Vineyards
Grapes for the Napa Cellars 2019 Pinot Noir were sourced exclusively from premier vineyards in the southern part of Napa Valley, where the San Pablo Bay creates a cool, maritime climate. Morning fog rolls across the vines, ushering in the cool breezes ideal for growing delicate, flavorful Pinot Noir. The vines here produce complex, layered fruit that translates to an earthy minerality and exceptional natural acidity in the glass.
Harvest
The 2019 growing season offered superlative growing conditions with abundant rain at the beginning of the year. Plenty of sunshine and moderate temperatures throughout the spring and summer led up to a harvest with great crop quality.
Winemaking
Once harvested, the grapes were carefully sorted, de-stemmed and gently crushed. During a 7 to 9 day maceration period, délestage—the process of removing the grape seeds and allowing the juice to remain in contact with the skins—was employed. This technique helped to release the aromatic character of the fruit, enhance the color and flavor of the wine, and create soft, round tannins. Following fermentation, the wine was aged in 100% French oak barrels (39% new) for 11 months.
