Dearden Wines embodies many varietals of wines from several sub-appellations sourced from vineyards of the highest caliber in both Napa and Sonoma Counties, selected because of their attention to detail, clonal choices and viticultural care.
Dearden Vineyard
Formerly called The “Las Amigas Partners Vineyard,” Dearden Vineyard is located on a 12 acre parcel nestled into the heart of Carneros.
One of the last true agricultural stands of Napa Valley, the Carneros region harbors a great deal of character amongst its patch work of vineyards, wineries and homes. Split across Sonoma and Napa County, the Carneros region remains the coolest AVA of the valley due to its proximity to the San Francisco Bay. The long, cool growing season is a result of the ingress of fog in the morning and evening, modulating the temperatures during the summer and fall months.
Largely assumed to be suited only for grazing land due to poor soil and persistent cloud coverage until the 90’s, Carneros (ram in Spanish) is the viticultural ideal for cooler climate varieties, pioneered by winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff.
This vineyard was acquired and planted in 2006 to five different clones of Pinot noir and a small amount of Chardonnay. The clonal selections of Pinot noir are integral to producing a wine of depth, texture and character. The Pinot noir clones we carefully selected are 115, Pommard, 777, 459 and Calera, with each clone contributing a distinct and integral part of the assemblage. Yields are limited to 2.5 tons per acre, allowing for the vine to produce the truest expression of the fruit without compromise.
Paige’s Vineyard
Paige’s Vineyard is located at the perimeter of our Dearden Vineyard. The vineyard was planted to the “Old Wente” clone of Chardonnay in 2006. Old Wente clone Chardonnay is a poor producer due to its propensity towards chicks and hens cluster architecture, but constructs an incredibly flavorful grape to make wine with. When the decision was made to plant this clone, it was in the interest of quality winemaking and not volume; low yields and concentrated flavor are hallmarks for this clone, delivering a vibrant Chardonnay.
Buena Tierra Vineyard
The Buena Tierra Vineyard was planted in 1978, making it one of the oldest vineyards in the Russian River Valley. This venerable vineyard is located 1.5 miles southeast of Rochioli Vineyard in the low hills of the Laguna Ridge where the Russian River turns to head west to the Pacific Ocean. It has been meticulously farmed by members of the Lopez family for more than 40 years. The site is ideal for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with well-drained sandy clay loam soil, cooling morning and evening fog from the ocean and bright sunshine during the day. Selectively irrigated, the vineyard is planted to several clones. The small berried, tight-clustered Chardonnay fruit yields a juice and resultant wine that is excellent and unique in character.
Inglewood Vineyard
The Kartozian and Toma Families planted this tiny, hand-tended Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard in 2004. Low yield and high quality are the mainstays for this silty, well-drained clay loam soil in the heart of the St. Helena Appellation in Napa Valley. The vineyard is planted to the Grace Family Clone, prized for its power, concentration and vibrant deep color. The strong root system of the vines greatly lowers the necessary water during the growing season; the vine roots push deeper every year to reach new pockets of the micronutrients in the soil to pass on to the fruit.
Lamonica Vineyard
Sam Lamonica planted his vineyard in 2002 on the the gentle sloping hillside by his family home in the Napa Valley. Located on the southern end of the Silverado Trail, the rocky soils and slight westerly aspect allow for only a small crop which is concentrated and pure. With a combination of Haire Loam and Hambright-Rock outcrop, decomposed igneous rock absorbs warmth and encourages thorough drainage.
Dearden has been making Little Giant Cabernet Sauvignon from this vineyard since 2011 and has seen the vineyard appreciate going on its 20th year since its first planting. This vineyard is one we reach for again and again for its exceptional composition and character.
Frediani Vineyard
The Frediani family has been farming in the Napa Valley since 1905. Their seventy years old, 20 acre vineyard is located at the end of the Valley in Calistoga where it is dry farmed. The vines are in rocky gravel and bale clay loam soil and experience brutally hot days and chilly nights. This temperature variance results in incredibly lush and intense fruit.
Aldoroty Vineyard
In 2002 Neil and Karen Aldoroty planted a 1.18 acre vineyard just for me on the Silverado Trail, on the southern end of the prestigious Stag’s Leap Appellation. It is a west facing vineyard on the well-drained slope of the eastern hillside of the Vaca Mountain range on the border of the Oak Knoll and Stag’s Leap regions in Napa Valley. Clone C, the Bacchus Cabernet clone (made famous from the Joseph Phelps bottlings) was the choice for their tiny vineyard. The Aldoroty Vineyard site is unique in that it contains a variety of complex soil types such as volcanic rock, sand and sedimentary strata all within a minuscule geographic area. The soil, exposure and orientation of the vineyard dictate the production of a Cabernet Sauvignon possessing breadth, complexity and intensity of flavor.
