Las Piedras is emerging as one of Napa’s premier vineyards for Cabernet. Owned by the pioneering grower Andy Beckstoffer (owner of To Kalon and a host of other top-shelf vineyards in Napa Valley), Las Piedras is located at the foot of Spring Mountain in the St. Helena AVA, between Rutherford and Calistoga. This vineyard has produced some of Napa’s highest scoring Cabernet and is on the hit list for the serious winemakers of Napa Valley. Here’s what you need to know.

Las Piedras has been under vine for the last 150 years, making it among the oldest heritage sites in California. The property was purchased in 1983 by Beckstoffer and was re-planted to Cabernet Sauvignon. While it isn’t public knowledge what Andy Beckstoffer paid for this vineyard, it is immediately obvious why he bought it: the quality of fruit.

The important thing to note is how gravelly this soil is (Las Piedras, in Spanish, means “the pebbles”). Because it is riddled with rocks and large pebbles, the soil is fast draining and creates vines that can produce outstanding fruit even in challenging vintages. Because it is only a 25 acre vineyard (about a quarter the size of To Kalon), the fruit coming from Las Piedras is remarkably consistent across a variety of producers who purchase it. Notes of black cherry, coffee, tobacco leaf, and ultra-fine tannins frequently appear in Las Piedras bottlings.

If To Kalon is out of your price range, consider tracking down some of these outstanding offerings from Las Piedras:

Fait Main

Vice Versa

Paul Hobbs