2019 The Prisoner Wine Company The Prisoner Pinot Noir

The Prisoner Wine Company was founded in 2000 by Dave Phinney, a winemaker with a flair for entrepreneurship. In the late 1990s he founded Orin Swift Cellars, which quickly earned compliments for its Zinfandels and other big, flavorful wines. Part of Phinney’s business model is a creative approach to labels, and his Prisoner labels were inspired by the etchings of Francisco Jose de Goya, a Spanish artist who documented the ravages of war. In 2010 The Prisoner Wine Company was purchased by Agustin Huneeus, a long-time wine industry executive who owns Quintessa in Napa Valley, among other wineries around the world. In 2016 Constellation Brands bought The Prisoner from Huneeus Vintners. Prisoner wines are made from grapes sourced throughout California. Jen Beloz is winemaker. Beloz worked at Ravenswood for a decade before joining The Prisoner Wine Company. Though the company makes several wines, its namesake wine is The Prisoner, a blend inspired by the tastes of the Italian immigrants who first made wine in Napa Valley. The Prisoner is generally a blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah and Charbono. Wine Advocate notes that Prisoner wines “are distinctive, creative blends of exceptionally high quality…. that deliver lots of hedonistic joy and satisfaction.”

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.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.