Latest news with #CabernetSauvignon
San Francisco Chronicle
2 days ago
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
How one call from California legend Robert Mondavi changed the fate of this historic winery
For decades, the charming Canard Vineyard has sat in the shadow of its neighbor: the gondola at Sterling Vineyards, one of Napa Valley's biggest tourist attractions. Canard's tiny, unassuming operation, which has some of the oldest, burliest vines in Napa Valley, is the antithesis of Sterling's white-washed mountain perch across the street. 'We've always been kind of under the radar,' said Adam Fox, Canard managing director and partner, 'and that's kind of how we like it.' But that could soon change. Despite its founding in 1983, Canard opened to the public a couple of years ago for the first time, unveiling a fascinating history involving the Donner Party and a fateful phone call from California wine legend Robert Mondavi. Offering a no-frills, old-school experience — complete with two friendly pigs — Canard may finally stand out in a sea of flashy, corporate-owned estates. When Rich Czapleski and his wife, Carolyn, purchased the Calistoga property (1016 Dunaweal Lane), one of the first things they did was hire a vineyard manager, who advised them to rip out the Zinfandel plantings on the property. 'Everyone was pulling out Zin. There was a lot of money (being paid) for the French varieties,' said Fox. Czapleski wanted to plant Bordeaux grapes. But a week later, Czapleski, a stockbroker, received a phone call. Robert Mondavi was on the end of the line, and he was inquiring about Czapleski's plans for the old Zinfandel vines. When Czapleski shared his decision, Mondavi urged him to keep the vines, explaining that 'the history of Napa Valley is right here in this vineyard,' Fox said; Italian immigrants planted many of Napa Valley's early grapes using vine cuttings they brought from home. Over time, Italian grapes were largely replaced with French varieties, like Cabernet Sauvignon, which ultimately put Napa Valley on the map. In the 1960s, when Mondavi was founded and Cabernet Sauvignon began its meteoric rise, acreage grew by more than 450% to over 2,500 acres, according to the California Grape Acreage Report. Today, there are 23,000 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon planted in Napa Valley compared to just 1,300 of Zinfandel. 'He was really adamant about protecting this vineyard,' Fox said of Mondavi. Two days later, Czapleski's phone rang again. Another Napa Valley visionary, Joe Phelps of Joseph Phelps Vineyards, was calling with a similar appeal. 'When you're the new guy in town and Mondavi and Phelps tell you not to pull out that vineyard, you listen to them,' said Fox. 'Those two phone calls literally saved that vineyard.' After Czapleski decided to keep the Zinfandel vines, three Zinfandel heavyweights — Ridge, Ravenswood and Storybook Mountain Vineyards — reached out saying they wanted to buy his grapes. 'He didn't know who to sell it to,' Fox said, so he created a friendly competition. 'He said, 'Give me a bottle of Zinfandel in a brown paper bag and whoever's wine I like the best with the lamb I'm grilling tonight will get the contract.'' Joel Peterson, the famous founder of Ravenswood, won and signed on as Canard's first winemaker as part of the deal. Czapleski replanted the rest of the estate to Bordeaux varieties, but the Zinfandel remains, taking up six of Canard's 23 acres. All of the Zinfandel vines are over 100 years old, and some as old as 140; these may now be the oldest Zinfandel vines in Napa Valley, according to the Old Vine Registry. While mostly Zinfandel, the block was established as a traditional field blend, with between 10 and 15 different Italian varieties interplanted. Because of their age, the vines don't produce much fruit, but Canard has no plans to remove them. 'For economic reasons, we should have ripped them out. Forty-two years later, and they still don't pay for themselves, they don't even cover the farming costs,' said Czapleski. 'But it's not always about money. Sometimes, it's about history.' When guests pull up to Canard, which translates to duck (Czapleski's nickname) in French, they're usually greeted by a pair of rescue pigs: the rambunctious Felix and the docile Wilbur. Stunning gardens, curated by Carolyn Czapleski, a master gardener who once owned a wine shop on the Sonoma Plaza, surround a farmhouse built in 1859. The original owner was Reason P. Tucker, an early Napa Valley settler who led the first rescue effort for the Donner Party trapped by snow in Lake Tahoe. In return, California general and statesman Don Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, who played a pivotal role in California's independence from Mexico, gave him a land grant for the Calistoga property. A social hot spot in its heyday, it's now a quaint hideaway where the Czapleskis live. Tastings ($75-$150) are hosted by Fox or Rich Czapleski, who, at 82, can still be seen driving his tractor through the vineyard. An old garage was converted into a simple, cozy and private tasting room. 'We want to keep the authenticity of what Napa used to be,' said Fox, though the price point is more in line with modern day. 'To me, that's farmers and winemakers, and it seems like that's changed a little bit.' Fox would know. When he met Czapleski in 2010, he'd just left a job at a corporate winery. 'It felt like a machine. The tasting bar was three people deep. It felt like there was nothing but tour buses,' he said. 'It didn't feel like the Napa in my head.' But when he stepped onto the Canard estate for the first time, he said it fit 'that image in my head of what a real Napa winery is.' He called Czapleski over and over, trying to convince him to turn Canard into a more serious business endeavor. At the time, Czapleski was semi-retired, selling most of the grapes and keeping a small amount for the Canard label. Fox ultimately won him over at a lunch, during which Czapleski said he 'hired him on the spot.' Fox became a partner in Canard, which now produces just under 4,000 cases of wine, including three Bordeaux blends and two Zinfandels — which Czapleski described as 'more elegant' than the stereotypical 'big, jammy, fruity' Zinfandels — annually. The winery doesn't make any white wines, but does have a rosé that's a rare blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and 100-year-old Zinfandel grapes, a 'red wine drinker's rosé,' said Fox. When he came on board, Fox wanted to host tastings at the property immediately, but the permitting process took years. Yet the timing may have been just right, coinciding with a noticeable shift in the industry: Some wine drinkers are trading lavish lounges and caviar pairings for more casual, unpretentious experiences that hearken back to Napa's early days of wine tourism. 'When you come down this driveway and an old guy on a tractor pours you a glass of wine, you taste the authenticity, that pride that goes into putting their name on the label,' Fox said, noting that Czapleski's personal phone number is also printed on it. 'He's the real deal.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
A Napa Valley Estate With 13 Acres of Grape Vines Just Hit the Market for $21 Million
Oenophiles with a taste for the contemporary now have the chance to snap up a modern vineyard estate in the heart of Napa Valley. The $21 million wine country spread is located in the town of St. Helena, California, and for those interested in making their own bottles, the 13.6-acre vineyard is planted with more than eight acres of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and more than five acres of Zinfandel vines, some dating back to 1935 and 1979. Cyd Greer of Coldwell Banker Brokers of the Valley holds the listing. More from Robb Report This $72.5 Million Utah Ranch's 7,000+ Rugged Acres Include a Backcountry Camp Jeff Bezos Has Changed the Location of His Extravagant Venice Wedding Following Protests Wealthy Europeans Moving to Tax Havens Are Getting Hit With Exit Charges From Their Home Countries At the heart of the property is a 7,500-square-foot estate that offers five bedrooms and 7.5 baths. Field Architecture designed the abode, with interiors courtesy of Shawback Design. The two collaborated on a cedar-wrapped home with a light-filled interior, emphasized by the use of polished concrete floors, plaster walls, and wire-brushed white-oak cabinetry throughout. The great room makes an impression with its open-beam cathedral ceiling and a custom hand-blown glass chandelier over the dining table. A pop of color is added in the blue butler's pantry, which includes wine storage and a built-in espresso machine. RELATED: A Craft Whiskey Maker's Idyllic Coastal California Vineyard Estate Can Be Yours for $6.9 Million Gas fireplaces keep things cozy in both the formal living room and the family room, while hallways lined with floor-to-ceiling windows lead to the sleeping quarters. The primary suite sports vineyard views and a private terrace for basking in the warm NorCal weather. The additional four bedrooms get their own bathrooms, too. The main residence is completed by a laundry/mud room that draws on the same rich blue tone found in the pantry. Outside, there's a covered limestone dining terrace with overhead heat lamps for taking the nip off chilly nights and a lounge area for watching TV. The home and its ancillary structures are built in a U-shape around the pool and spa. The pool house's central room can double as a gym, with a custom ocean mural along one wall. There's a full bathroom as well, along with an outdoor shower for quick rinse-offs. Farther out on the grounds, you'll find a 1,300-square-foot barn with massive pocket doors and a custom glass and metal chandelier that makes a statement even from several yards off. While the building is meant as a nod to the land's agricultural roots, this one is for play rather than work: It's set up for lounging and dining inside, with a wet bar for mixing up drinks and an outdoor fire pit perfect for making s'mores. Best of Robb Report The 10 Priciest Neighborhoods in America (And How They Got to Be That Way) In Pictures: Most Expensive Properties Click here to read the full article.
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
WX Brands Launches ‘Here By Chance,' Wine Made for Life's Spontaneous Moments
NOVATO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 24, 2025-- WX Brands is proud to announce the launch of Here By Chance, a brand that celebrates spontaneity and serendipity while delivering exceptional quality. Here By Chance toasts to life's unplanned moments with its inaugural item, an award-winning Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: WX Brands today announced the launch of Here By Chance, a new Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon that celebrates spontaneity while delivering exceptional quality. In addition to quality, today's premium wine shoppers crave an emotional connection with the brands they support. Here By Chance was created for this new generation through its celebration of unplanned moments and spontaneous occasions. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans have on average four hours per day for leisure activities and of those four hours, only 30 mins per day for socializing. Here By Chance encourages people to make the most of these rare opportunities for connection, believing that serendipitous moments and spontaneous experiences bring us together and lead to meaningful discoveries. One such example is Paso Robles' origin story – a region unintentionally stumbled upon by Spanish explorers. 'Here by Chance represents an exciting evolution in the WX Brands portfolio,' says Patrick Cramb, Vice President of Marketing at WX Brands. 'We've identified a shift in buying behavior where wine selection is driven by brand connection and storytelling just as much as the varietal and region. It's exciting to have created a powerful narrative that resonates with today's consumers – we're able to deliver both the emotional appeal that drives purchase decisions and incredible quality in the bottle.' The wine is crafted by award-winning Central Coast winemaker, Kip Lorenzetti, who has spent his career honing his talents in the region. His credentials include serving as lead winemaker for Chronic Cellars, known for its iconic Paso wines with bold character. 'After more than a decade crafting wines throughout the Central Coast region, I've learned that great Cabernet Sauvignon is about balance, vibrancy, and a sense of adventure,' says Lorenzetti. 'Here By Chance is made for wine drinkers who appreciate bold, expressive flavors and are always ready for the next unexpected adventure.' Data confirms that Paso Robles continues to captivate both consumers and the wine industry alike. Nestled in the heart of California's Central Coast, the region has grown from just 50 wineries to over 200 in the last 25 years, making it California's fastest-growing American Viticultural Area (AVA). The terroir, characterized by a Mediterranean climate, produces world-renowned Cabernet Sauvignon due to its mineral-rich soils, hot days, and cool nights that allow for longer growing seasons. The inaugural 2022 vintage has captivating notes of cassis and cedar along with the classic Paso Robles 'dust'. Every sip is textured with bold tannins, providing structure, a lush mouthfeel, and a luxurious finish. Here By Chance is rolling out onto shelves nationwide this summer with a suggested retail price of $24.99. For more information on Here By Chance, visit and follow along on Instagram at @herebychancewines. About WX Brands: Established in 1999, WX Brands offers a unique portfolio of wine brands that are sold both domestically and globally. WX Brands also develops exclusive wine brands for retailers around the world. Products are sourced from 14 countries and sold in 20 countries resulting in over 4 million cases sold worldwide. In February 2019, Wine Business Monthly named WX Brands #18 among the Top 50 US wine companies. View source version on CONTACT: Media Contact: Ana Cahuas, Double Forte [email protected] KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: RETAIL FOOD/BEVERAGE WINE & SPIRITS SOURCE: WX Brands Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 06/24/2025 05:01 AM/DISC: 06/24/2025 05:01 AM
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
WX Brands Launches ‘Here By Chance,' Wine Made for Life's Spontaneous Moments
The premium Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon invites consumers to embrace serendipity. NOVATO, Calif., June 24, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WX Brands is proud to announce the launch of Here By Chance, a brand that celebrates spontaneity and serendipity while delivering exceptional quality. Here By Chance toasts to life's unplanned moments with its inaugural item, an award-winning Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon. In addition to quality, today's premium wine shoppers crave an emotional connection with the brands they support. Here By Chance was created for this new generation through its celebration of unplanned moments and spontaneous occasions. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans have on average four hours per day for leisure activities and of those four hours, only 30 mins per day for socializing. Here By Chance encourages people to make the most of these rare opportunities for connection, believing that serendipitous moments and spontaneous experiences bring us together and lead to meaningful discoveries. One such example is Paso Robles' origin story – a region unintentionally stumbled upon by Spanish explorers. "Here by Chance represents an exciting evolution in the WX Brands portfolio," says Patrick Cramb, Vice President of Marketing at WX Brands. "We've identified a shift in buying behavior where wine selection is driven by brand connection and storytelling just as much as the varietal and region. It's exciting to have created a powerful narrative that resonates with today's consumers – we're able to deliver both the emotional appeal that drives purchase decisions and incredible quality in the bottle." The wine is crafted by award-winning Central Coast winemaker, Kip Lorenzetti, who has spent his career honing his talents in the region. His credentials include serving as lead winemaker for Chronic Cellars, known for its iconic Paso wines with bold character. "After more than a decade crafting wines throughout the Central Coast region, I've learned that great Cabernet Sauvignon is about balance, vibrancy, and a sense of adventure," says Lorenzetti. "Here By Chance is made for wine drinkers who appreciate bold, expressive flavors and are always ready for the next unexpected adventure." Data confirms that Paso Robles continues to captivate both consumers and the wine industry alike. Nestled in the heart of California's Central Coast, the region has grown from just 50 wineries to over 200 in the last 25 years, making it California's fastest-growing American Viticultural Area (AVA). The terroir, characterized by a Mediterranean climate, produces world-renowned Cabernet Sauvignon due to its mineral-rich soils, hot days, and cool nights that allow for longer growing seasons. The inaugural 2022 vintage has captivating notes of cassis and cedar along with the classic Paso Robles "dust". Every sip is textured with bold tannins, providing structure, a lush mouthfeel, and a luxurious finish. Here By Chance is rolling out onto shelves nationwide this summer with a suggested retail price of $24.99. For more information on Here By Chance, visit and follow along on Instagram at @herebychancewines. About WX Brands: Established in 1999, WX Brands offers a unique portfolio of wine brands that are sold both domestically and globally. WX Brands also develops exclusive wine brands for retailers around the world. Products are sourced from 14 countries and sold in 20 countries resulting in over 4 million cases sold worldwide. In February 2019, Wine Business Monthly named WX Brands #18 among the Top 50 US wine companies. View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Ana Cahuas, Double Forteacahuas@
Business Wire
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
WX Brands Launches ‘Here By Chance,' Wine Made for Life's Spontaneous Moments
NOVATO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- WX Brands is proud to announce the launch of Here By Chance, a brand that celebrates spontaneity and serendipity while delivering exceptional quality. Here By Chance toasts to life's unplanned moments with its inaugural item, an award-winning Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon. In addition to quality, today's premium wine shoppers crave an emotional connection with the brands they support. Here By Chance was created for this new generation through its celebration of unplanned moments and spontaneous occasions. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans have on average four hours per day for leisure activities and of those four hours, only 30 mins per day for socializing. Here By Chance encourages people to make the most of these rare opportunities for connection, believing that serendipitous moments and spontaneous experiences bring us together and lead to meaningful discoveries. One such example is Paso Robles' origin story – a region unintentionally stumbled upon by Spanish explorers. "Here by Chance represents an exciting evolution in the WX Brands portfolio," says Patrick Cramb, Vice President of Marketing at WX Brands. "We've identified a shift in buying behavior where wine selection is driven by brand connection and storytelling just as much as the varietal and region. It's exciting to have created a powerful narrative that resonates with today's consumers – we're able to deliver both the emotional appeal that drives purchase decisions and incredible quality in the bottle.' The wine is crafted by award-winning Central Coast winemaker, Kip Lorenzetti, who has spent his career honing his talents in the region. His credentials include serving as lead winemaker for Chronic Cellars, known for its iconic Paso wines with bold character. "After more than a decade crafting wines throughout the Central Coast region, I've learned that great Cabernet Sauvignon is about balance, vibrancy, and a sense of adventure," says Lorenzetti. 'Here By Chance is made for wine drinkers who appreciate bold, expressive flavors and are always ready for the next unexpected adventure." Data confirms that Paso Robles continues to captivate both consumers and the wine industry alike. Nestled in the heart of California's Central Coast, the region has grown from just 50 wineries to over 200 in the last 25 years, making it California's fastest-growing American Viticultural Area (AVA). The terroir, characterized by a Mediterranean climate, produces world-renowned Cabernet Sauvignon due to its mineral-rich soils, hot days, and cool nights that allow for longer growing seasons. The inaugural 2022 vintage has captivating notes of cassis and cedar along with the classic Paso Robles 'dust'. Every sip is textured with bold tannins, providing structure, a lush mouthfeel, and a luxurious finish. Here By Chance is rolling out onto shelves nationwide this summer with a suggested retail price of $24.99. For more information on Here By Chance, visit and follow along on Instagram at @herebychancewines. About WX Brands: Established in 1999, WX Brands offers a unique portfolio of wine brands that are sold both domestically and globally. WX Brands also develops exclusive wine brands for retailers around the world. Products are sourced from 14 countries and sold in 20 countries resulting in over 4 million cases sold worldwide. In February 2019, Wine Business Monthly named WX Brands #18 among the Top 50 US wine companies.
