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Snowden Vineyards
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Oral history speaks of great red vintages prior to Prohibition: ripe fruit with high acids, low pH, and rich varietal character. There is no exact record of the original extent of the vineyards at the Snowden Estate. However, there are several places in what are now deep woods where the hill rows of forgotten vineyards and orchards can be seen among massive tree trunks. From what we can tell, vineyards were first planted on our property in the late nineteenth century. Prohibition resulted in most Napa Valley vineyards being replanted to "traveling" varieties of grapes that were durable enough to be shipped to other parts of the country, where people would make them into wine in their homes. At our property, the vineyards moved from Zinfandel to Palomino, Petit Sirah, and Carignane. Also, the orchards were expanded -- particularly prunes. We have been told that prior owners operated a small, outdoor distillery near the old house pictured above at the west end of the property. When Wayne and Virginia Snowden acquired the property in 1955, there were fewer than 7 acres of vineyard, together with some 6 acres of prunes, walnuts, plums, and peaches. The grapes were sold to local cooperative wineries, where they went into the two great cuvees of the day: mixed white and mixed black. The Snowdens began to expand the vineyards in 1962. Cabernet Sauvignon was first planted on the property at that time, using cuttings from the Fay vineyard in what would later become the Stags Leap District. The new plantings were "dry farmed," except for a small amount of water transported up the hill for the young vines in garbage cans tied into the back seat of a 1952 Oldsmobile two door convertible. Wayne Snowden died in 1977 and grape production was minimal for the next few years. Scott and Randy Snowden-Wayne and Virginia's son's-assumed responsibility for the vineyards in 1981. At that time, we removed all of the then-producing vineyards and orchards and replanted them to Cabernet Sauvignon. That vineyard is now called "The Brothers Vineyard" and was the first to acquire budwood from the new Jordan vineyard near Healdsburg. For almost a decade, all of our grapes were sold to Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. During that period, we worked closely with Warren Winiarski, owner of Stag's Leap, and his viticultural consultant, Danny Schuester, on the trellising, training, and cropping of the vineyard, tracking cultural variables and correlating these to wine quality. During this time, we began working with John Gibson, who was Warren's associate winemaker. We produced our first vintage of Snowden in 1993. John, who had been working with our fruit since our vineyard was replanted, became our winemaker. He has since moved on from Stags Leap Wine Cellars and is now an independent winemaking consultant. During the ensuing ten years, we continued to sell a portion of our grapes to our friends at Silver Oak Wine Cellars, Frank Family Vineyard, and Viader. Commencing in 2003, we retai
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Lost Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2001 Lost Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a softer expression of our Estate Vineyard. In the great tradition of Bordeaux second wines, the Lost Vineyard delivers incredible quality and value for a vineyard designated Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. This classic wine has a rich core of cassis, ripe cherry and cocoa with aromas of beautiful fresh-turned earth, tobacco, leather, vanilla and cinnamon spice from a thoughtful use of new French and American oak. This is an extremely well made Cabernet that is open and very approachable now and will continue to develop in the bottle for another five to eight years.
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Lost Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Our second wine, Lost Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is made in a “California” style, with a blend of American and French oak. This wine tends to be ready for the table sooner. Stylistically it is “fruit forward” and soft on the pallet. Upon decanting, this wine shows a vibrant, aromatic character.
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Snowden Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2001 Snowden Cabernet Sauvignon shows all of the classic full, ripe qualities that the Napa Valley offers, refined by the influence of the wines of Bordeaux.
Penetrating aromas begin immediately with a prominent presence of black currant, graphite, hints of red earth and impressively intertwined undertones of espresso from the discerning use of French barrels. Its core of fruit is lacy and balanced while still being expressive, chewy and ripe. The wine is firmly structured on the mid-palate, then glides into a long finish that is accented with coriander, nutmeg and pepper. A knowledgable friend describes this wine as “a top Middleweight boxer who can move and packs a powerful punch.” We recommend decanting for an hour or two before serving. This wine is accessible now but will continue to improve in the bottle for 8 to 12 years.
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Snowden Cabernet Sauvignon
Snowden Cabernet Sauvignon is made in a classic Bordeaux style. Produced entirely from our vineyards, Snowden is characterized by balance and consistency with blends of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Snowden is barrel aged in tight grain oak barrels from the northern forests of France.
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Snowden Sauvignon Blanc
Snowden Sauvignon Blanc is what the French refer to as a "village" wine. We purchased grapes from Randy Mason this year and made the wine with a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, and Semillon. The wine was aged in second year barrels, it is supple, lush and floral.
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