Abreu Vineyards. Founder David Abreu (3rd generation Napa Valley) grew up working in vineyards. In 1980, after earning a bachelor's degree in viticulture and oenology from the University of California Davis, David founded David Abreu Vineyard Management, Inc. (www.davm.com) and also developed Madrona Ranch Vineyard on St. Helena in the same year. The first commercial vintage of an Abreu wine was in 1987, from the Estância Abreu Madrona.
From a winemaking perspective, Abreu has played a key role in improving the quality of Napa Valley wines, raising the bar to a new level beginning in the 1990s. He is very selective about the vineyards he works with ; His resume in Napa Valley is impressive, having worked with Screaming Eagle, Staglin Family Vineyard, Colgin Cellars, Harlan Estate, Bryant Family Vineyard, Araujo Estate (now Eisele Vineyard) and Grace Family Vineyards.
The fruit for Abreu wines comes from four spectacular upper-valley vineyards: two on St. Helena at the bottom of the valley, both within a mile of each other, including Madrona Ranch and Cappella, and two hillside vineyards : Ecotone Vineyard (soon below Howell). Mountain) and Las Posadas Howell Mountain. David was the architect of the vineyard, is the manager of the vineyard and has supervised the planting of the vines at these four sites.
Madrona Ranch is located near the eastern end of the Mayacamas Mountains in St. Helena, in an alluvial fan that extends from these nearby mountains. This vineyard is very close to Spottswoode Winery and on both sides of the bottom of the driveway that leads to Newton Vineyard. This is the first vineyard in Abreu's portfolio and was developed by David in the early 1980s. In addition to the vineyard, the property is also home to a former stable and various farm animals, including cattle, goats, pigs and chickens, as well as like like a few hives honey.
Cappella Rico-Matteo Abreu Abreu Vineyard (named for David's two sons, one of whom is a race car driver) is a 6-acre site bordering the former Santa Cruz Catholic Cemetery and the nearby Santa Elena Public Cemetery in St. Helena (homeland, incidentally, a series of cemeteries of prominent Napa winemakers, including Charles Krug and André Tchelistcheff). This is a very historic wine district - close neighbors are Beckstoffer's Bourn Vineyard and CHASE Cellars' Zinfandel Hayne Vineyard. The first vines at Cappella Vineyard were planted in 1869.
The Thorevilos Vineyard (now called Ecotone Vineyard) is 22 hectares and was planted and managed for many years until 2019 by David and Ric Forman (Ric was the founding winemaker of Sterling Vineyards and now runs Forman Vineyards and helped produce the first Abreu wines) . Nestled among oak and fir trees among west-facing hills, this is arguably the most picturesque of the four sites. Located below the 1400 qualifying elevation to be within the Howell Mountain AVA.
Lucia Abreu Winery. David bought land for this vineyard in 2000 and named it after his daughter; It is 2,000 feet above sea level. This is premium Howell Mountain terroir in a beautiful part of the sub-appellation known as Las Posadas. The site has 33 hectares, of which 15 are planted. Nearby vineyards include one of Pine Ridge, a Marc & Janice Mondavi vineyard and further afield is the historic Bancroft Vineyard whose fruit is sold to Beringer. Rancho La Jota: Part of an old land grant is also nearby, dating back to 1843. And part of this vineyard extends almost to the edge of a small airstrip at Angwin-Parrett Field.
And Abreu Vineyards isn't the only grower with access to these coveted vineyards: Several other Napa Valley growers have bought or continue to buy fruit over the years, including the Bryant Family and Colgin Cellars.
Winemaking at Vinhas de Abreu is in charge of winemaker Brad Grimes. Brad is a former Seattle chef turned winemaker, though he still cooks frequently, mostly for select charity events in the valley. Brad is a consummate perfectionist with no formal training in winemaking. He has been working with David since 2000, first in the vineyards and then in winemaking.
So in tune with the inner workings of the limited production wines he oversees, it sometimes seems as if Brad is an extension of the wines themselves. He takes his job very seriously and is obsessed with attention to detail. In the world of wine, passion often leads to obsession. When it comes to oenology, attention to detail is a very positive trait. Brad has worked with interns in the past, but over the years he has learned that he works best alone, a master craftsman who maintains full control of all wines produced at the winery.
Brad describes winemaking at Vinhas de Abreu as circular: the work each year is well connected between his four vineyards, the vineyard management team, and Brad. Some members of the vineyard management team have been working with Abreu for several decades; His attention to detail in the vineyard is meticulous, and he spends his time sorting the grapes before handing them over to Brad.
Brad's attention to detail is attentive both in the vineyard and in the cellar: he only harvests certain parts of the vineyard as they mature, sometimes even selecting the fruit from parts of the rows. He uses small tanks and keeps the fruits from each vineyard separate from each other during winemaking. And instead of fermenting the varieties separately, they are co-fermented. Each vintage typically starts with around 100 barrels (equivalent to around 2,400 cases), but there is a rigorous selection process for the final wines, with only the best of the best being chosen. When the final selection was made, they removed more than half of the barrels, resulting in a typical harvest of around 1,000 cases.
In addition to Abreu wines, Brad has the flexibility to work on other select projects. During our visit, he was barrel-fermenting a small batch of a rare Howell Mountain Pinot Noir wine, a vine selection of that variety originating from a noble Burgundy vineyard.
select wines
While Abreu Vineyards produces vine-labelled wines at its four locations, Rothwell Hyde wine is a blend of fruit from all four locations.
The 2015 Abreu Vineyards Rothwell Hyde Napa Valley red wine has a dark mahogany color; Elegant with ripe fruit flavors including blackberry with hints of black licorice, it offers crème de cassis and additional flavors of tempting desert spices including brown chocolate and vanilla. Smooth and rich on the palate with layers of darker fruit flavors including blackberry and spicy plum. It lingers with the density and power of gripping, muscular tannins, complemented by hints of darker spices like cedar and dried tobacco leaf. Very long finish that lingers with structure and fruit. An impressive and very accessible exhibition, but with all the appearance of aging for many years.
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The labels are a work of art, featuring illustrations by self-taught master engraver Robert Swartley, originally illustrated by Bob and then printed on presses that are over 150 years old (Bob died in 2016).
The wines are primarily sold to members through a distribution list, although some wines can be found in select restaurants across the country and a limited selection is available on some online and overseas retail sites. For example, we have seen some of their wines for sale in top-tier wine shops in Bangkok. One on-site retail space that selectively sells Abreu Vineyards wines, both through guided tours and online, is Yountville-based K.Laz Collection. Backroom Wines in the city of Napa can also carry select wines.
With such a limited production and a fully dedicated member list, those interested in purchasing the wines can sign up for the member waiting list. For more information visit:www.abreuvineyards.com
Capela Rico-Matteo Abreu Weinberg
Madrona-Weinberg Ranch
Lucia Abreu Winery, Montaña Howell Winery
Ecotone-Weinberg(formerly Thorevilo Vineyard)
FAQs
Who owns Abreu Vineyards? ›
A third-generation rancher raised in Napa Valley, David Abreu graduated from the Viticulture and Enology Program at UC Davis and founded Abreu Vineyard Management in 1980.
Where did the Kardashians go wine tasting in Napa? ›Del Dotto Estate Winery And Caves
winery is kind of our go-to, whenever we come to Napa, so it's tradition to stop by,” Khloé Kardashian said of Del Dotto in a 2020 clip of Keeping Up With the Kardashians.
Abreu Vineyards is a wine producer in the Napa Valley, in northern California. The winery specializes in single-site Cabernet Sauvignon blends from four distinct sites in the St Helena and Howell Mountain sub-appellations.
Where is Thorevilos Vineyard? ›Thorevilos is the only Abreu vineyard that is not situated in any of the numerous Napa Valley appellations. It's located in the middle of St. Helena and Howell Mountain.
What is the largest black-owned winery? ›Over time, McBride Sisters has grown into what is not only the largest Black-owned wine company in the United States, but one of the most inclusive, accessible, socially aware and sustainable.
Who owns the largest vineyard in California? ›The big conglomerates are California's largest holders of vineyard properties– E & J Gallo, Constellation Brands, The Wine Group, Delicato, Kendall Jackson, etc. California's largest single vineyard, the 5,000-acre San Bernabe Vineyard in Monterey County, is owned by Delicato.
What is the most famous winery in Napa? ›Sattui Winery St. Helena, Napa. This is the most popular and most visited winery in all of Napa.
What is the most popular wine in Napa Valley? ›Cabernet Sauvignon is the acknowledged king of red grapes in Napa Valley, accounting for 40% of our total production and 55% of our crop value. This vine is grown throughout Napa Valley and achieves a variety of expression depending on its vineyard site.
What is the largest winery in Napa? ›The Beckstoffer family owns 1,015 producing acres in Napa County. The biggest vineyard is George III, with about 250 producing vineyard acres. E&J Gallo winery, the world's largest winery, in March purchased Stagecoach Vineyard, adding about 600 acres to its portfolio.
What does Abreu mean? ›Some argue that it is an abbreviation of the Portuguese phrase “Abraham the Hebrew” (Portuguese Abraão O Hebreu). Prominent people with the surname are: Abner Abreu (born 1989), Dominican baseball player. Abraham Abreu (born 1939), Venezuelan harpsichordist.
What wineries in Napa have been destroyed? ›
- Barnett Vineyards. Fire damaged an upper deck, storage shed, and vineyards. ...
- Behrens Family Winery. The winery burned, but the tank barn and tasting room there are still standing. ...
- Bremer Family Winery. ...
- Burgess Cellars. ...
- Cain Vineyard and Winery. ...
- Castello di Amorosa. ...
- Chateau Boswell. ...
- Cornell Vineyards.
Justin Winery is one of the biggest and most well-recognized wineries in Paso Robles. They specialize in Bordeaux style varietals using old-world techniques, and it comes through in their sensational wines.
What vineyard does Nancy Pelosi? ›| Celebrity | Winery/vineyard | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Jacques Parizeau | Coteau de l'Élisette | Languedoc, France |
| Fess Parker | Fess Parker Winery | Santa Ynez Valley, California |
| Robert M. Parker, Jr. | Beaux Frères Vineyards & Winery | Willamette Valley, Oregon |
| Nancy Pelosi | Zinfandel Lane Vineyard | St. Helena, California |
Jayson invited Dwyane to witness harvest in the Napa Valley in 2014. Harvest is a very magical time in the Valley and sparked Dwayne's dream of Wade Cellars. The combination of that 2014 harvest trip with Jayson's wine business knowledge and Dwyane's enthusiasm and joie de vivre Wade Cellars was born.
Does Cameron Diaz own a vineyard? ›The vineyard said they pride themselves on being organic and sustainable, which aligns with wine brand Avaline. Avaline was founded by actress Cameron Diaz and author Katherine Power, who call the wines a apart of Avaline, clean, delicious and transparent.
What winery does Bon Jovi own? ›he Hampton Water rosé label was launched in Europe on 9 May at the Trocadero, opposite the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The Languedoc appellation wine has been co-branded by rock star Jon Bon Jovi, his son Jesse Bongiovi and Frenchman Gérard Bertrand since 2018.
What is the oldest black-owned restaurant? ›Jones Bar-B-Q Diner is a barbecue joint in Marianna, Arkansas, US, that has been open since at least the 1910s. According to business guide Black Business, it is believed to be the country's oldest black-owned restaurant.
Who owns most of Napa? ›The two biggest names are Diageo--a U.K.-based giant that also owns Burger King--and the Australian beer brand Foster's. Between them, Diageo (Beaulieu Vineyard, Sterling and Mumm Napa Valley) and Foster's (Beringer, St. Clement and Stags' Leap) by themselves own or control more than 10% of Napa vineyards.
Does Snoop Dogg own a vineyard? ›The iconic rapper has launched his very own wine called “Snoop Cali Red” in collaboration with Australian wine company 19 Crimes. Snoop Cali Red is the debut wine release of Snoop's multi-year partnership with the Australian wine brand, and 19 Crimes' first-ever Californian wine.
Does Donald Trump own any wineries? ›...
| Trump Winery | |
|---|---|
| Formerly | Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard |
| Founded | 1999; reopened October 2011 |
| Opened to the public | May 2015 |
| Key people | Eric Trump, owner Kerry Woolard, General Manager Jonathan Wheeler, Winemaker |
What is the most famous winery in California? ›
1. Bien Nacido. Bien Nacido is ground zero of California's Santa Maria Valley—it is the vineyard against which all of Santa Maria is measured. It's the benchmark, crown jewel of the region.
What is the most beautiful winery in Napa Valley? ›- Chimney Rock Winery.
- Round Pond Estate.
- Beaulieu Vineyard.
- Robert Mondavi winery.
- Robert Mondavi winery grounds.
- V Sattui winery.
- Stag's Leap wine cellars.
- Stag's Leap entrance.
Since Napa Valley is an agricultural area, comfort is a top consideration even when visiting the vineyards and wineries. Although there is no specific dress code when visiting Napa, dressing there is generally “casual” and “business casual.” Locals tend to dress casually, but visitors may want to dress up a bit more.
What is the best month to visit Napa Valley? ›The best time to visit Napa is August through October or March through May. Napa's peak tourist season corresponds with the region's harvest season (August through October). During this busy time, expect crowds and high prices for just about everything, especially accommodations.
What is the highest rated wine in the world? ›| Rank | 2022 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Schrader Cellars Double Diamond Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley | 2019 |
| 2 | Fattoria dei Barbi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG, Tuscany | 2016 |
| 3 | HDV Hyde de Villaine Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay, Carneros | 2019 |
| 4 | Chateau Talbot, Saint-Julien | 2019 |
If you buy pricier wines, then go to Napa. If you mainly drink Cabernet Sauvignon, buttery Chardonnay, and Merlot, then go to Napa. If you buy more reasonably priced wines, then go to Sonoma. If you mainly drink Zinfandels, Pinot Noirs, Sparkling Wines, Red Blends, and Unoaked zesty Chardonnays, then go to Sonoma.
What's the oldest winery in Napa? ›Now in its third century, Charles Krug Winery is the quintessential example of a multigenerational winery that fuses tradition and innovation to craft wines of high acclaim. It is the oldest winery in the Napa Valley and has been owned and operated by the Peter Mondavi, Sr. family for four generations, founded in 1861.
Where is Brad Pitt's winery? ›It lies on the Château Miraval wine estate in Provence, which Pitt still co-owns after having originally bought the property with ex-partner Angelina Jolie. Tenute del Mondo, a subsidiary of Stoli Group, announced in 2021 it had acquired a 50% stake in Miraval from Jolie.
What is the most famous winery? ›- Château de Berne. ...
- Bodegas Vivanco. ...
- Donnafugata-Marsala. Sicily, Italy.
- Jordan Vineyard & Winery. Sonoma County, United States.
- Tokara Winery. Stellenbosch, South Africa.
- Quinta do Noval. Douro Valley, Portugal.
- Penfolds Magill Estate. South Australia, Australia.
- Schloss Gobelsburg. Kamptal, Austria.
| Celebrity | Winery/vineyard | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Nancy Pelosi | Zinfandel Lane Vineyard | St. Helena, California |
| Pink | Two Wolves Wine | Santa Ynez Valley, California |
| Andrea Pirlo | Pratum Coller Vineyard | Brescia, Italy |
| Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie | Chateau Miraval | Provence, France |
What winery does Cameron Diaz own? ›
We sat down with our incredible founders, Cameron Diaz and Katherine Power, to chat about clean, delicious wine and what makes Avaline, well, Avaline— from organic grapes to our commitment to transparency. Pour a glass and get ready to dive in!
What winery does CJ McCollum own? ›What's more, McCollum purchased a 318-acre property in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, located in Oregon, back in 2021. He is now the first NBA player to purchase vineyard land. “I'm thrilled by our new vineyard site.
What winery does Gavin Newsom own? ›Gavin Newsom's PlumpJack group buys Mondavi's Oso Vineyard in Napa.
What winery does Donald Trump own? ›Trump Winery (formerly Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard) is a winery on Trump Vineyard Estates in the Piedmont region of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the county of Albemarle. It is within the Monticello viticultural area and is among the 23 wineries on the Monticello Wine Trail.
Does Johnny Depp own a vineyard? ›Estèphe appellation. Good taste noted, this is one of my favorite wines. The article also pointed out that Depp owned a vineyard in the Côtes de Provence, where they made their Plan de la Tour.
Does Drew Barrymore own a winery? ›Drew Barrymore: Barrymore Wines
She partnered with Carmel Road Winery in 2010 to blend wines from grapes grown in Monterey, California, on land situated along the Blue Grand Canyon waters in the Pacific.
Château Miraval is owned by Brat Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Studio Miraval was the site of classics like Pink Floyd's The Wall and WHAM's "Careless Whisper." Also has been used by AC/DC, The Cure, Elton John, and Sting.
Does George Clooney own a winery? ›The Clooneys have been given a mayoral welcome at their luxurious new property, Domaine du Canadel, in the French town of Brignoles. The estate comes complete with a 10-hectare/25-acre vineyard.
Did Wayne Gretzky sell his winery? ›“Wayne Gretzky Winery is a success, having gone from 5,000 cases to 40,000 cases since opening in the summer of 2007. We have taken it as far as our infrastructure would allow and made the decision to sell our portion of the ownership.”
What winery does Joe Montana own? ›They called it Villa Montana and it took them five years to complete. Around that same time, Montana was teaming up with then-Beringer winemaker Ed Sbragia to make a Cabernet Sauvignon that could be primarily sold at charity events (the two had met at a wine auction).
Who owns the most wineries in Napa? ›
The two biggest names are Diageo--a U.K.-based giant that also owns Burger King--and the Australian beer brand Foster's. Between them, Diageo (Beaulieu Vineyard, Sterling and Mumm Napa Valley) and Foster's (Beringer, St. Clement and Stags' Leap) by themselves own or control more than 10% of Napa vineyards.
What is the largest family owned winery? ›Founded by brothers Ernest and Julio Gallo in 1933 in Modesto, California, E. & J. Gallo Winery is the world's largest family-owned winery and the acclaimed producer of award-winning wines and spirits featured in more than 90 countries around the globe.