Offers a luxuriously rich and velvety texture plus an array of gorgeous dark fruit flavors. We are particularly impressed by the approach-ability at such a young stage. The dense tannins remind me of plush cashmere in a glass and lead to full-throttle fruit notes of fresh figs, blackberry compote, and Toblerone chocolate combined with espresso on the blissful finish that lasts one full minute. Savor this magnificent wine now (after decanting) or anytime through 2029.

Heimark Vineyard Winery

This special site is hidden away in a part of the valley that often even locals are not aware of. Perched on extremely rocky hillsides at an elevation of around 1,100 feet are 14 acres of vines – located towards the upper reaches of the narrow, windy and steep at times gated Dutch Henry Canyon Road. The property was purchased in 1997 by Craig and Libby Heimark as a place to retire (although 2+ decades later they have still not retired here). Vines were planted for the first time in 1997 – overseen by Mary Hall Maher and Mike Wolf. Mike and his team continue to oversee the vineyard management. And for 15+ years fruit was sold and the Heimarks made no wine. Tony Soter was one of the earlier buyers and over the years, grapes have been purchased by Arkenstone, Dakota Shy and Lail. In 2018 Arkenstone made the first ever Heimark Vineyard designate. It was Mike Wolf who broached the subject to the Heimarks about making their own wine from the site – referencing all the other premium producers who had been making standout wines from the vineyard. And he introduced them to winemaker Françoise Peschon. 2016 was the first vintage bottled under Heimark Vineyard.

Winemaker Françoise Peschon:
Talented winemaker Françoise Peschon studied enology at the University of California Davis and later apprenticed at Château Haut-Brion in Bordeaux, France. Françoise was the winemaker at the fabled Araujo Estate (Eisele Vineyard) in Napa Valley for fourteen years. She has built a successful 30+ year career in the Napa Valley helping make wine for other notables including Accendo Cellars, Cornell, Vine Hill Ranch, and her own label with friend Lisa Drinkward, Drinkward Peschon. She was already familiar with the Heimark Vineyard while working at Araujo Estate. And in 2019 she was named winemaker of the year by the San Francisco Chronicle.

Viticulturist Mike Wolf: He first came to Napa Valley in 1981 and eventually took a job managing 500 acres for Beckstoffer Vineyards in 1994. He branched out on his own in 1997 and formed Michael Wolf Vineyard Services. Today Mike oversees approximately 500 acres in the Napa Valley and has managed or is managing vineyards for BOND, Harlan Estate, Lewis Cellars, Meteor Vineyards, Scarecrow, and Vineyard 29. And he has also worked with some of the top winemakers in the valley including Celia Welch, Philippe Melka, Bob Levy and Andy Erickson. In 2015, Mike was awarded Grower of the Year by the Napa Grape Growers Association.