Baldacci Family Vineyards

Baldacci Family Vineyards is a California winery located in the Stags Leap District AVA of Napa Valley.[1] The winery was founded in 1997 by Thomas Baldacci, the grandson of Italian immigrants, on property that has been growing wine grapes since 1916. The winery, described as "ambitious" by British wine critic and Master of Wine Hugh Johnson, specializes in Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc planted on their 15 hectares (37 acres).[2] The wines have also been favorably reviewed by Decanter magazine.[3]

The current winemaker for Baldacci is Rolando Herrera who previously was cellar master of Stag's Leap Wine Cellars and has worked at Napa Valley wineries Chateau Potelle, Vine Cliffe Winery and Paul Hobbes Wines.[4]

Along with Stags' Leap Winery and others, Baldacci Family Vineyards is a member of the Stags Leap District Winery Association.[5]

History

Tom and his wife Brenda purchased the property in 1997 and for the first few vintages sold their grapes to other area wineries until releasing their own estate wines in 2000.[6] The first viticulturalist for the estate was Oscar Renteria and the first winemaker was John Clanon. The early reviews on Baldacci wines was that they were "European" in style and "food-friendly".[7]

The family eventually hired long-time Napa Valley winemaker Rolando Herrera who has previously been the cellar master of neighboring winery Stag's Leap Wine Cellars.[6]

Vineyards

The estate vineyards are located in the Stags Leap District east of the city of Yountville.[8] Among the holdings of Baldacci Family Vineyards is Brenda's Vineyard from which the winery makes a limited release Cabernet Sauvignon from. Located along the Silverado Trail, the vineyard is located in what Wine Enthusiast Magazine describes as the tenderloin of the Stags Leap District AVA.[9]

Wines

Baldacci Family Vineyards produces an average of 3500 cases of wine a year, the vast majority of it red wine. All the wines are named after members of the family.[6] In addition to producing Cabernet Sauvignon wines from the Stags Leap District, the also makes wines from the Carneros, Russian River and greater Napa Valley American Viticultural Areas (AVAs).[8] Among the varieties that Baldacci produces wine from are Pinot noir, Syrah, Gewurztraminer and Chardonnay.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Jancis Robsinon and Linda Murphy American Wine: The Ultimate Companion to the Wines and Wineries of the United States pg 77, University of California Press, 2013 ISBN 9780520273214
  2. ↑ Hugh Johnson Hugh Johnson's Wine Companion: The Encyclopedia of Wines, Vineyards & Winemakers' 6th Edition, pg 489, Mitchell Beazley, London, 2009 ISBN 9781845334574
  3. ↑ Linda Murphy "Stags Leap: a perfect fit for Cabernet", Decanter Magazine, February 15th, 2007
  4. ↑ Steve Heimoff New Classic Winemakers of California pgs 233-237, University of California Press, 2007 ISBN 9780520267916
  5. ↑ Jack Heeger "Stags Leap's Vineyard to Vintner event draws national crowd" Napa Valley Register, April 27th, 2006
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Janny Hu "Baldacci Family Vineyards" San Francisco Chronicle, November 29th, 2009
  7. ↑ Paul Franson "A look at Baldacci Family Vineyards" Napa Valley Register, February 25th, 2004
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Appellation America Baldacci Family Vineyards Profile, Accessed: January 1st, 2014
  9. ↑ Steve Heimhoff "Cabernet Sauvignon to Buy Now" Wine Enthusiast September 1st, 2006. Accessed: January 1st, 2014


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