Winemakers Notes

The 2017 vintage combines the magical qualities of the incredible 2013 and 2016 vintages. Perfect weather blessed the growing season, and we harvested all the fruit, which now sits deep underground, safeguarded by massive stone and air filtration.

Despite the surrounding wildfires displacing some of my dedicated crew, they still showed up to work. Meanwhile, we found ourselves in a world of quiet, fortress-like protection at the Hundred Acre RING winery. Nestled deep in the mountain, the winery remains completely shielded.

Vineyard Notes

The single estate vineyard ARK lies just outside St. Helena, California, at the base of Howell Mountain. Originally planted in the 1880s, it sadly vanished during Prohibition. We spent five years rebuilding it, and now it stands as our pride and joy.

ARK consists of nine blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon, each meticulously planted in nine different volcanic soil strata.

The vineyard showcases a sixty-million-year geological timeline, featuring three ancient beaches and a prehistoric weapons quarry. It spans a 180-degree arc of the sun over its half-mile length. On the hottest days, Glass Mountain blocks the intense afternoon sun that can damage the fruit’s aromatics. Named for the rare obsidian rock found in the soil and ancient weapons like arrowheads, Glass Mountain rises to the west of the ARK vineyard.

Cooperage

Hundred Acre wines are aged for a minimum of 30 months in the finest, center cut French oak barrique. The stave wood is hand-selected for ultra-tight grain, then air dried for three years before being made into barrels.

Learn about the phenomenon that is Hundred Acre Wines here. Or visit the Hundred Acre website here.