's passion for Bordeaux varietals and knack for innovative blending make her the perfect fit to lead Peju's winemaking team. Her artisic approach towards crafting wine focuses on taking the best components from the Peju estate vineyards and blending them to create the finest possible finished product.
In September 2007, Sara headed Peju's efforts to gain organic certification in the Rutherford Vineyard and she is overseeing the winery's sustainable farming efforts in the Persephone and Wappo Vineyards with organic certification goals in the near future. This method of grape farming not only preserves the land and creates balance in the vineyard, but it also enhances the quality of the fruit.
Chris Corley
Winemaker, Monticello Vineyards & PEJU
I worked at my family's winery in the summers as a teenager, and began full time in the cellar shortly after graduating high school.
Country born: United States
Education: I didn't go to college, choosing rather to learn my craft from the winemakers above and around me through an apprenticeship of 10 years in my family's winery, Monticello Vineyards prior to taking over as head winemaker. I find that the more I learn, the more questions I have. Educating ourselves is lifelong commitment and pursuit.
Years in the wine industry: 30+ years
Honors / Awards:
The greatest honor that I have received is from my family, entrusting me with making the wines that carry our Corley Family name.
Winemaking Philosophy:
The best wines are a combination of respectful grapegrowing and determined winemaking. I listen to the grapes in the field but command the wines in the cellar.
Chris Corley
Winemaker, Monticello Vineyards & PEJU
I worked at my family's winery in the summers as a teenager, and began full time in the cellar shortly after graduating high school. The 2010 harvest was my 20th at Monticello Vineyards in Napa Valley. I also make wine for a handful of small Napa Valley producers and have been making wine in the Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico for the last four vintages.
Country born: United States
Education: I didn't go to college, choosing rather to learn my craft from the winemakers above and around me through an apprenticeship of 10 years in my family's winery, Monticello Vineyards.
Years in the wine industry: 15-20 years
Honors / Awards:
The greatest honor that I have received is from my family, entrusting me with making the wines that carry our Corley Family name.
Winemaking Philosophy:
The best wines are a combination of respectful grapegrowing and determined winemaking. I listen to the grapes in the field but command the wines in the cellar.
Omaha Wine Company
701 North 114th Street
Omaha NE 68154
402-431-8558
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Omaha Wine Company:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Craig Winery | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | The Far Blocks | 26 (2022) |
| The Wine Foundry | 2020 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | 26 (2022) | |
| Ancien | 2019 | Pinot Noir | Coombsville | Mink Vineyard Select Barrel | 24 (2020) |
| Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards | 2018 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | The White Horse | 24 (2020) |
| Pope Valley Winery | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | PNV Super Blend | 24 (2020) |
| Vine Cliff Winery | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Jewel | 24 (2020) |
| Montgomery Vineyard | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | Val's Blend | 23 (2019) |
| Pellet Estate | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | The “A.K.” | 22 (2018) |
| Porter Family Vineyards | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | Lion's Lair | 22 (2018) |
| Somerston Estate | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Block 60 | 22 (2018) |
| Alta Napa Valley | Non-vintage | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 18 (2014) | |
| Ancien Wines | 2013 | Pinot Noir | Napa Valley | Selection Massale | 18 (2014) |
| Anderson's Conn Valley Vineyards | 2012 | Merlot | Napa Valley | Estate Reserve Block 6 | 18 (2014) |
| Pellet Estate | 2012 | Petit Verdot | St. Helena | 18 (2014) | |
| Frias Family Vineyard | 2011 | Red Wine | Spring Mountain District | Frias Blend | 17 (2013) |
| Monticello Vineyards & PEJU | 2011 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | Three Shades of Cabernet Franc | 17 (2013) |
| Sciandri Family Vineyards | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | Labor of Love | 17 (2013) |
| Liparita Cellars | 2000 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Hillside Selection | 6 (2002) |
| Schweiger Vineyards | 1999 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Spring Mountain District | Tonellerie Sylvain Barrel Selection | 5 (2001) |
Winery Distribution
Monticello Vineyards & PEJU 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 (M&J wines )
- Arizona (MAVERICK BEVERAGE CO )
- Arkansas (SOUTHERN GLAZER'S)
- California (WNEBOW FINE WINE AND SPIRITS )
- Colorado (MAVERICK BEVERAGE COMPANY)
- Connecticut (WINEBOW FINE WINE)
- Delaware (WINEBOW FINE WINE )
- Florida (MAVERICK BEVERAGE COMPANY)
- Georgia (EMPIRE DISTRIBUTING)
- Hawaii (JOHNSON BROTHER'S)
- Idaho (CS BEVERAGE BOISE)
- Illinois (MAVERICK BEVERAGE COMPANY)
- Indiana (CARROLL WINE & SPIRITS)
- Iowa (OKOBOJI WINES)
- Kentucky (RNDC)
- Louisiana (SELECT WINES)
- Maryland (WNEBOW FINE WINE AND SPIRITS )
- Massachusetts (RUBY WINES)
- Michigan (VINTAGE WNE COMPANY)
- Minnesota (MAVERICK BEVERAGE COMPANY)
- Mississippi (RNDC)
- Missouri (LOHR)
- Missouri (LOHR DISTRIBUTING)
- Nevada (CORJ DISTRIBUTORS)
- New Jersey (WINEBOW)
- New York (WINEBOW FINE WINE)
- North Carolina (JOHNSON BROTHER'S)
- Ohio (SOUTHERN GLAZER'S)
- Oklahoma (PREMIUM BRANDS)
- Oregon (VEHRS DISTRIBUTING)
- Pennsylvania (NORTHERN WINE)
- South Carolina (WINEBOW FINE WINE)
- South Dakota (OKOBOJI WINES)
- Tennessee (LIPMAN BROTHERS)
- Tennessee (EMPIRE DISTRIBUTORS)
- Texas (MAVERICK BEVERAGE COMPANY)
- Utah (RNDC)
- Vermont (FARRELL DISTRIBUTING)
- Virginia (JOHNSON BROTHER'S)
- Virginia (BREAKTHROUGH BEVERAGE)
- Washington (VEHRS DISTRIBUTING)
- Wisconsin (BREAKTHROUGH BEVERAGE)
- Wyoming (RNDC)
International:
- Canada - Alberta (Fluid Imports )
- Canada - Ontario (Le Sommelier )
- Dominican Republic (Varietals Worldwide)
- South Korea (LOTTE CHILSUNG BEVERAGE CO. LTC)