Marita’s Vineyard is a 2.6-acre estate in the Coombsville AVA, planted in 2002 by Bulmaro Montes — a former Vice President of Operations at Joseph Phelps Vineyards, where he oversaw landmark wines such as Insignia and Backus. The vineyard occupies a gently sloping hillside with well-drained rocky and stone/gravel soils, and vine root depth is intentionally shallow, averaging just 24 to 36 inches, which concentrates fruit flavors. No pesticides or insecticides are used; beneficial insects are encouraged as part of a sustainable farming plan tended exclusively by Bulmaro and his brother Manuel, who together bring over 90 years of combined grape-growing experience.

Coombsville is among the cooler sub-appellations of the Napa Valley, strongly influenced by the moderating effects of the nearby San Pablo Bay. During summer, maritime fog moves into the region at night and typically burns off by mid-to-late morning, creating long hang times and even ripening conditions that lend the wines natural acidity and balanced structure. The Coombsville AVA — officially recognized in 2011 — is widely regarded among Napa Valley growers as a premier source for Cabernet Sauvignon, and the 2012 SOMA is sourced entirely from Marita’s own estate fruit.

The SOMA is the more approachable of Marita’s two wines — graceful and fruit-forward with gentle tannins. Winemaker Kurt Niznik crafts the wine to reflect the balance and softness that are hallmarks of both the estate vineyard and the Coombsville appellation, with additional bottle aging given before release to allow the wine’s structure to integrate fully.