WINES
The Vineyardist wines are crafted from biodynamically-grown small lots on our historic Diamond Mountain estate. The Vineyardist is a First Growth Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Our first five vintages, 2004 – 2008, were declassified, as they did not yet meet our exacting standards.
Our commitment is only to release wine that reflects the enormous potential of the Estate and essence of the Diamond Mountain District. Production is limited, varying between 1,000-1,250 cases per year, depending on the selection and vintage.
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THE VINEYARDIST 2019 CALARCADIA VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON
The 2019 Vineyardist Calarcadia is our original “flagship” wine. It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon produced from the finest micro-blocks on the Estate’s volcanic ridge. The 2019 vintage was grown under nearly perfect conditions.
The result is a powerful and aromatic expression of blackberries, cocoa nibs, Chambord and cedar, with notes of espresso, mulberries and vanilla extract. At mid-palate, one sense primary flavors of warm blackberry pie, ripe plums, raspberry, sage and crushed rocks, followed by hints of baker’s chocolate, forest floor and herbes de provence!
The hallmark of The Vineyardist is always the long, layered finish and sweet precise tannins. Both excel in this 2019 vintage, delivering a wine that should age effortlessly for 45+ years.
99 points, Jeb Dunnuck
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THE VINEYARDIST 2019 NOTRE MYSTERE
The 2019 Notre Mystere is a rare, new Bordeaux blend from The Vineyardist. It is a blend of 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, a marriage that works brilliantly.
The result is an inviting combination of the soft, spicy feminie elements of the Cabernet Franc fruit and the bold, powerful masculine influences of the Cabernet Sauvignon fruit. Winemaker Tony Biagi encouraged us to make this blend once he tasted the Cabernet Franc from our 2016 vineyard expansion. The flavorful expression includes notes of mocha, spice box, coffee, complex red and black fruits and dried flowers that are all wrapped together by potent yet elegant tannins. This 2019 “is off the charts” and will evolve beautifully for the next 25 years.
98 points, Antonio Galloni, vinous.com
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THE VINEYARDIST 2019 HERITAGE RIDGE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
The 2019 Heritage Ridge Vineyardist is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grown from our one (1) acre vineyard situated on a steep, iron-rich Aiken soils near the Estate’s historic Victorian farmhouse.
The wine is an amazing tribute to Terroir! This unique brand of loamy, Aikn soils – much different from our rocky volcanic Calarcadia ridge – produces an alluring wine. The aromatic landscape it titanic showing red fruit aromas of bing cherry, rose petals and créme de cassis, with secondary aromas of pain grille, pencil shavings and fresh leather. On the palate, flavors of cherry pie filling, cinnamon, fresh tobacco leaf and burning embers prevail. The tannins are present but are sweet, velvety and polished, yielding a very unique small production elegant wine from The Vineyardist. The 2019 Heritage Ridge will age gracefully for 40+ years.
97 points, JebDunnuck.com
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THE VINEYARDIST 2018 CALARCADIA VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON
“The 2018 Vineyardist Calacardia is our flagship wine from the Estate’s oldest vineyard blocks located on a volcanic ridge high atop Diamond Mountain. The 2018 vintage was grown under nearly perfect conditions allowing long hang times yet preserving acidity and minerality. Yields were low at 1 1/2 tons per acre delivering small, intense fruit clusters.
The result is a powerful, layered aromatic expression of mountain berries, blood orange, cherry infused dark chocolate, black currants, graphite and fresh wildflowers. Hints of crushed rocks, charcoal, licorice, and desert sage add further complexity. Seamlessly concentrated and opulent, the tannins reveal grip and substance, but finish soft and velvety, giving this wine elegance and sophistication. The 2018 Calacardia should drink effortlessly for over the next 40+ years.”
98+ points, JebDunnuck.com
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THE VINEYARDIST 2018 HERITAGE RIDGE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
“The Vineyardist 2018 Heritage Ridge is our single vineyard wine grown on Aiken loam soils located on a steep, terraced block behind the Estate’s Victorian farmhouse. The iron rich soils allow us to dry-farm this historic vineyard dating from 1874. The 2018 Heritage Ridge grapes were harvested at an incredibly low yield of 1 ton per acre and barrel aged in 100% new French oak.
The result is perhaps the finest Heritage Ridge yet produced. The aromatic landscape is immense with candied black raspberries, black plums, ultra-ripe strawberries, dried Herbs de Provence and licorice. Notes of lavender, mocha, iron and new leather add complexity to this heavenly array of aromas. The tannins are abundant but extremely rounded providing nuance and balance. While delicious now, the 2018 Heritage Ridge will age gracefully for 35+ years.”
Tony Biagi, Winemaker
99 points, JebDunnuck.com
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THE VINEYARDIST 2017 CALARCADIA VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON
The 2017 Vineyardist is our flagship wine from our oldest vineyard situated on volcanic hillsides atop Diamond Mountain. Grapes were harvested at yields close to 1 1/2 tons per acre and barrel aged for 22 months in 100% new French oak. The result is a seductive and complex wine and spectacular aromatics of ripe blackberries, spice box, candied black cherries, violets, crushed stones and pen ink. Hints of espresso bean, rose petals, new suede leather and Christmas fruitcake fill out this fragrant landscape. The mid-palate is dense and rich with terrific fruit extract revealing loads of minerality, earth notes and créme de cassis. This elegance is enhanced by the substantial tannins, which are supple and velvety, making for a beautifully balanced wine. While delicious now, this will be a wine to enjoy for more than three decades.
97+ points, Antonio Galloni, vinous.com
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THE VINEYARDIST 2016 CALARCADIA VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON
The 2016 Vineyardist is our flagship wine from Estate fruit grown on our volcanic hillsides. The result is a powerful, aromatic expression of mountain berries, black currants, boysenberry preserves and fresh wildflowers. Hints of licorice, crushed rocks, desert sage, forest floor and infused dark chocolate add further complexity and excitement. This wine has seamlessly concentrated and opulent tannins that reveal grip and structure, yet finish soft and velvety. The 2016 Vineyardist will age effortlessly for 30+ years.
99+ points, JebDunnuck.com
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THE VINEYARDIST 2016 HERITAGE RIDGE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
The 2016 Heritage Ridge is our vineyard designate wine from Estate fruit grown on Aiken loam soils. The result is immense aromatics featuring Black Forest cake, warm plums, Christmas pudding and mocha notes. Hints of blackberry preserves, star anise, mountain chaparral and créme de cassis add freshness and finesse. The palate is full and rich with layers of earth flavors. The finish is long and mineral driven, demonstrating grace and decadence allowing the wine to age easily for 25+ years.
98 points, Wine Advocate
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THE VINEYARDIST 2016 LAZY SUSAN RANCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON
The Vineyardist 2016 LSR is a wine of power and finesse that expresses a sense of place with resounding concentration and depth. Strikingly intense aromas of blueberries, blackberry liqueur, licorice, crème de cassis and ripe plums appear on the nose followed by sweet tannins expressing red currants, burning embers, graphite, crushed rocks and bacon. The lush, succulent finish lasts well over 30 seconds.
Mark Herold, Winemaker
THE VINEYARDIST 2018 SAUVIGNON BLANC
This wine expresses enticing primary aromas of orange blossom, ripe melon, lemon zest and essence of lime, followed by hints of wet stones and French lavender. At mid-palate, notes of honeysuckle, spring flowers and vanilla combine with wonderful acidity and a rich, creamy texture.
Tony Biagi, Winemaker
