Quintessa is a 280-acre estate in the heart of Rutherford, a mosaic of hills and valleys bounded by the Vaca Mountains and the Napa River. Today, 160 acres are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Carménère across 26 individual vineyard blocks, each farmed organically and Biodynamically. Ancient geologies and a range of soils—from white volcanic ash in the eastern hills to silty loam on the bench—converge to produce wines of elegance and harmony that are a true reflection of the estate.

After three years of drought, the winter of 2023 gifted the estate with copious rain, replenishing the lake and saturating the deep vineyard soils. Cool and wet conditions in early spring delayed bud break by two to three weeks, setting an unhurried cadence for the entire vintage. Summer, free from heat spikes, allowed grapes to ripen slowly, and as a testament to biodynamic farming, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc replanted in the Riveria Block between five and six years ago make their debut this vintage. The harvest ran from September 22 through October 30, producing a wine of remarkable balance and clarity, with lifted aromatics, bright acidity, and fine, precise tannins as markers of the long growing season.

The 2023 Quintessa opens with aromas of fresh cassis and violets, layered with notes of tobacco leaf and subtle herbs. The palate reveals a purity of fruit enhanced by depth and structure—dense yet lithe, with luscious dark fruit, fine minerally tannins, and bright acidity bringing a fresh and focused profile. It carries the classic Quintessa texture and a long, graceful finish. Vibrant and complex, the 2023 captures all the nuances of its exceptional growing season.