Vineyard: The name To Kalon is whispered in hushed tones among lovers of Cabernet Sauvignon everywhere. There is something magical about the terroir at this valley floor site in Oakville that has produced world-class wines for generations of Napa Valley vintners. To Kalon sits on an alluvial fan deposited by ancient streams that flowed down from the Mayacamas mountains, establishing deep, gravelly, well-draining soils.

Vintage: The 2019 growing season opened with heavy March and April rains, replenishing soil moisture and preparing vines to withstand brief but dramatic heat spikes in June and mid-August. Outside of those events, conditions were largely mild, allowing for extended hangtime and one of our latest pick dates ever at To Kalon. Harvested on October 22, the fruit showed bright, expressive flavors, balanced acidity, and moderate sugars, yielding wines of concentration, structure, and freshness without being over-ripe — an ideal California vintage.

Winemaking: The grapes were destemmed into one open-top tank for a brief cold soak before fermentation began spontaneously with wild yeast. Fermentation continued without the addition of any chemicals or enzymes, aided only by the heat of the sun and daily punch-downs. After pressing the wine went into 100% new French oak barrels from Darnajou, Taransaud and Ermitage, where it aged for 24 months.

Food Pairings: No need to get crazy – seek to enhance the fruit and complement the earthy flavors of this wine with wood-fired lamb or grass-fed beef.