Stagecoach Vineyard, owned by the Krupp family, is one of the most ambitious vineyard developments to date. Situated upon a stagecoach trail from the 1800s, this 800-acre vineyard was planted around enormous rocks and boulders atop the eastern hills of Napa Valley. At nearly 1,500 feet above the valley floor, above the fog line, this vineyard consistently produces bold, age-worthy wines from it’s famously red, rocky, volcanic soils mixed with red/yellow/pink clay loam.

“Perfect weather, abundant crop and depth of flavor” are three phrases being used to describe this year’s growing season. Heavy rains in late February and March gave a much-needed soak to the vines as they were emerging from dormancy and beginning bud break. Furthermore, the spring was warm, creating ideal conditions for frost prevention, flowering and fruit set. The August 24th earthquake did not do any damage to the crop, and our team was able to proceed with harvest as usual in spite of the shake-up on property. Yields were above average for 2014, and the vintage is being described as “excellent” for the third year in a row.