ANDRÉ TCHELISTCHEFF said, “It takes Rutherford dust to grow great Cabernet.” This has not been missed, but those who love, grow, make, and enjoy drinking Napa Valley Cabernets. The perfect location for a perfect American Cabernet. If you don’t believe that yet, look up land prices.
[All photos are copy written by Jo ‘Diaz. All rights reserved.]
So, with all of the Rutherford Dust Society Landholding Members now being active in the Napa Green Land Program, this is huge, and it also asks this question:
With Premiere Napa Valley wines being the most unique wines made in Napa Valley, and are also some of the very best wines produced anywhere, with innovation being key to the hallmark of the Napa Valley’s wine community, exactly how and why are these wines so different?
Intriguing question, huh? So, I decided to learn more: The twenty-five-year-old organization of growers and vintners in the Rutherford appellation, announced in January 2020, that all of their landholding members are now active in the Napa Green Land program. This makes Rutherford the first appellation association to achieve 100 percent participation in the sustainable winegrowing certification.
This is similar to Sonoma County wanting 100 percent participation in their sustainable program. I don’t believe the 100 percent has been completely achieved. I yet to read about it happening. I’m also confident that they got close, instituting a program years ahead of their end date… Still, an entire AVA the size of Sonoma County? How could that really happen, most especially with some of the smaller wine brands, who can’t afford the staff to jump through so many real and necessary hurdles?
The Rutherford Appellation was designated in 1993, and the Rutherford Dust Society was founded in 1994, by growers and vintners. This is a MUCH smaller region within Napa Valley.
Sonoma County, begin to select areas where it’s already 100 percent, within your macrocosm. It will make others work toward the end goal, for inclusion. Just my humble opinion. I’d love to see this happen
Rutherford Dust Society’s Landholding Members have achieved their goal, and it is a tribute to the legacy of their grape growing, winemaking names, and genealogy resources. Since the late nineteenth century, the growers and vintners of Rutherford have truly played a significant role in the development of Napa Valley, most especially as a world-class winegrowing region.
From their site: Though reminiscent of how Hospice de Beaune wines are produced, the process is uniquely American. The winemakers take a gloves-off approach, often using varieties they may not bottle as a stand-alone, or perhaps a noted white-wine-only house producing a red wine. These wines showcase Napa Valley’s sense of exploration in fine winemaking.
Participating Wineries:
- Alpha Omega
- Amici Cellars
- Beaulieu Vineyard
- Davis Estates
- Fleury Estate Winery
- Flora Springs
- Hewitt Vineyard
- Honig Vineyard and Winery
- Inglenook
- Jean Edwards Cellars
- Long Meadow Ranch
- Monticello Vineyard
- PEJU
- Rutherford Hill Winery
- S. R. Tonella Cellars
- Scattered Peaks
- Sequoia Grove Winery
- St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery
- Sojourn Cellars
- Taub Family Vineyards
- Tres Sabores
- William Harrison Winery
If you attend the Rutherford Dust Society’s Premiere Napa Valley Lot Preview, you’ll have a chance to taste great Cabernets, from these fantastic wineries, with grapes sourced from Rutherford AVA vineyards. There will be 100 percent participation in Napa Green.
Friday, February 21, 2020 | 12-2 p.m. | St. Supéry | 8440 St Helena Hwy, Rutherford
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