Saint Helena Winery
2023 Cabernet Franc
"Ancient River Bed"
St. Helena AVA
Auction 29 | Lot No. 153
Vintage: 2023
Saint Helena Winery
Cabernet Franc
St. Helena
5 cases produced
Highlights
- Cabernet Franc grown on the deep gravel ancient riverbed soils of our estate vineyard
- Less than one acre of estate Cabernet Franc farmed by our seasoned crew, led by Lindsey Wallingford
- Winemaker Lindsey Wallingford strives for expression of terroir, including native yeast fermentation
- Organically farmed vineyard produces small canopy, light clusters of intense, concentrated berries
Description
Our small estate vineyard sits in the heart of a historical Napa Valley winemaking region, Saint Helena. Ancient riverbed soils create stress for vines, yielding small crop of intensely-flavored fruit. Thirteen planted acres, less than one of Cabernet Franc, are all farmed organically by our longtime estate crew family. Our vineyard is teeming with biodiversity in both flora and fauna, indicating a healthy ecosystem for our vines, people and place.
Wine Facts
- Single vineyard wine
- Sustainably produced
- Organically produced (also commonly called "organically grown")
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
Lindsey Wallingford
Winemaker, Saint Helena Winery
As both Winemaker and Vineyard Manager, Lindsey Wallingford embodies the belief that the best wines are made in the vineyard. In this dual role, Lindsey works alongside the winery’s in-house vineyard team, guiding the farming of the estate’s 14 individual blocks. In the winery, she applies her talents to single clone fermentations each harvest, to ultimately create three different Cabernet Sauvignons from the property and to ensure that each wine reflects the Estate and the age-worthy style of Saint Helena Winery.
Lindsey began her career studying and working in vineyards of Washington State before she could even legally drink. She laughs when she thinks about the times her supervisors would help her purchase bottles of wine so she could become familiar with the effects of “terroir”. Since then, Lindsey has worked in the wine regions of Australia, New Zealand, Oregon, and across California. Before joining the team in 2018, Lindsey worked for Napa Valley’s Screaming Eagle and Bryant Family Vineyard.
Lindsey is dedicated to the land, and bringing out the best of the property. Through organic farming practices, minimizing tillage, and introducing honey bees, Lindsey and Saint Helena Winery are continuously striving to leave the land better than it was found.
Country born: United States
Education: BS Viticulture & Enology, Washington State University.
Business Fundamentals Series, UC Davis Graduate School of Management.
Mentors: Bob Gallagher, Nick Gislason, Mark Griffin
Years in the wine industry: 15-20 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
My philosophy is the often heard expression that the best wine is made in the vineyard. I believe the winemaker's mission is to express the best aspects of each property with the most minimal intervention. Having the additional title of Vineyard Manager with an in-house crew truly allows us the opportunity to thoughtfully create the wines throughout the entire growing season.
Aaron Pott
Winemaker, Saint Helena Winery
Pott took the position of Assistant Winemaker at Newton Vineyard where he worked with John Kongsgaard and Michel Rolland. Pott tried to convince Rolland to find him a job in France pulling hoses around a dark cellar and working on his language skills. Rolland soon sent word that he had found the ideal position, Winemaker at Chateau Troplong Mondot, Premier Grand Cru Classe, St. Emilion. Pott would thereafter become Winemaker and General Manager of Chateau La Tour Figeac Grand Cru Classe, St. Emilion.
Pott worked for nearly six years making wine in France before returning to the States to take a position with Beringer Wine Estates as the Winemaker for the company's international brands in France, Italy and South America. Pott's duties expanded in 2001 as winemaker at St. Clement in St. Helena. In 2004, he accepted the position as Winemaker and General Manager at Quintessa. In 2007, Pott formed Huis Clos Wines and is dedicated to consulting for a limited quantity of notable producers and producing his own wine, Pott Wine.
Country born: United States
Education: Aaron studied Fermentation Science Enology at the University of California, Davis. He completed his education with a masters degree in Viticulture from the University de Bourgogne in Dijon, France.
Years in the wine industry: 30+ years
Winemaking Philosophy:
Aaron believes wines should reflect the terroir of their origin, as well as the art and character of the people behind them.
Winery Distribution
Saint Helena Winery 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 (Oak and Steel Wines)
- California (Direct from winery)
- Florida (DiBacco Imports and Distributing)
- Minnesota (Johnson Brothers)
- New York (Lieber Fine Wines)