2016 Italics One of Sixteen Appellations St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon

Italics was founded by the Martin family of Texas, who had founded a business growing grapefruits and distributing produce. They eventually became one of the biggest distributors of produce in Texas and owned more than 7,000 acres of orchards. The Martins sold the company in 2012 and because they had for many years been visiting Napa Valley, they bought a wine label. In 2014 the family bought 71 acres in Coombsville and an existing cellar. They made improvements to the winery and hired Steve Reynolds as winemaker. The estate produces about 5,000 cases annually. They make Cabernet Sauvignnon, red and white blends.

St. Helena AVA is at the northern end of Napa Valley just north of Rutherford and south of Calistoga. It is a relatively warm climate thanks to the Mayacamas Mountains on its western edge, which protect it from Pacific Ocean fog. Out of the 9,000 acres in the appellation, some 1,500 are under vine. The principal grapes grown in St. Helena are the Bordeaux grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. St. Helena is considered prime wine producing territory, and it was one of the first important wine producing regions in northern California. The legendary Charles Krug founded his winery just north of the town of St. Helena in 1873, and today the appellation is home to many prestigious producers, including Abreu, Grace Family and Spottswoode.

One of the most widely grown grape varieties, it can be found in nearly every wine growing region. A cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a hardy vine that produces a full-bodied wine with high tannins and great aging potential.