Keeping the Spirit Alive
We are dedicated to bringing Liparita back to the luster of its glory days, by creating wine in the same spirit and with the careful attention to detail that embodied the award-winning wines of its thriving past.
There are currently 16 sub-appellations, or American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in Napa Valley. We search only for the highest quality vineyards that most purely represent Cabernet Sauvignon with the unique characteristics of their AVA. Currently we feature wines from the Yountville and Stag’s Leap AVAs.
Rollover the highlighted appellations below to read more about the soil, climate and characteristics of those and our other source regions:
We are dedicated to bringing Liparita back to the luster of its glory days, by creating wine in the same spirit and with the careful attention to detail that embodied the award-winning wines of its thriving past.
For this vintage, and for vintages to come, we are dedicated to seeking out the best fruit from within the 16 different sub-appellations of Napa Valley allowing us to truly showcase how pure, appellation specific Cabernet should be expressed.
We are incredibly proud of our modern vintages; reminiscent of the way Liparita was produced in the past, our releases consists of two small production, appellation specific, 100% pure Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
Creating evenly balanced wines that convey Cabernet Sauvignon’s full potential is an intricate process that requires attention to detail and a willingness to keep production at a minimum. We believe in quality, not quantity and that incredible Napa Cabernet should be attainable by all who share our passion and recognize value.
Liparita is currently focused on creating Cabernets that express an 100% pure expression of fruit sourced from the Yountville appellation.
This may change in the future, based purely on what best serves this noble varietal. So in vintages to come, we remain dedicated to seeking out the best fruit from within the 16 different sub-appellations of Napa Valley allowing us to truly showcase how pure, appellation specific Cabernet should be expressed. Please come back and visit us here in the future to see what’s in store!
Liparita is currently focused on creating Cabernets that express an 100% pure expression of fruit sourced from the Yountville appellation.
This may change in the future, based purely on what best serves this noble varietal. So in vintages to come, we remain dedicated to seeking out the best fruit from within the 16 different sub-appellations of Napa Valley allowing us to truly showcase how pure, appellation specific Cabernet should be expressed. Please come back and visit us here in the future to see what’s in store!
The AVA is made up of alluvial soils that have come down the canyons from the mountains on each side of the valley. The area west of Highway 29 is known as the “Rutherford Bench.” This bench land is sedimentary gravelly-sandy soil with good water retention and moderate fertility. The eastern side of Highway 29 generally has sedimentary volcanic soils that are moderately deep and more fertile. Both are stellar locations for vineyards.
The mixture of cool mornings and evenings, due to its proximity to the San Francisco Bay, and warm sunny days of the area’s Mediterranean climate ripen the grapes fully and easily. Due to being slightly farther from the bay and at a narrower point in the Napa Valley, the area is slightly warmer than Oakville or Stags Leap.
Rutherford red wines are typically rich, medium to full bodied with quite intense cherry and mineral—almost earthy—aromas. Their supple, elegant tannins make the wine ready to drink early on, but some can age to 30 years, and several even longer.
Liparita is currently focused on creating Cabernets that express an 100% pure expression of fruit sourced from the Yountville appellation.
This may change in the future, based purely on what best serves this noble varietal. So in vintages to come, we remain dedicated to seeking out the best fruit from within the 16 different sub-appellations of Napa Valley allowing us to truly showcase how pure, appellation specific Cabernet should be expressed. Please come back and visit us here in the future to see what’s in store!
Liparita is currently focused on creating Cabernets that express an 100% pure expression of fruit sourced from the Yountville appellation.
This may change in the future, based purely on what best serves this noble varietal. So in vintages to come, we remain dedicated to seeking out the best fruit from within the 16 different sub-appellations of Napa Valley allowing us to truly showcase how pure, appellation specific Cabernet should be expressed. Please come back and visit us here in the future to see what’s in store!
One of the most recent appellations to gain AVA status, Yountville offers an extremely unique combination of distinctive soil characteristics within the appellation’s boundary. Indeed, the soils and climates are a patchwork combination described by many as a combination of all that is possible in the Napa Valley. Volcanic soils on the eastern flank are similar to the neighboring Stag’s Leap District, but also feature centuries old coastal deposits. Both sedimentary and alluvial soils exist to the west, interspersed with sandy and gravelly loam, as well as a little clay. No other area on all of the Napa Valley boasts this particular geomorphic combination and pronounced soil differences.
Cool marine air currents from San Pablo Bay to the south are trapped when they reach what are known as the Yountville Mounts, keeping natural “air conditioning” working even on the warmest summer days. The mornings are cool and the afternoons are far more comfortable than further up valley. Mid-summer peak temperatures may reach 90 degrees, with noticeable diurnal fluctuation to the mid-50 degree range. These milder temperatures allow the grapes of the region plenty of time to develop unique flavor characteristics and capture the distinctive characteristics of the local terroir.
Yountville Cabernets are more subtle and gentle than cabernets from warmer AVAs. Wines produced from Yountville fruit are elegant and balanced; neither fruit bombs nor tannic monsters. Acidity levels are also very good, which yields highly harmonious wines.
Liparita is currently focused on creating Cabernets that express an 100% pure expression of fruit sourced from the Yountville appellation.
This may change in the future, based purely on what best serves this noble varietal. So in vintages to come, we remain dedicated to seeking out the best fruit from within the 16 different sub-appellations of Napa Valley allowing us to truly showcase how pure, appellation specific Cabernet should be expressed. Please come back and visit us here in the future to see what’s in store!
The soils of the Oakville district are primarily comprised of decomposed rock that has been carried downhill from the eastern Vaca range and the western Mayacamas range. At the base of the valley, the rock intermingles with the silt and gravel deposits of the Napa River flood plain. Comprised of fine clay, sand and other types of disintegrated rock, these sedimentary clay and bale loams spill out across the Oakville district creating a subtle slope of less than two degrees down to the Napa River plain. This gentle slope allows excess rainfall to flow into the Napa River from the western side of the valley.
The cool northern reaches of the San Francisco Bay and the warmer inland air of California’s central San Joaquin Valley combine to provide the temperate Mediterranean climate in Oakville. The gentle tug of war between these cooling and heating influences create the daily weather patterns that make Oakville an ideal place to grow grapes. Oakville receives regular morning fog from the San Pablo Bay, which slows the warming early in the day. But after the fog blows off in mid-morning, Oakville receives the full benefit of Napa Valley’s afternoon sun. When temperatures begin to peak, the bay blows cool breezes north to Oakville which begins the cooling cycle of night that preserves the color and acidity of the grapes.
Ideally, ripe Cabernet is identified by its signature black currant fruit and little or no vegetal bell pepper flavor. Growing Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that reflect the variety’s luscious black fruit flavors without unpleasant vegetal notes is impossible in some places and difficult in most others but in Oakville this is achieved year after year, reliably and consistently.
Volcanic eruptions that took place millions of years ago along with the slow erosion of the Vaca Mountains create the soil on the eastern elevation of the Stags Leap District. In the lowland area, where a much broader Napa River once ran, old river sediments have created a remarkable blend of loams with a clay-like substructure. These gravely soils are coarser and retain less water resulting in low-vigor vines that yield fruit of great intensity and flavor.
The rock facades of the palisades reflect the heat of the sun onto the vineyards below, causing temperatures to rise more quickly than in neighboring vineyards. As afternoon draws to a close, the hills funnel the cool, marine air flowing north from the San Pablo Bay through the Stags Leap District corridor. The cooling effect of this breeze, coupled with crisp air from the surrounding mountains and hills, results in lower nighttime temperatures. This allows the grapes to achieve an excellent balance of acid and sugar and also minimizes the threat of frost. The end result is a longer growing season,perfect for late-maturing varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cabernet Sauvignon grown in the Stags Leap District is distinguished by lush, velvety textures coupled with fine red berry aromas. While having concentrated flavors, wines from this region are accessible early due to the area’s signature smooth tannin structure; a structure that also allows for an extended cellar life. Cabernets from this region are often described as being like an iron fist in a velvet glove.
Liparita is currently focused on creating Cabernets that express an 100% pure expression of fruit sourced from the Yountville appellation.
This may change in the future, based purely on what best serves this noble varietal. So in vintages to come, we remain dedicated to seeking out the best fruit from within the 16 different sub-appellations of Napa Valley allowing us to truly showcase how pure, appellation specific Cabernet should be expressed. Please come back and visit us here in the future to see what’s in store!
Liparita is currently focused on creating Cabernets that express an 100% pure expression of fruit sourced from the Yountville appellation.
This may change in the future, based purely on what best serves this noble varietal. So in vintages to come, we remain dedicated to seeking out the best fruit from within the 16 different sub-appellations of Napa Valley allowing us to truly showcase how pure, appellation specific Cabernet should be expressed. Please come back and visit us here in the future to see what’s in store!
Liparita is currently focused on creating Cabernets that express an 100% pure expression of fruit sourced from the Yountville appellation.
This may change in the future, based purely on what best serves this noble varietal. So in vintages to come, we remain dedicated to seeking out the best fruit from within the 16 different sub-appellations of Napa Valley allowing us to truly showcase how pure, appellation specific Cabernet should be expressed. Please come back and visit us here in the future to see what’s in store!
Liparita is currently focused on creating Cabernets that express an 100% pure expression of fruit sourced from the Yountville appellation.
This may change in the future, based purely on what best serves this noble varietal. So in vintages to come, we remain dedicated to seeking out the best fruit from within the 16 different sub-appellations of Napa Valley allowing us to truly showcase how pure, appellation specific Cabernet should be expressed. Please come back and visit us here in the future to see what’s in store!
Liparita is currently focused on creating Cabernets that express an 100% pure expression of fruit sourced from the Yountville appellation.
This may change in the future, based purely on what best serves this noble varietal. So in vintages to come, we remain dedicated to seeking out the best fruit from within the 16 different sub-appellations of Napa Valley allowing us to truly showcase how pure, appellation specific Cabernet should be expressed. Please come back and visit us here in the future to see what’s in store!
Liparita is currently focused on creating Cabernets that express an 100% pure expression of fruit sourced from the Yountville appellation.
This may change in the future, based purely on what best serves this noble varietal. So in vintages to come, we remain dedicated to seeking out the best fruit from within the 16 different sub-appellations of Napa Valley allowing us to truly showcase how pure, appellation specific Cabernet should be expressed. Please come back and visit us here in the future to see what’s in store!