PRIEST RANCH WINES ESTATE FARMED WINES OF UNCOMMON QUALITY AND CHARACTER Priest Ranch embodies the essence of Napa Valley, from the trailblazing mindset of its establishing pioneers to today s spirit of farming excellence. Inspired by adventurous settlers like Joshua James Priest and others who have helped shape the Napa Valley we call home, Priest Ranch is dedicated to producing estate-farmed wines of uncommon quality and character. INTEGRITY & EXCELLENCE BEGIN AT THE SOURCE Honoring our Napa Valley heritage by cultivating wines with distinctive profiles that expressly link them to their estate source, Priest Ranch is committed to sharing a legacy that encompasses agricultural integrity, a forward-thinking mindset and an unswerving commitment to quality at the very highest level. We believe that all wines must stem from the land itself. Our winemaker and viticulturist, Craig Becker, draws on rich, diverse vineyard sources that feature a variety of elevations, exposures, soils and microclimates. With knowledge borne of deep experience, Craig takes a minimalist approach to winemaking, encouraging the highest expression of personality, intensity and distinction in each varietal produced. Our estate is located in the mountains 12 miles east of the town of Rutherford in the Napa Valley, and is comprised of 129 acres of sustainably farmed vineyards with elevations spanning 800 feet on the valley floor to 2,400 feet at the mountain ridge. The land is planted to an incredibly diverse selection of over 15 varietals, offering a wide range of wines for our guests to explore. CULTIVATED EXCELLENCE Craig Becker oversees both the viticulture and winemaking for Priest Ranch. Craig and his team subscribe to the challenge of cultivated excellence, a viticulture and winemaking philosophy that aspires to produce wines reflecting the natural spirit of their source. With fruit farmed and selected block-by-block, Priest Ranch wines bring together the distinctive characteristics found in each block s elevations, exposures, soils and microclimates. We do not want to impose our vision on the Napa Valley. Instead, we want to reveal the full character and diversity of what Napa Valley offers, says Becker. I believe the Napa Valley is the best region in the world for growing Bordeaux varieties, but I also allow each distinct piece of land to dictate the grape variety that will yield the most character. Our primary goal is to reflect and share this property s diversity through our wines.
Having control of both farming and winemaking allows Becker the ability to craft wines in first in the vineyard and secondarily in the winery. Becker believes that his intense focus on each detail and nuance of the vineyard ultimately enables him to produce wines reflecting the personality, intensity and distinction of their estate. In the winery, he allows all wines to undergo native fermentations with minimal additions. With a production of only 10,000 cases annually, Priest Ranch wines may be purchased in select retail shops and restaurants across the U.S., as well as from the Priest Ranch tasting room in Yountville, California and online at www.priestranchwines.com. HISTORICAL LEGACY Today, Priest Ranch continues the adventurous legacy shaped by Joshua James Priest. Priest purchased 638 acres of land within the estate from the original Rancho Catacula in 1869 and helped pioneer the transformation of the Napa Valley into what it is today - a region recognized around the world for agricultural and epicurean excellence. It is this rich heritage that forms the foundation of Priest Ranch Wines. Priest Ranch Wines 6490 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599 call 707.944.8200 write info@priestranchwines.com visit priestranchwines.com
2016 GRENACHE BLANC APPELLATION & VINEYARDS The historic Priest Ranch is now part of the Somerston Estate, a significant property totaling 1,615 acres with 215 acres planted to hillside vineyards. The dramatic elevations of the vineyards define and distinguish the estate, ranging from 800 ft to 2,400 ft above sea level. The wines of Priest Ranch are blends from multiple blocks that showcase the diversity and complexity of the combined property. Our 2016 Grenache Blanc grapes were selected from Blocks 6 and 7, a 4.9 acre vineyard planted at an elevation of 1,250 feet. appellation Napa Valley varietal 100% Grenache Blanc aging Stainless Steel Drums release date June 1, 2017 production 1,271 cases alc 14.6% WINEMAKING Priest Ranch Grenache Blanc was fermented in stainless steel drums and tanks. Native yeasts fermented the wine at a controlled 60 degrees F. The lees was stirred twice a month for 5 months before the wine was bottled. HARVEST NOTES Everything about the 2016 vintage was early, from bud break in early March to harvest. The near perfect growing season saw ideal warm weather conditions throughout spring and summer days. Lighter than normal yield accelerated the start of harvest that began in September. The Grenache Blanc was hand harvested over a period of three days. TASTING NOTES This is an aromatic white wine with bright aromas of white peach, melons and honeysuckle. The palate is sharp with good acidity and minerality, bright stone fruits and a touch of tannins. 6490 washington st. yountville, ca 94599. priestranchwines.com
2013 COACH GUN APPELLATION & VINEYARDS The historic Priest Ranch is now part of the Somerston Estate, a significant property totaling 1,615 acres, with 222 acres planted to hillside vineyards. Dramatic elevations of the vineyards define and distinguish the estate, ranging from 800 ft to 2,400 ft above sea level. In 2013, the grapes for this wine were chosen from five separate hillside blocks. WINEMAKING Our 2013 Coach Gun was handpicked, sorted, and fermented naturally, then aged for 28 months in 50% new French oak barrels. The blend was refined over the course of the first year of aging and the final blend was determined just months before bottling. ESTATE GROWN, PRODUCED & BOTTLED appellation Napa Valley varietal 30%Cabernet Franc,20%Cabernet Sauvignon,20%Merot,15%Malbec,15%Petit Verdot aging 50% new French oak release date October 1, 2016 production 780 cases alc 15.6% HARVEST NOTES The 2013 vintage was a classic, near perfect growing season with warm days and cool nights. The mild summer and warm weather after verasion caused the fruit to develop with good balance, great flavors, bright acidity and mature, well developed tannins. TASTING NOTES This is a beauty. Sweet licorice, black and red currants, camphor and a touch of charcoal jump from the glass of this opaque ruby/purple-colored wine. Medium to full-bodied, it exhibits complex elements in both its aromatics and flavor profile. It is full-bodied, rich, layered and ideal for drinking over the next 10-15 years. 92 points, Robert Parker Wine Advoate #221, October 2015. 6490 washington st. yountville, ca 94599. priestranchwines.com
2012 PETITE SIRAH APPELLATION & VINEYARDS Priest Ranch wines are all estate grown and bottled from the historic 638 acre Priest Ranch portion of the Somerston Estate. In 2012, we selected Petite Sirah from three different hillside blocks. WINEMAKING 500 L puncheons with 15% in new French oak barrels and 85% in neutral French oak barrels. The wine was racked twice in the first year and three times in the second year of aging. Bottled unfiltered. appellation Napa Valley varietal 100% Petite Sirah aging 15% new French oak, 85% neutral French oak release date January 1st, 2016 production 190 cases alc 15.5% HARVEST NOTES Six days cold soak at 50 degrees. 18 days indigenous fermentation with a maximum temperature of 82 degrees. Aerated pump-overs twice a day. When fermentation was complete, the tank was drained overnight to capture the wine s concentration. Only free run juice was used and malolactic fermentation occurred naturally in the bottle. Bottled unfiltered. TASTING NOTES The 2012 Petite Sirah, which is aged in larger puncheons, shows fabulous fruit, dense purple color and is 100% Petite Sirah. Deep blueberry and black raspberry fruit with camphor, white flowers and licorice are present in the full-bodied, very young, grapey and primary wine, but with plenty of upside and aging potential. It should drink well for the next 15 or more years. 91 pts Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #215 October 2014 6490 washington st. yountville, ca 94599. priestranchwines.com