NVL winemaker spotlight
Photos courtesy of Diamond Mountain Vineyard
Diamond Mountain Vineyard:
A JOURNEY to the TOP BY FRAN MILLER
D
iamond Mountain Vineyard, under the stewardship of veteran winemaker Kevin Vecchiarelli and consulting winemaker Paul Hobbs, conveys the essence of this historic property which dates back to 1895. Situated high atop the summit for which it is named, Diamond Mountain Vineyard and its celebrated winemaking team produce estate-grown, single varietal wines that continue to push the boundaries for what Napa Valley mountain wines can be. The property is one of the most exclusive in the valley, featuring a Howard Backendesigned estate with the most spectacular view of Mount St. Helena. Wine collectors seeking a luxury experience with a chance to taste limited production wines available exclusively by allocation are lucky enough to garner access. A visit allows for a front-row seat to the heart of Vecchiarelli's viticulture - a mesmerizing experience that parallels the wines. Stradling the Sonoma and Napa county line, the estate is planted to 45 acres of vineyards reaching a 2200 ft. elevation peak. Its location high above the fog line with extremely well-drained soils has many advantages, including optimal morning sun
and a longer, cooler growing season resulting in bold, concentrated mountain fruit. The rich volcanic soil and a unique microclimate produce Bordeaux-style wines that are powerful yet elegant, with the ability to age gracefully for many years. With an annual production of 1500 cases, Vecchiarelli showcases the unique characteristics of each vineyard block, producing wines from Syrah to single varietal Bordeaux. He is introducing several new wines into their portfolio, such as a Hyde clone Chardonnay and Provence-style pressed Syrah Rosé. Vecchiarelli also creates special bottlings for their loyal collectors, such as a soon-to-be-released Reserve and Single Block Cabernet Sauvignon. Vecchiarelli is aware of the property's unique nature and its ability to produce outstanding fruit and thus outstanding wines. While pursuing his degree in biochemistry, he was recognized by Stag's Leap Wine Cellars for his research of umami compounds in wine and soon after joined their team. He
later joined Grgich Hills Estate for nearly two decades of winemaking when an opportunity with Cirq/Browne Family wines led him to Sonoma County. After a short time as associate winemaker with Michael Browne, Kevin returned to Napa Valley as the winemaker/general manager of revered Diamond Mountain Vineyard. Vecchiarelli appreciates the support and freedom afforded him by Diamond Mountain Vineyard owners Aries Liu and Sai You. With consulting help from Hobbs and the incredible quality of fruit coming out of the estate vineyards, he feels that he has never made better wine. “With just the right amount of stress from the vineyard, just enough barrel to balance structure, and a healthy dose of common sense, I simply make the best wine that I can with a sense of artistry and place,” said Vecchiarelli. “Our vineyard provides everything one could expect and desire of mountain fruit. I just make sure all the details are met.” FOR MORE INFORMATION
constantwine.com
SPRING 2021
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