Crafted using grapes from a handful of the finest vineyards on the Central Coast, this alluring wine offers lovely aromatics, soft, velvety tannins, and vibrant fruit. On the palate, layers of Bing cherry, wild strawberry, and sassafras are underscored by hints of white pepper and baking spices that add nuance and complexity to a long, lush finish.
About Calera
In the world of fine wine, Josh Jensen will always be a legend. An innovator and a pioneer, Josh was named the San Francisco Chronicle’s “Winemaker of the Year,” honored as a “Rockstar of Wine” at World of Pinot Noir, and has graced the cover of Wine Spectator. More than just being universally respected by his peers, Josh played a pivotal role in establishing Pinot Noir as one of North America’s great varietal wines. In doing so, he also built Calera into one of the world’s most revered wineries. Beloved by connoisseurs, Calera has been honored by Wine & Spirits as one of the “Top 100 Wineries in the World” four times, with Robert Parker calling Calera “California’s Romanée-Conti.”
About Duckhorn
Co-founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in 1976, Duckhorn Vineyards has spent forty years establishing itself as one of North America’s premier producers of Napa Valley wines. From its modest inaugural vintage of 800 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon and 800 cases of Merlot in 1978, to its addition of Sauvignon Blanc in 1982, Duckhorn Vineyards has crafted a tradition of quality and excellence that continues today.
1976 Dan and Margaret Duckhorn found Duckhorn Vineyards, which becomes one of the first 40 Napa Valley wineries. They also purchase our original 10-acre property in beautiful St. Helena. Named Marlee’s Vineyard, after Margaret, this idyllic property will later become home to the beautiful Duckhorn Vineyards Estate House.
1978 Guided by Dan, Margaret and our renowned founding winemaker Tom Rinaldi, Duckhorn Vineyards celebrates our inaugural harvest of Merlot from the now-legendary Three Palms Vineyard and Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag’s Leap District and Howell Mountain. Our first harvest yields 800 cases of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and 800 cases of Three Palms Vineyard Merlot.
1979 Building on our role as the first American winery to pioneer luxury Merlot, we make our debut vintage of Napa Valley Merlot. This iconic wine plays a key role in establishing Merlot as one of North America’s great varietals.
1981 Alex Ryan begins working at Duckhorn Vineyards during summer vacations from high school. After university, Alex joins the winery fulltime and comes up through the ranks in the vineyards and production before ultimately becoming CEO and president.
1982 Building on Dan and Margaret’s early passion for Bordeaux-varietal wines, and their desire to make an elegant and enticing white wine, Duckhorn Vineyards produces our first vintage of Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc using grapes from Marlee’s Vineyard, and a handful of other top winegrowing sites.
1999 After 20 years of only being open for by-appointment tastings, we break ground on our Duckhorn Vineyards Estate House and Tasting Room adjacent to Marlee’s Vineyard in St. Helena.2001 We unveil our stunning new Duckhorn Vineyards Estate House. With a beautiful setting of vineyard and garden views, the site is ideal for pioneering an intimate and sophisticated sit-down wine tasting experience that quickly sets the standard for wine country hospitality.
2003 Renée Ary joins the Duckhorn Vineyards team under then winemaker, Mark Beringer. Throughout her first decade at Duckhorn Vineyards, Renée learns every detail of production moving from lab manager to enologist to assistant winemaker to associate winemaker in charge of Duckhorn’s Sauvignon Blanc and Monitor Ledge Vineyard wines.
2006 Duckhorn Vineyards crafts its debut vintage of The Discussion. Embodying the depth and complexity of our world-renowned Estate program, The Discussion represents the pinnacle of the Duckhorn Vineyards portfolio and our belief in the timeless union of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
2012 Building on our rich history working with the finest Napa Valley vineyards, we produce our debut vintage of Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Chardonnay. In the cellar, we apply classic techniques of French oak barrel fermentation with lees stirring, resulting in a Chardonnay that balances the complexity and richness of Napa Valley.
2014 After more than a decade of mastering the Duckhorn Vineyards style, Renée Ary is named the fourth winemaker in the four-decade history of Duckhorn Vineyards. In the years to follow, Renée is recognized for making some of the finest wines in the history of Duckhorn Vineyards.
2015 After four decades of working with its sought-after fruit, we acquire Three Palms Vineyard. Widely recognized as the finest Merlot vineyard in North America, Three Palms becomes the crown jewel of our Estate program.
2017 Duckhorn Vineyards celebrates the milestone of our 40th harvest in Napa Valley with an array of events, and a special 40th Anniversary Harvest logo adorning all 2017 vintage Duckhorn Vineyards wines.
