Buena Vista Winery
2023 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Vinicultural Society"
St. Helena AVA
Auction 29 | Lot No. 51
Vintage: 2023
Buena Vista Winery
Cabernet Sauvignon
St. Helena
10 cases produced
Highlights
- Founded in 1857, Buena Vista is California's first premium winery with a rich, vibrant legacy
- The Count of Buena Vista, a visionary pioneer, is hailed as the Father of California Viticulture
- This 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon honors Napa’s trailblazers with grapes from St. Helena’s Founders Ranch
- Aging 20 months in French oak, it offers a plush mouthfeel, dark fruit notes and fine-grained tannins
Description
Buena Vista Winery, established in 1857, boasts an unmatched legacy as California's first premium winery, celebrated for its vibrant history and groundbreaking achievements. Its founder, the self-proclaimed Count of Buena Vista, was a visionary farmer, inventive vintner, accomplished author, savvy entrepreneur and passionate promoter. Revered as the Father of California Viticulture, the Count introduced transformative innovations to winemaking in the 19th century. In 1863, he founded the Buena Vista Vinicultural Society, the state’s first public wine corporation, to finance winery operations. While he departed the winery in 1866 after declaring bankruptcy, his pioneering influence extended into Napa Valley, shaping the foundation of its enduring winemaking traditions.
The 2023 exclusive Cabernet Sauvignon, limited to just ten cases, honors this legacy. The grapes are sourced from Founder’s Ranch, a storied vineyard in the heart of St. Helena, an appellation with a history paralleling the Count’s legacy. In 1875, inspired by his groundbreaking work, a coalition of vintners formed the St. Helena Viticultural Club to craft world-class wines and identify ideal varietals suited to Napa Valley's premier terroirs.
This wine pays tribute to the Count and the founders of the St. Helena appellation, whose pioneering spirit established Napa Valley’s global acclaim for Cabernet Sauvignon. Aging for 20 months in new French oak barrels, this elegant wine delivers a soft, plush mouthfeel with dark fruit flavors and fine-grained tannins.
Brian Maloney
Winemaker, Buena Vista Winery
Brian Maloney was born on his family’s historic ranch in the Petaluma Gap straddling the Marin and Sonoma County border.
Inspired by his grandmother’s stories of her father’s struggles growing grapes and making wine in the Calistoga area before, during and after Prohibition, he enrolled in the world-famous Viticulture and Enology program at the University of California, Davis. Following graduation he worked the harvest of 2003 at DeLoach Vineyards and has remained there ever since, playing a key role in elevating the winery’s Pinot Noir pedigree, expanding its vineyard-designate program, and planting and establishing its Biodynamic estate vineyard.
Starting in 2011, Brian has expanded his responsibilities to include overseeing the rebirth of the legendary Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma. In 2012, his team was the first to make wine in the historic Champagne cellars in over 30 years, a celebration that was punctuated by the joining of Tokaji and Sonoma as Sister Cities on the first day of harvest for the reopened cellars.
Country born: United States
Education: UC Davis Viticulture and Enology Program, Mentor David Ramey
Years in the wine industry: 15-20 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
With generations of farming and winemaking in his background, Brian has always taken to letting the terroir show first. Whether with cool climate Pinot Noir or mountain top Cabernet, his ultimate goal is to let the interaction between the site, the vine and the grower shine through to set the style of the wines.
Dover Hall
Dover Hall 1500 Manakin Road
Manakin-Sabot VA 23103
804-784-6051
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Dover Hall:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buena Vista Winery | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Vinicultural Society | 29 (2025) |
| Farella Vineyard | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | Upper Terrace | 29 (2025) |
| Jean Edwards Cellars | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 29 (2025) | |
| Oleandri Wines | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Vero Oleandri | 29 (2025) |
| Priest Ranch | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 29 (2025) | |
| Reynolds Family Winery, Caldwell Vineyard | 2023 | Marselan | Coombsville | RFC | 29 (2025) |
| Teaderman Vineyards | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 29 (2025) | |
| Truchard Vineyards | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Los Carneros | Cave Block | 29 (2025) |
| Quilt | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 28 (2024) | |
| Beaulieu Vineyard | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Peaks & Valleys | 27 (2023) |
| Detert Family Vineyards | 2021 | Cabernet Franc | Oakville | East Block Old Vines | 27 (2023) |
| Heitz Cellar | 2021 | Merlot | St. Helena | SVV | 27 (2023) |
| Louis M. Martini Winery | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 27 (2023) | |
| Newton Vineyard | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | 27 (2023) | |
| Raymond Vineyards | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Awakening | 27 (2023) |
| Tamber Bey | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 27 (2023) | |
| Canard Vineyard and Reynolds Family Winery | 2020 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | Depth Charge | 26 (2022) |
| Davies Vineyards | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | Tres Bloques | 26 (2022) |
| Diamond Mountain Vineyard | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | SIngle Block | 26 (2022) |
| Grieve Family Winery | 2020 | Sauvignon Blanc | Napa Valley | Grieve Family Winery | 26 (2022) |
| HALL | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | Rainin Vineyard | 26 (2022) |
| Miner Family Winery | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Best of the Napa Valley | 26 (2022) |
| PEJU | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | The Main Event, Part Deux | 26 (2022) |
| Raymond Vineyards | 2017 | Sparkling Wine | Napa Valley | Late Disgorged | 26 (2022) |
| Chimney Rock Winery | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | An Ode to AJT Part II | 25 (2021) |
| Davies Vineyards | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | Aguirre/Lower McEachran Blocks | 25 (2021) |
| Grgich Hills Estate | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | Paradise Block Old Vine Cabernet | 25 (2021) |
| Grieve Family Winery | 2019 | Sauvignon Blanc | Napa Valley | 25 (2021) | |
| Mt. Veeder Winery | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | Estate Blend | 25 (2021) |
| O'Shaughnessy Estate Winery | 2019 | Malbec | Howell Mountain | 25 (2021) | |
| PATEL - Napa Valley | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | 25 (2021) | |
| Quintessa | 2019 | Carmenere | Rutherford | Lost Variety Red Wine Blend | 25 (2021) |
| Freedom Estate | 2018 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 24 (2020) |
Winery Distribution
Buena Vista 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.
International:
- Belgium (Rouseau)
- Canada (FMW)
- Denmark (Phillipson Wine)
- France (Boisset Family )
- India (SOHO WINE )
- Ireland (COMENS)
- Japan (Asahi Beer)
- Netherlands (Boomsma Distilleerderij)
- Philippines (Happy Living)
- Puerto Rico (B.Fernandez)
- Russia (AST)
- Singapore (Alfa International)
- South Korea (Winera)
- Sweden (Giertz Vinimport)
- Thailand (Bangkok Liquor)
- United Kingdom (Berkmann)