WHEN OUR PARENT COMPANY, Codorniu, bought the Oak Mountain property in 1999, it was with the purpose of growing California’s best wine grapes – an attainable goal, given the extraordinary terroir of the 90 acres now planted with vines. Over the years, as this unique vineyard high above the Alexander Valley floor began to mature, it became clear that this vineyard is an on-going study in the grape varietal Cabernet Sauvignon. Six unique hillside vineyard blocks, all with different soils and elevations (up to 1700 feet), are planted with primarily Cabernet Sauvignon. Although each of the six vineyards – and the blocks within them – is unique, the general amalgam of microclimate, soil-type and slope encourages the development of intense varietal flavor. While summer daytime temperatures are hot enough to suit heat-loving red grapes, the rapid cooling effect of evening fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean protects flavor-boosting acidity as they ripen. The slope helps to provide good drainage for the clay loam soils, and with vines having to root down deep in the gravelly earth for moisture, quantity production of fruit is kept in check. Instead, quality becomes key; each vine reserves its remaining vigor for the ripening of fewer grape clusters, which make for marvelously concentrated flavors.
