2013 Dana Estates Hershey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Dana Estates was started in 2005 when Hi Sang Lee, a South Korean businessman and wine importer, bought a winery and vineyard in Rutherford, Napa Valley, and started his own label. Lee built an impressive new winery and named his enterprise Dana, which is Sanskrit for “spirit of generosity.” Lee hired Philippe Melka as his winemaker and the label’s first release was the 2005 vintage. The aim is to make world class Cabernet Sauvignon in very limited quantities of 300 to 400 cases annually, though Lee has said he eventually expects to produce up to 2,000 cases a year. Dana makes three single vineyard Cabs from the Helms, Hershey and Lotus Vineyards. It also makes Onda, a mostly Cabernet Sauvignon blend of grapes from the various vineyards.

Howell Mountain AVA in Northeastern Napa Valley was the first of Napa Valley’s sub-appellations, earning its own designation in 1984, just a year after Napa Valley became an appellation. As the name suggests, the AVA is in one of the highest elevations in the area. Every vineyard in the appellation is at least 1,400 feet above sea level. Some vineyards are as high as 2,200 feet and because of their altitude most of the AVA’s vineyards receive more sun than vineyards at lower elevations, which are affected by fog from the Pacific Ocean and the San Pablo Bay. Howell Mountain was home to vineyards in the late 19th century, but winemaker Randy Dunn is considered the area’s most influential modern pioneer. Dunn moved to Howell Mountain in 1979, acquired property and began making exceptionally rich Cabernet Sauvignon. The AVA also grows Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. There are 600 vineyard acres within Howell Mountain AVA.

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.