KNIGHTS VALLEY
Knights Valley is a remote winegrowing region bridging Sonoma and Napa Counties. It’s an untamed landscape defined by
rugged mountains, steep hillsides, placid meadows and abundant wildlife. Even though this AVA has produced some of the
world’s greatest wines, it is still a mystery to most. Set along the flanks and foothills of Mount St. Helena and the Mayacamas
Mountains, this rustic sanctuary possesses the sparse volcanic soils and ideal climate needed to produce elegant, profound and
age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignons.
HELENA DAKOTA VINEYARD
This 12.4 acre vineyard runs southwest to northeast on the western side of Mount Saint Helena, with slopes of up to 15 degrees.
Prevailing westerly winds pass over a large, cold pond and blow uphill, parallel to the rows of vines. These cooling breezes slow
down the ripening of the grapes and result in wines that are packed with richness, complexity and balance. A pure mountain
stream and rocky ridge separate this vineyard from our Helena Montana vineyard.
VIGNERON NOTES
Replenishing winter rains ushered an exceptional start to the 2018 growing season, leading to a lengthy budbreak and flowering,
with nearly perfect fruit-set throughout a cool spring. Warm weather and bright sunshine settled in by June, but the nights remained
very cool, and the season progressed without any major heat spikes. These ideal conditions continued well into the fall, leading to
even ripening of tannins, sugar levels, and acidity. The 2018 Helena Dakota is characteristically fragrant, opulent, and complex,
bursting with fresh blueberry and black currant, Crème de Violette, and subtle fresh bay leaf aromatics. The palate is luxurious and
rich, perfectly balancing this wine’s firm structure, and driving to a long finish of dark baking chocolate and luscious dark fruit.