2014 The Vineyardist

Proprietors Dirk Fulton and Becky Kukkola have made a number of big investments at The Vineyardist, and it shows in these exceptional wines. Fans of the estate will notice a new wine in 2014, the tiny production Cabernet Sauvignon Heritage Ridge. It will be interesting to watch how things unfold in the coming years as new plantings on the estate come online. Mark Herold crafts these distinctive mountain Cabernets, while Phil Coturri looks after the vines. That's about as good a team as one could ask for to tackle the many challenges of mountain viticulture and winemaking.

The Vineyardist is by far one of the most exciting young estates in Napa Valley. Proprietors Dirk Fulton and Becky Kukkola have spared no expense in developing this rugged Diamond Mountain estate. Vineyard guru Phil Coturri tends to the land, while Mark Herold makes the wines, a dynamic duo if there ever was one. A small winery on the property (unusual for a winery of this size) will soon be finished, yet another sign of the total commitment to quality that permeates everything at The Vineyardist. Making hillside wines takes a special level of commitment. For starters, even in the best of years, conditions naturally keep yields low, but mountain vineyards are also much more susceptible to the whims of Mother Nature. In exchange, though, properties like The Vineyardist have the opportunity to make some of the most distinctive wines in Napa Valley.