Shafer Vineyards
2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Sunspot Vineyard"
Stags Leap District AVA
Auction 22 | Lot No. 67
Vintage: 2016
Shafer Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon
Stags Leap District
5 cases produced
Highlights
- Our 2016 Sunspot is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from a single vineyard block
- Year after year, the Sunspot block is the heart of Hillside Select
- Our rugged, arid hillside estate vineyards produce small clusters of dark, richly flavored fruit
- Aged for 32 months in 100% new French oak in 60-gallon barrels (Allier and Tronçais)
Description
Our 2016 Sunspot Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from a single vineyard block that, year after year, is the "heart" of Shafer's Hillside Select. The vines on this dry, rugged hillside produce small grapes, typically about the size of blueberries.
Wine Facts
- Sustainably produced
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
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.
H-E-B
646 South Flores
San Antonio TX 78204-1210
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from H-E-B:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CADE Estate Winery | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 13th Vineyard | 27 (2023) |
| Far Niente | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 27 (2023) | |
| Mount Veeder Winery | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | 27 (2023) | |
| Nickel & Nickel | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | John C. Sullenger Vineyard | 27 (2023) |
| Pine Ridge Vineyards | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Luminary | 27 (2023) |
| Round Pond Estate | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | SVS Gravel Series Blend | 27 (2023) |
| Silverado Vineyards | 2021 | Red Table Wine | Coombsville | Right Bank Reverie | 27 (2023) |
| St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Estate Bottled | 27 (2023) |
| Taub Family Vineyards | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Triumvirate | 27 (2023) |
| Cliff Lede Vineyards | 2021 | White Wine | Stags Leap District | High Fidelity Blanc | 26 (2022) |
| Faust | 2020 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | The Pact | 26 (2022) |
| Larkmead Vineyards | 2020 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 125th Vintage | 26 (2022) |
| Palmaz Vineyards | 2020 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | Tortuga | 26 (2022) |
| Salvestrin | 2020 | Cabernet Franc | St. Helena | Dr. Crane Vineyard Proprietary Blend | 26 (2022) |
| Cakebread Cellars | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 25 (2021) | |
| Faust | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | The Pact | 25 (2021) |
| Merryvale Vineyards | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Stanly Ranch Estate Vineyard | 25 (2021) |
| Silver Oak | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | A Wine by Any Other Name | 25 (2021) |
| Terra Valentine | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Spring Mountain District | Night Sky | 25 (2021) |
| Belle Glos | 2018 | Pinot Noir | Napa Valley | Eulenloch | 24 (2020) |
| Burgess Cellars | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Brush Breaker | 24 (2020) |
| Cakebread Cellars | 2018 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | 24 (2020) | |
| Faust | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | The Pact - Coombsville Anniversary Blend | 24 (2020) |
| Hestan Vineyards | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 24 (2020) | |
| Odette Estate Winery | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | 24 (2020) | |
| Pride Mountain Vineyards | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Summit Select | 24 (2020) |
| Reynolds Family Winery | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | Mountain | 24 (2020) |
| The Hess Collection Winery | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | Ridge 4 | 24 (2020) |
| Trefethen Family Vineyards | 2018 | Red Wine | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | 24 (2020) | |
| Chappellet Vineyard | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 23 (2019) | |
| Clos Du Val | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Full Circle | 23 (2019) |
| Clos Pegase | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | 23 (2019) | |
| Coquerel Family Wine Estates | 2018 | Sauvignon Blanc | Calistoga | 23 (2019) | |
| Galerie | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 23 (2019) | |
| Inglenook | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Three Part Harmony | 23 (2019) |
| Michael Mondavi Family Estate | 2018 | Sauvignon Blanc | Napa Valley | 23 (2019) | |
| Paraduxx | 2017 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Premiere Blend | 23 (2019) |
| Pine Ridge Vineyards | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 4x5 | 23 (2019) |
| Schrader Cellars | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Schrader MB | 23 (2019) |
| Stag's Leap Wine Cellars | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | FAY Block 5C | 23 (2019) |
| Terlato Vineyards | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Episode | 23 (2019) |
| Vineyard 29 | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | St. Helena Special | 23 (2019) |
| Whitehall Lane | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 23 (2019) | |
| Yao Family Wines | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 23 (2019) | |
| Bella Union | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 22 (2018) | |
| Clos Pegase | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Les Minéraux | 22 (2018) |
| Darioush | 2016 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 22 (2018) | |
| Faust | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | The Pact-Barrel Selection | 22 (2018) |
| Foley Johnson | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 22 (2018) | |
| Groth Vineyards & Winery | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Sweet Spot | 22 (2018) |
| HALL | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Sacrashe | 22 (2018) |
| Heritance Vintners | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Beckstoffer Vineyard Georges III | 22 (2018) |
| JaM Cellars | 2017 | Chardonnay | Napa Valley | ButterBlonde | 22 (2018) |
| Jamieson Ranch Vineyards | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Falabella | 22 (2018) |
| Louis M. Martini Winery | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | No. 254 Blend | 22 (2018) |
| Mount Veeder Winery | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | 22 (2018) | |
| Mt. Brave | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | 22 (2018) | |
| Paul Hobbs Winery | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | Nathan Coombs Estate | 22 (2018) |
| Pine Ridge Vineyards | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 5x5 | 22 (2018) |
| Shafer Vineyards | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Sunspot Vineyard | 22 (2018) |
| St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Louis XIV | 22 (2018) |
| Stags' Leap Winery | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | 22 (2018) | |
| Terlato Vineyards | 2016 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | EPISODE | 22 (2018) |
| Arrow&Branch, Caldwell, Covert, Italics | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | Coombsville Crew | 21 (2017) |
| Bella Union | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 21 (2017) | |
| Beran | 2015 | Zinfandel | Napa Valley | 21 (2017) | |
| Beringer Vineyards | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 21 (2017) | |
| Clos Pegase | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | The Gravels | 21 (2017) |
| Emerson Brown | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 21 (2017) | |
| Etude | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 21 (2017) | |
| Faust | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | Salvation | 21 (2017) |
| Foley Johnson | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 21 (2017) | |
| Heritance Vintners | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Beckstoffer Georges III | 21 (2017) |
| JaM Cellars | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | 21 (2017) | |
| Modus Operandi Cellars | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Gravitas | 21 (2017) |
| Mount Veeder Winery | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | Rosenquist Ranch | 21 (2017) |
| Newton Vineyard | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 21 (2017) | |
| Robert Mondavi Winery | 2015 | Red Wine | Oakville | Monastery Block, To Kalon Vineyard | 21 (2017) |
| Trefethen Family Vineyards | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | p = mv | 21 (2017) |
| Twomey Cellars | 2015 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Proprietary Blend | 21 (2017) |
| VinRoc Wine Caves | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Atlas Peak | Red Lava | 21 (2017) |
| Acumen | 2014 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 2+2+2+2 | 20 (2016) |
| Bell Wine Cellars | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 20 (2016) | |
| Coquerel Family Wine Estates | 2015 | Sauvignon Blanc | Calistoga | Terroir Walnut Wash | 20 (2016) |
| Davies Vineyards | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | J. Davies Estate- Jamie's Block | 20 (2016) |
| Ghost Block and Markham | 2014 | Red Wine | Yountville | 20 (2016) | |
| Groth Vineyards & Winery | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Sweet Spot | 20 (2016) |
| HALL | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Sacrashe | 20 (2016) |
| Hewitt Vineyard and Provenance Vineyards | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Peaks and Valleys | 20 (2016) |
| Jamieson Ranch Vineyards | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Atlas Peak | Stagecoach | 20 (2016) |
| Laird Family Estate | 2014 | Red Wine | Yountville | Flat Rock Ranch Proprietary Blend | 20 (2016) |
| Merus | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | 20 (2016) | |
| Raymond Vineyards | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Masquerade | 20 (2016) |
| Silver Oak Cellars | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 20 (2016) | |
| Silverado Vineyards | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Solo- Heritage Clone | 20 (2016) |
| Appellations | 2013 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Unbroken | 19 (2015) |
| Conn Creek Winery | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | UnCONNtested | 19 (2015) |
| Darioush | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 19 (2015) | |
| Faust | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Liberation | 19 (2015) |
| Goosecross Cellars | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | State Lane | 19 (2015) |
| Hoopes Vineyard | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 19 (2015) | |
| Kuleto Estate | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 19 (2015) | |
| Laird Family Estate | 2013 | Red Wine | Yountville | Flat Rock Proprietary Blend | 19 (2015) |
| Michael Mondavi Family Estate | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Animo Barrel Selection | 19 (2015) |
| Raymond Vineyards | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Masquerade | 19 (2015) |
| Silverado Vineyards | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | SOLO - Heritage Clone | 19 (2015) |
| Chappellet Vineyard | 2012 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Pritchard Hill Persuasion | 18 (2014) |
| Faust | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Atlas Peak | 18 (2014) | |
| HALL | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | Rainin Vineyard | 18 (2014) |
| Hewitt Vineyard & Provenance Vineyards | 2012 | Red Wine | Rutherford | "Cab Meets Cab Franc" | 18 (2014) |
| Hoopes Vineyard | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Scion | 18 (2014) |
| Nickel & Nickel | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | John C. Sullenger Vineyard | 18 (2014) |
| Silverado Vineyards | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | SOLO - Heritage Clone | 18 (2014) |
| Trefethen Family Vineyards | 2012 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | Ankle Breaker | 18 (2014) |
| Black Stallion Estate Winery | 2011 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Unison | 17 (2013) |
| Emblem Wines | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | OSO VINEYARD BARREL SELECTION | 17 (2013) |
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)