Vineyard: Crowley Vineyards is located at the top of Spring Mountain, 2,000-feet above St.
Helena, in Napa Valley. The soil on the top of this part of the Mayacamas Mountains is a
rich, rusty red volcanic Aiken loam – rocky, well-drained, with broad sloping saddle. Early
mornings are cool and clear overlooking the fog that settles in the valley floor. This weather
pattern creates days that are about 10 degrees cooler than the valley floor with warm
evenings, and cold nights. This unique combination of climate, soil, and the highest rainfall
in Napa Valley, create a unique terroir that is reflected in the lush, intense flavors, fine
structure, and softer tannins produced from the small berries, loose clusters, and low yields
of this mountain fruit.
Biodynamic Farming: Joan Crowley prepared the soil using biodynamic principles – a system of
farming that follows a sustainable, holistic approach which uses only organic, locally-sourced
materials for fertilizing and soil conditioning. She then planted 12 acres of 110R and 1103
Paulson rootstock and used French Entav clones of 337, 338, and 15 Cabernet Sauvignon, and
a small amount of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot clones. The vineyard continues to be farmed
biodynamically according to Rudolph Steiner’s teachings.
Vintage: 2019 The beginning of the 2019 growing season was defined by copious rainfall and late soil
moisture. The long, warm summer saw very few extreme heat events, with foggy mornings setting the
stage for vibrant and expressive wines. The long, relatively mild finish to the season, not without its
moments of unpredictability, helped to preserve freshness and finesse in the fruit with abundant hang time
teasing out great color, structure and soft tannins.
Wine 100% Cabernet Sauvignon: The 2019 Crowley Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain is
a huge wine, but it is also balanced and velvety and loaded with the aspects that make those volcanic soils
so desired for wine grape cultivation. The wine is absolutely opaque with cassis, blue stone, lavender black
flowers and lead pencil all emanating from the glass. This is a very distinct wine, if you love great Spring
Mountain District Cabernet, you’ve come to the right place.