Kenward and Ames source fruit from some of Napa Valley’s very finest sites for these rich, sumptuous wines. In fact, in some cases, site is really what comes through most in the wines. I am thinking in particular of some of the wines from Vine Hill Ranch vineyard I saw this year. Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Bruce Phillips with Tor
This vineyard is part of Tor’s 40-year history in the Napa Valley. He knew its early stewards, Bob and Alex Phillips, who bought the vineyard in 1959 and made it one of Napa Valley’s stars in the 80s and 90s. The vineyard was first planted in 1884 and is a perfect site for Bordeaux varietals.
We now work with their son, Bruce Phillips, in Block 7, where we have an acre of old vine Cabernet Sauvignon and 3D, just beneath the Bond Vecina block, with just over an acre of Cabernet Sauvignon and just under an acre of Petit Verdot.
Always curious, we love to co-ferment the Cabernet and Petit Verdot from this great site. In some years, “Black Magic” has been shaped in this vineyard.
More Vineyards
At TOR, vineyards are the heart and soul of what makes wine so fascinating, absorbing, and challenging. It gives us a rush each year to work with the extraordinary vineyards in our portfolio. We feel very lucky and grateful for our vineyard partners—Beckstoffer To Kalon, Beckstoffer Dr. Crane, Vine Hill Ranch Vineyard, Tierra Roja, Melanson, Hyde, and Beresini.
