Gamble Family Vineyards
2023 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Family Home Vineyard Northwest Block"
Oakville AVA
Auction 29 | Lot No. 150
Vintage: 2023
Gamble Family Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon
Oakville
5 cases produced
Highlights
- Gamble’s oldest vineyard, planted in 1997 with Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 337; rocky, volcanic soils
- Free run juice, barrel aging for 20 months in 50% new French oak
- Organically and regeneratively grown, virtually dry-farmed, unfiltered 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
- First wine made grape-to-glass by Atelier Melka; Phillipe is a longtime buyer of Gamble grapes
Description
The 1.28-acre Northwest block is part of the 4.12-acre Family Home Vineyard, which surrounds the home where Tom Gamble grew up. Planting this block, the oldest in Gamble Estates, marked a pivotal moment in Tom’s winemaking journey. Although he planted his first vineyard in 1981 while still a student at UC Davis, it wasn’t until 1997, when he joined his stepfather to plant this Oakville vineyard block, that he was inspired to fully commit to grape growing and winemaking. An early adopter of high-density planting, Tom’s “small vine” approach results in low-yielding, resilient vines that can withstand extreme weather conditions. The vineyard’s young, volcanic soils, strewn with rough, football-sized stones, provide excellent drainage. These conditions encourage deep root systems, allowing the vineyard to be virtually dry farmed, which contributes to producing complex, velvety wines with dark fruit flavors, deeply reflective of the area’s distinctive terroir. Organically farmed and unfiltered, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, made in collaboration with Philippe Melka and Maayan Koschitzky, is the first Gamble red wine that Atelier Melka has made from grape to glass. Philippe first purchased grapes from Tom in the early 2000s and remains one of the longest-standing buyers of grapes from Gamble Family Vineyards.
Wine Facts
- Wine is unfiltered
- Single vineyard wine
- Sustainably produced
- Organically produced (also commonly called "organically grown")
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
Tom Gamble
Winemaker, Gamble Family Vineyards
Tom Gamble, a third-generation Napa Valley farmer, traces his family's agricultural roots back to 1916. In 1981, while at UC Davis, Tom purchased his first vineyard, becoming the first in his family to grow wine grapes commercially. Bottling the first wine under his family’s name in 2005, he now cultivates 175 acres in Napa's renowned AVAs, including Oakville, Mount Veeder, Rutherford, and Yountville.
Combining his family's deep connection to the land with regenerative farming practices, Tom was an early adopter of high-density vine planting. His contribution to environmental stewardship includes leadership in the Napa Green Program and the Napa River Restoration Project. Today, in collaboration with Atelier Melka, Tom elevates Gamble Estates' wines, focusing on precision, balance, and the distinct character of his Napa Valley vineyards.
Country born: United States
Years in the wine industry: 30+ years
Philippe Melka
Winemaker, Gamble Family Vineyards
Philippe Melka has been a defining figure in Napa Valley winemaking for over two decades, recognized as one of the region’s most trusted and influential consultants. Philippe’s journey began in Bordeaux, where he trained under legendary mentors such as Jean Delmas and Jean Philippe Masclef of Haut-Brion, Christian Moueix and Jean Claude Berrouet of Pétrus, and global winemaking expert Michel Rolland. In California, he further refined his skills with Paul Draper of Ridge and Daniel Baron of Silver Oak, deepening his understanding of Napa Valley’s distinctive terroirs.
As the founder of Atelier Melka, Philippe has guided the creation of numerous critically acclaimed wines that reflect his mastery of grape varieties, vineyard expression, and the art of winemaking. His partnership with Gamble Estates began in the early 2000s, when he became one of Tom Gamble’s earliest grape buyers. Today, he brings his expertise to wines that reflect Gamble’s heritage of thoughtful farming and respect for the land.
Country born: France
Years in the wine industry: 30+ years
Maayan Koschitzky
Winemaker, Gamble Family Vineyards
Maayan Koschitzky is the Director of Winemaking at Atelier Melka, where he leads the production of some of Napa Valley’s most respected wines. Known for his technical expertise and meticulous, hands-on approach, Maayan’s work reflects a deep commitment to quality at every stage of the winemaking process.
Maayan’s journey began in Israel at the Golan Heights Winery, where he developed a strong foundation in winemaking and viticulture. Seeking to expand his knowledge, he trained at Bordeaux’s renowned Château Haut-Brion and Château Léoville Poyferré, learning heritage-inspired techniques that continue to inspire his craft.
After moving to Napa Valley, Maayan joined the team at Screaming Eagle, where he refined his approach to creating wines of exceptional precision and balance. Today, his expertise and collaborative spirit are integral to Gamble Estates, where he focuses on translating the distinctive character of each vineyard into wines that reflect both place and purpose.
Country born: Israel
Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years
Winery Distribution
Gamble 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.
Domestic:
- Arizona (Breakthru)
- California (Gravitas)
- Colorado (Vin Market)
- District of Columbia (Hop & Wine)
- Florida (DiBacco Importing)
- Georgia (Ultimate Distributing)
- Illinois (Elevage Wines)
- Indiana (Crossroad Vintners)
- Iowa (Okoboji Wines)
- Kansas (Handcrafted Wines & Spirits)
- Kentucky (Heidelberg Distributing)
- Michigan (Eagle Eye Brands)
- Mississippi (RNDC)
- Nebraska (Hand Crafted Wines & Spirits)
- Nevada (Tavern Craft)
- New York (Vinaio Imports)
- Ohio (Heidelberg/Wine Trends)
- Oklahoma (Premium Brands)
- Pennsylvania (Grapes to Glass)
- South Dakota (Okoboji Wines)
- Tennessee (Athens Distributing)
- Tennessee (Knoxville Beverage)
- Tennessee (Ajax Turner)
- Texas (Serendipity Wines)
- Utah (Vin 7000)
- Virginia (Hop & Wine)
- Wisconsin (M Shiraz)
International:
- Canada - Ontario (The Case for Wine)
- Japan (90Plus Wine Club)
- Japan (Cal-Diva)
- South Korea (Cave de Vin Co., LTD.)