2013 Bedrock Wine Company Oakville Farmhouse Heritage

Bedrock Wine Co. was founded in 2007 in a Sonoma chicken coop. But it’s not an exaggeration to say that Morgan Twain-Peterson, Bedrock’s founder and winemaker, has been in the wine business since birth. His father is Joel Peterson, founder of Ravenswood, the iconoclastic Sonoma producer known for powerhouse Zinfandel, and Morgan began blending his own wine at age five. After college in New York, Morgan worked in various areas of the wine industry before returning to California and starting Bedrock, named for one his family’s vineyards. He sources grapes from Bedrock and other vineyards throughout the region and often seeks out old vine vineyards. Bedrock’s flagship wine is the Bedrock Heritage, usually a blend of mostly Zinfandel and Carignan. Bedrock also makes Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and many red and white blends. Reviews have been highly complimentary. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that Twain-Peterson “has hit the wine scene with a bang, producing vibrant, personality-filled, delicious wines from extremely old vines and, in some cases, virtually unknown grapes, such as Aubun, Teredalgo, Trousseau Noir, Le Noir, Mission, Trousseau Gris, Grand Noir and Abouriou, as well as Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Grenache, Carignan, Alicante Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Tempranillo. Many of these sites are heritage terroirs from the ancient past which, until Peterson's arrival, were largely ignored or were co-mingled into some innocuous industrial blend. Bedrock's portfolio is filled with exciting wines.” Twain-Peterson has earned the distinction of becoming a Master of Wine by successfully completing the rigorous program at The Institute of Masters of Wine. It is one of the mostly highly regarded qualifications in the world of fine wine.

Oakville AVA is one of the two or three most prestigious appellations in the United States. Located in the heart of Napa Valley, its 5,000 vineyard acres produce some of the world’s most acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon, including such California “cult” Cabs as Screaming Eagle and Harlan Estate. Before those boutique producers rose to fame in the 1990s, Oakville was already renowned as home to Robert Mondavi, Opus One and Groth Vineyards, among others. Along with the famous wineries, there are premier vineyards in this AVA, including Martha’s Vineyard and To Kalon Vineyard. To Kalon was first planted in 1868 by H.W. Crabb, one of California’s first viticultural researchers, and he named the vineyard after the ancient Greek phrase for “most beautiful.” Though many grapes can be successfully grown in Oakville, Cabernet Sauvignon is king. Merlot and Chardonnay are also frequently planted. Oakville Cabs are prized for their richness, complexity and weight. Oakville was designated as an AVA in 1993.