I have taken some time to think about this review due to the founder, David Jeffrey, the short history of his new winery and where he intends to take it (at least in my opinion).
I did an extensive amount of research trying to uncover emerging brands in NSV and within the highly competitive category. After talking with several people I know, cultivating additional information about Calluna Vineyards, and more importantly, what is Mr. David Jeffrey all about, I decided to reach out to him and seek an invitation from him. What intrigued me about David and his approach were:
1. His studious approach to the entire process of creating a tremendous product
2. How he gathered his knowledge
3. Who he approached for insight into the business
4. The total vertical approach to the wine-making "business" and how he selected the site he is on.
5. Where the stage of the vintages are and where he intends to take it.
6. Combining old world knowledge and using what the land gives him from the Chalk Hill AVA.
The visit to Calluna Vineyards got arranged in February, 2017, and it was an amazing day. After a brief break from the brutal weather in Napa, the day I visited David had a crisp wind and blue sky. I knew this would be a good day. We drove to the site and it is a bit tricky to find, even using GPS. We called on the intercom and was greeted by David who admitted us on to the property. We reached the summit after about a 5 minute drive from the gate. I kept thinking about what he saw with no vineyards and just grass over ten years ago, within the 80 acre parcel he eventually purchased. Did he think about the Chalk Hill AVA and that it is a "transitional" area with the cool Russian River Valley and the warmer climes of Alexander Valley and Napa? Where was she going?
What knowledge was he pulling with him when he started Calluna Vineyard and his studies at Fresno State in the Winemaking programs? And what direction will he impart on the land and delivery of the finished product? After all David did study as well at Chateau Quinault and Alain Raynaud, who consults in the Bordeaux region. I was curious what he inserted into the Calluna methodology and the traditional wine-making techniques he learned and the other emerging practices occurring. David focused in Bordeaux on double sorting tables and how to separate single berries from raisins, stems and leaves (You will have to visit Callunna to learn more!), among other things.
You can learn other aspects during your visit such as why he named it Heather Ridge, why he planted certain grape varieties on the Calluna Vineyards and where, and also he showed me where the semillion grapes are grown and the blending with the sauvignon blanc. Semillion is barrel aged. David is still looking for the California terroir to give what it has and apply Old World to it as well from his Bordeaux experience. So how did the 1 hour visit go? Needed more time with David. He opens the door to his home and we walk through it and I get a pleasant sensory note and I realize he is cooking a pork dish for guests tonight and it was a terrific aroma. It felt like home, and it was David's home. We step out to the back with the vistas of the valley and various peaks. What an amazing 180 degree view.
We sip on the sauvignon blanc and the notes added with the semillion are creative. After proceeding back indoors we sit at the table with a view of the extraordinary Russian River Valley. Now I see why David picked this 80 acre parcel, did all of the soil samples and carefully marked out his vision and not what "professionals" are telling him. David spent an incredible amount of time detailing where he is and wants to be. We next went to the merlot tasting, and as David stated, the movie Sideways did not impact his merlot strategy and he even commented that at the end of the movie Miles drank a glass of Chateau Cheval Blanc that has a lot of merlot in it. But the ratings given to each Calluna wine are deserving of their 90+ points and Merlot did not suck.
The final tasting was their flagship wine, the Calluna Estate Cabernet Sauvignon with the classic cabernet,, merlot, petit verdot, malbec and cab franc. David does his own blending and wine-making and as he structures each vintage his expertise and notoriety will grow.
This is a 5 star visit and when you combine the tasting, wines, location, history and David's amazing treatment of his guest as a host, I wish I could add an additional star.
THIS WINE IS THE BEST VALUE IN ALL OF THE NSV AND ONCE CONSUMPTION, AWARENESS AND WORD OF MOUTH GROWS, LOOK OUT. KUDOS TO DAVID AND A DON'T MISS SPOT WHEN TRAVELING INTO THE RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY AND CHALK HILL AVA. read more