Marita’s Vineyard is a 2.6-acre estate situated on a hillside slope in the Coombsville AVA, just east of the city of Napa, planted entirely to Cabernet Sauvignon in 2002. The vineyard’s well-drained rocky and stone/gravel soil supports shallow root depth averaging 24 to 36 inches — a condition that concentrates fruit flavors by stressing the vines. Pesticides and insecticides are never used; beneficial insects are encouraged as part of the Montes Family’s sustainability philosophy. The SOMA bottling takes its name from a combination of owner Bulmaro Montes’ two daughters, Sophia and Mara, and is described as the more graceful, fruit-forward expression of the estate, with gentle tannins relative to the flagship Marita’s Vineyard Cabernet.

The 2011 growing season in Napa Valley was defined by above-average rainfall that extended into mid-June, delaying bud burst and fruit set and producing a cooler-than-average year throughout. While mold, rot, and botrytis posed challenges for unselected fruit and reduced overall quantities, the commitment to rigorous sorting in the field and at the winery preserved quality. The resulting wines are characterized by well-balanced structure, good intensity, and a brightness of flavor. Coombsville’s proximity to San Pablo Bay, which already moderates temperatures relative to the rest of Napa Valley, made it a particularly apt site for navigating the cool, long 2011 season.