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 SOMA is the more approachable expression from this estate — graceful and fruit-forward with gentle tannins. Balance and softness are hallmarks of this Coombsville vineyard, with the cool-climate appellation lending the wine its natural structure of acids and tannins. Marita’s tends to give their wines extra time in the bottle prior to release, allowing the flavors to integrate and soften.