When Robert Mondavi chose To Kalon Vineyard in west Oakville as the home for his new winery in 1966, he remarked that it was “a vineyard with a distinguished history and a magical nature. Ideal soils, sunlight, and rain—to my eye, the vineyard was a treasure.” Well-drained, low fertility soils, aided by optimal sun exposure, consistently yield impeccable fruit maturity and amazing quality. The 2017 is a blend of three of our finest blocks of Cabernet Franc on To Kalon®.

To Kalon Vineyard Company’s “Eliza’s” cuvée is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, two varieties that best showcase the strength and spirit of this historic site at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains. The wine is named after Eliza Yount, one of Napa’s bestknown early pioneers, widow to the founder of nearby Yountville, and one-time owner of a quiet corner of To Kalon, on Walnut Lane, that is now home to our coveted planting of Cabernet Franc. This blend produces one of the most compelling examples of Napa Valley wine, with the Cabernet Franc bringing exotic spice notes and floral aromas, and the Cabernet Sauvignon providing weight, structure, and a deep, rich, black fruit character. The combination is rare and uniquely To Kalon—a wine that is effusive and exuberant now, but one that will age for decades to come. 2018, the first vintage offering of this wine, is already being recognized as a benchmark year in the Valley.

H.W. Crabb came to California looking for gold but stayed to become one of the pioneers of Napa Valley winemaking. He named his estate To Kalon Vineyard®, Greek for Highest Beauty, because of the lush bounty it provided. Soon, his wines became renowned around the world. And over the last 150 years, the vineyard’s consistent fine quality has made it one of the most coveted in the world.

Sited between the sheltering Vaca and Mayacamas mountain ranges deep in the valley, the vineyard has well-drained, gravelly soil that allows the vines to root deeply to find precious moisture and nutrients. The broad diurnal temperature shifts and reliable sun, wind, and fog provide the ideal blend of growth and rest for complex flavor development.

2018 was a spectacular growing season from start to finish. February brought a healthy dose of rain, fully replenishing the soils. Sunshine and mild temperatures followed, setting up nearly ideal conditions for flowering and fruit set. Light rains in early October, followed by breezy warm days, allowed the vineyards to fully mature and the grape harvest felt like the smoothest of landings.