Wow, this super luscious red wine broods with aromas of dark chocolate, tobacco, crème de menthe, black currant, and blackberry. This crowd-pleaser is intensely satisfying to sip with its dense mouth-filling texture, robust tannic structure, and brilliant balance. We would normally recommend pairing this complex Cabernet with a bold meal such as a Ribeye, but given how tasty it is on its own and the under-the-radar value pricing, make this your new “by the glass” go-to. Drink this over the next decade and decant for 30 minutes for immediate enjoyment. – March 2023

The Winery

In 1983, Nancy and Ray Coursen arrived in California from Cape Cod to fulfill Ray's
dream of making wine and Nancy's taste for adventure. After working harvest at Mt.
Eden Winery in Saratoga, they moved to Napa Valley and became innkeepers for a bed
and breakfast. Ray then spent formative time at Tonella Vineyard Management, where
he gained philosophical perspective and practical knowledge working in the vineyards.
Ray's nine year tenure at Whitehall Lane Winery under the tutelage of Art Finkelstein,
first as a cellar worker and then as head winemaker, honed his skills in the art of
blending and was the inspiration for Ray's winemaking style.

In 1987, Ray and Nancy started the Elyse brand with 286 cases of Zinfandel from the
Morisoli Vineyard , which is still a cornerstone vineyard source for the winery. After a
decade of nomadic winemaking at various custom crush facilities, in 1997 they
purchased a small winery and vineyard on Hoffman Lane, the home of Elyse Winery and
tasting room.

After thirty years of stewardship, Ray and Nancy decided that it was time to retire. What
began as a casual conversation over dinner evolved into the next chapter for Elyse
Winery. In October 2018, Ray and Nancy Coursen sold Elyse Winery to fellow Yountville
locals, Josh Peeples, and his partner, Cheryl. Perfect timing for both parties, the torch
has been passed to continue the same passion for the decades to come.