Freemark Abbey
2017 Cabernet Sauvignon
"VanZ Vineyard"
St. Helena AVA
Auction 23 | Lot No. 85
Vintage: 2017
Freemark Abbey
Cabernet Sauvignon
St. Helena
20 cases produced
Highlights
- With a long history, the VanZ Vineyard is one of the few left within the city of St. Helena
- Located a stone’s throw away from downtown, this dry-farmed vineyard produces very small berries
- These grapes express black fruit flavors, tons of depth and a rich, dark color
- The iconic Freemark Abbey winery is thrilled to offer a wine from this historic vineyard
Description
Celebrating over 132 years of winemaking history, we are thrilled to offer this one-of-a-kind wine from the historical VanZ vineyard. Located northeast and a stone's throw from downtown St. Helena, this mature Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard is dry farmed, producing low yields and very concentrated fruit. Warm and very well-drained soil, this vineyard ripens relatively early, producing tiny berries that impart rich, dark fruit flavors, coupled with very dark color. This vineyard is the backbone of our special bottling called Josephine, a tribute to the women who started our winery in 1886.
Wine Facts
- Wine is unfiltered
- Single vineyard wine
- Wine was dry farmed
- Sustainably produced
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
Ted Edwards
Winemaker, Freemark Abbey
After graduating from college, I wanted to make Cabernet Sauvignon. I took a position with Freemark Abbey Winery in 1980 as the assistant winemaker; I couldn't have landed in a better spot to learn my craft. After two vintages, I was transfered by the mutual ownership to Rutherford Hill Winery to be the associate winemaker. In 1985, the partners invited me back to become the winemaker at Freemark Abbey Winery. I have been in charge of the Freemark Abbey wines from that point to present.
Country born: United States
Education: M.S. in Food Science at U.C. Davis 1980
Mentors:
Brad Webb
Phil Baxter
Larry Langbehn
Jerry Luper
Justin Meyer
Years in the wine industry: 30+ years
Winemaking Philosophy:
I like comparing winemaking to cooking. Just as a chef would grow his own herb and vegetable garden, it is ideal for a winemaker to actively participate in the vineyard, see the grape growing through harvest, and bring this abundantly juicy produce to the winery, our kitchen, to make a full-bodied wine with layers of flavor. To develop the flavors that we want, it is important to use the right varietal, rootstock, and selected clone for the soil. Then the appropriate trellis system with shoot positioning must be used to maximize the most desirable effects of the sun, turning that precious sunlight into wine.
Beckendorf Liquors, Inc
5005 West Avenue
San Antonio TX 78213
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Beckendorf Liquors, Inc:
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| Belle Glos | 2020 | Pinot Noir | Napa Valley | Eulenloch | 26 (2022) |
| Trois Noix | 2020 | Chardonnay | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | Muir Hanna Vineyard | 25 (2021) |
| Duckhorn Vineyards | 2018 | Merlot | Napa Valley | Three Palms Vineyard Block Selection | 24 (2020) |
| Quilt | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 24 (2020) | |
| Viader Vineyards & Winery | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Block B2 | 24 (2020) |
| Beringer Vineyards | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 23 (2019) | |
| Buena Vista Winery | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Purple Gold | 23 (2019) |
| Freemark Abbey | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | VanZ Vineyard | 23 (2019) |
| Louis M. Martini Winery | 2017 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | Mount Veeder's Share | 23 (2019) |
| Materra, Cunat Family Vineyards | 2017 | Merlot | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | 23 (2019) | |
| PEJU | 2017 | Petit Verdot | Calistoga | Petit Pleasure | 23 (2019) |
| Red Thread Wines and Summit Lake Vineyards and Winery | 2017 | Red Wine | Howell Mountain | 23 (2019) | |
| Starmont Winery & Vineyards | 2017 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Stanly Ranch Estate | 23 (2019) |
| Ancien | 2017 | Chardonnay | Coombsville | Select Old Vines | 22 (2018) |
| Casa Nuestra | 2015 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | 22 (2018) | |
| Jarvis | 2016 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | Frankly Franc | 22 (2018) |
| Kuleto Estate | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 22 (2018) | |
| Merus | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | 22 (2018) | |
| Miner Family Winery | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Three's Company | 22 (2018) |
| Nickel & Nickel | 2016 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | John C. Sullenger Vineyard | 22 (2018) |
| Schermeister Cellars | 2017 | Chardonnay | Atlas Peak | Oak Before Smoke | 22 (2018) |
| Smith Devereux | 2016 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Ibex Reserve Red | 22 (2018) |
| Starmont Winery & Vineyards | 2016 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Stanly Ranch Estate | 22 (2018) |
| Bennett Lane | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | 21 (2017) | |
| Black Stallion Estate Winery | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | Gaspare Single Vineyard | 21 (2017) |
| Burgess Cellars | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Haymaker TKO | 21 (2017) |
| Chimney Rock Winery | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Tomahawk Vineyard Unfiltered | 21 (2017) |
| Kuleto Estate | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 21 (2017) | |
| PEJU | 2015 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Fashionista | 21 (2017) |
| Foley Johnson | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 20 (2016) | |
| Grgich Hills Estate | 2015 | Chardonnay | Los Carneros | 40th Anniversary of The Judgment of Paris Tasting | 20 (2016) |
| St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 20 (2016) | |
| Terlato Family Vineyards | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Estate Blend 715 | 20 (2016) |
| The Hess Collection Winery | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | 20 (2016) | |
| Beringer Vineyards | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 19 (2015) | |
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| Grgich Hills Estate | 2014 | Chardonnay | Napa Valley | Great Chicago Showdown | 19 (2015) |
| Inglenook | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Creek | 19 (2015) |
| Stags’ Leap Winery | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Estate Grown | 19 (2015) |
| Castello di Amorosa | 2012 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 18 (2014) | |
| Louis M. Martini Winery | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 254 Meritage Blend | 18 (2014) |
| Madrigal Family Winery | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 18 (2014) | |
| Paraduxx | 2012 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Premiere Blend | 18 (2014) |
| Sterling Vineyards | 2012 | Red Wine | Calistoga | One Plus Ultra | 18 (2014) |
| Cakebread Cellars | 2012 | Chardonnay | Los Carneros | 17 (2013) | |
| Joseph Phelps Vineyards | 2011 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 17 (2013) | |
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Winery Distribution
Freemark Abbey 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:
- California (Regal Wine Company)
International:
- Australia (Joval)
- Bahamas (Island Hotel)
- Belgium (Vinoscoop)
- Bermuda (Goslings)
- Bulgaria (Bibendum)
- Canada (Summit Fine Wines, LCBO, SAQ)
- Canada - British Columbia (Summit Fine Wines)
- Canada - Ontario (LCBO)
- China (Cofco)
- China (Sky Regal)
- Czech Republic (8Wines)
- Guam (Island Beverages)
- Hong Kong (Fine Vintage)
- Japan (Fwines)
- Luxembourg (n/a)
- Netherlands (Verbunt)
- Philippines (Happy Living)
- Puerto Rico (Fine Wine Imports)
- South Korea (A Young)
- Taiwan (St Finesse)
- United Kingdom (OenoFuture)