Napa used to grow a lot of Riesling, but it has nearly gone extinct in favor of the much more popular and lucrative Cabernet Sauvignon and its cousins. A few select producers have continue to champion the virtues of the grape in the region, none more so than the small mountain winery of Smith-Madrone, perched high on the side of Spring Mountain above St. Helena.
Founded in 1971, Smith-Madrone's wines are made from the estate vineyards surrounding the winery, originally planted 49 years ago by brothers Stuart and Charles Smith. The vineyards are primarily dry-farmed on steep mountainsides surrounding the winery on top of Spring Mountain in the Napa Valley.At elevations between 1,300 and 2,000 feet, the vineyards extend in steepness up to 35% slopes. With its signature deep red Aiken loam soil, SmithMadrone is located near the top of the Spring Mountain District appellation and produces merely 4,000 cases of wine each year.
The winery has been recognized as a pioneer of mountain grape growing and winemaking for many reasons: Smith-Madrone’s first vintage of Riesling, the 1977, won Best Riesling in the Wine Olympics, an international tasting organized by the food and wine magazine Gault Millau in Paris in 1979. This accolade launched the winery’s identity as a pre-eminent producer of Riesling in the United States.
Among many other accolades, Smith-Madrone’s Riesling was named one of the best 20 Rieslings in the world and the only one referenced in North America by British wine writer Stuart Pigott in his 2014 book, The Riesling Story: Best White Wine On Earth. In 1983, Smith-Madrone was the first American Riesling producer to use only the name Riesling on its labels. No other winery did this for the next 15 years. Stu had an extended battle with the then-BATF to change the label from Johannisberg Riesling to Riesling. He explains, “While White Riesling is legally correct, it is nonetheless both wrong and redundant - when was the last time you had a red Riesling? This is just one example of our commitment to this wonderful and somewhat overlooked varietal.”
One of the secrets of Riesling is the wine's ability to transform with age, but few people who aren't serious Riesling nuts get the opportunity to experience that. But here's your chance. Smith-Madrone has generously donated a 12-vintage vertical of their Riesling for this auction item, starting in 2008 and ending in 2019.
The winner of this lot will receive one 750ml bottle each of the following vintages: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019. This item represents a unique and powerful opportunity to experience one of Napa's most singular and distinctive wines through more than a decade of time.
Founded in 1971, Smith-Madrone's wines are made from the estate vineyards surrounding the winery, originally planted 49 years ago by brothers Stuart and Charles Smith. The vineyards are primarily dry-farmed on steep mountainsides surrounding the winery on top of Spring Mountain in the Napa Valley.At elevations between 1,300 and 2,000 feet, the vineyards extend in steepness up to 35% slopes. With its signature deep red Aiken loam soil, SmithMadrone is located near the top of the Spring Mountain District appellation and produces merely 4,000 cases of wine each year.
The winery has been recognized as a pioneer of mountain grape growing and winemaking for many reasons: Smith-Madrone’s first vintage of Riesling, the 1977, won Best Riesling in the Wine Olympics, an international tasting organized by the food and wine magazine Gault Millau in Paris in 1979. This accolade launched the winery’s identity as a pre-eminent producer of Riesling in the United States.
Among many other accolades, Smith-Madrone’s Riesling was named one of the best 20 Rieslings in the world and the only one referenced in North America by British wine writer Stuart Pigott in his 2014 book, The Riesling Story: Best White Wine On Earth. In 1983, Smith-Madrone was the first American Riesling producer to use only the name Riesling on its labels. No other winery did this for the next 15 years. Stu had an extended battle with the then-BATF to change the label from Johannisberg Riesling to Riesling. He explains, “While White Riesling is legally correct, it is nonetheless both wrong and redundant - when was the last time you had a red Riesling? This is just one example of our commitment to this wonderful and somewhat overlooked varietal.”
One of the secrets of Riesling is the wine's ability to transform with age, but few people who aren't serious Riesling nuts get the opportunity to experience that. But here's your chance. Smith-Madrone has generously donated a 12-vintage vertical of their Riesling for this auction item, starting in 2008 and ending in 2019.
The winner of this lot will receive one 750ml bottle each of the following vintages: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019. This item represents a unique and powerful opportunity to experience one of Napa's most singular and distinctive wines through more than a decade of time.
$950 - 7 bids
Minimum Bid Increment:
$50
Value:
$1,200
Donated By:
Smith-Madrone Winery