The view east as fog rolls down Napa Valley

Casanova enjoying a foggy morning at Diamond Mountain

Bud break in the vineyard

Summer sun on the lower block

Jess helps drive the tractor...

View from the top of Diamond Mountain

DIAMOND MOUNTAIN

Surrounded by redwood and fir trees, our Diamond Mountain vineyard sits above the north end of Napa Valley at the tip of the Mayacamas range. Late evening winds and cooler weather systems make their way inland from the coast, creating an inversion layer that tends to make this site warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. These patterns allow for a slightly longer growing season, which means the fruit can hang longer on the vine and gain phenolic ripeness at lower sugar levels.

Appellation
Diamond Mountain District, Napa Valley

Elevation
Lower block: 1,200 feet / Upper block: 1,300 feet

Acreage
Lower block: 3.4 acres / Upper block: .6 acres

Soil
Volcanic soils, rhyolitic ash

Varietals
Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine
Meanmouth Cabernet 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

The view to the ocean

Preparing to pick the Fort Ross-Seaview vineyard at sunrise

Seven Pillars Syrah on the vine

Kara stomping the Syrah

Hard Six Cellars

Fort Ross-Seaview vineyard: view on Google Earth

FORT ROSS-SEAVIEW

At the end of miles of twisting canyon roads, our Fort Ross-Seaview vineyard is nestled deep within the mountain ridges of the Outer Coast range. Above the fog line just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean, the vines experience the extreme coastal weather and diurnal temperature swings characteristic of the Sonoma Coast. This is one of the coolest climates for grape growing in California. The long growing season and extreme shifts in temperature make it one of the most difficult areas to farm, but the reward is the complexity of the fruit.

Appellation
Fort Ross-Seaview, West Sonoma Coast

Elevation
Stretches from 1,250 to 1,350 feet

Acreage
3 acres planted to Syrah
4.6 acres in the process of being re-grafted to other varietals

Soil
Mixture of shale and gravel

Varietals
Syrah, Pinot Noir (to be grafted soon)

Wine
Seven Pillars Syrah - Jess' Block 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

Seven Pillars Syrah 2014

Beautiful view west from our Hennessey Ridge vineyard

Warm afternoon sunshine on the vines

The Meanmouth Cabernet grapes in full blossom stage

Wayne and crew harvesting our first vintage

Sorting the fruit before crushing

This aerial view shows Hennessey Ridge above its namesake lake

HENNESSEY RIDGE

On a southwest-facing ridge of the Vaca Mountain range and high above its namesake lake, our Hennessey Ridge vineyard enjoys high elevation sunshine and late afternoon heat. Surrounded by mature oaks with views towards Pritchard Hill and Howell Mountain, this is rocky and rugged terrain that shapes the east side of Napa Valley. It is traditionally a hotter climate, sitting above the fog line, which reduces disease pressure and produces smaller, intensely flavored fruit.

Appellation
Napa Valley

Elevation
1160 feet

Acreage
1 acre

Soil
Sobrante loam on Franciscan bedrock

Varietals
Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine
Meanmouth Cabernet 2012, 2013

Hard Six Cabernet 2014, 2015