about building the Napa Valley brand (as well as Honig) internationally. “If you had told me a few years ago that we’d be selling wine in Laos or Malaysia, I wouldn’t have believed you; now we’re in twenty-four or twenty- five countries, and I’m not talking about the UK or Germany.” Michael’s wife, Stephanie, who worked for Clicquot, is in charge of developing these international markets, including trips to emerging Asian markets. Like other wineries, Duckhorn had a great harvest in 2012: “The quality and yields couldn’t be better,” says general manager Zack Rasmuson, For Napa Valley wineries, 2012 has been the perfect combination of quality, quantity and sales. especially after two difficult harvests. “2012 reminds me of 1997 in In spite of the new emphasis on wholesale business, Cuvaison’s direct-to- abundance and quality of fruit, if not perhaps as extreme.” consumer sales had a robust year, with positive growth with its two tasting The yields in grapes like Merlot, one of Duckhorn’s signature grapes, put the rooms and our wine club. winery back in balance, though supply will still be tight this year. He expects “We are optimistic that all sales channels will grow in 2013, and our the vines to slack off a little this year after last year’s bounty, however. budget reflects that growth. We will also roll out new packaging for both At Ladera Vineyards on Howell Mountain, Pat Stotesbery says that 2012 Cuvaison and Brandlin wines. While the changes will be relatively minor, was a record year for the winery in all respects. “It was a feel-good year for they will reflect a more contemporary look that is in keeping with the design us. We sold everything we had, and we feel we could have sold even more if of our Carneros winery and tasting room,” he added. we had the wine.” Schramsberg Vineyards is one of Napa Valley’s most respected brands, and Stotesbery says Ladera is taking advantage of a trend for wine lovers to in the last few years, its “other” brands, J. Davies and Davies, have gained move down from more expensive wines and staying with what they’ve found increasing notice, too. That visibility was heightened this year when the Davies even though the economy is improving. Howell Mountain wines are also family bought a former car dealership in south St. Helena and turned it into a gaining increasing respect, further helping the winery, one of few wineries winery to produce its J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon and Davies Pinot Noir. people can visit on Howell Mountain. Up to now, the winery had made the red wines at another winery. ZD Wines is one of the relatively old timers in Napa Valley, and vintner “We got in just in time for harvest,” notes president Hugh Davies. “We Brett de Leuze notes that the third generation of the family is now working at crushed 180 tons of Cabernet and Pinot Noir.” the winery, his nephew Brandon as assistant winemaker and niece Jill handling The Cab comes from the Davies’ property on Diamond Mountain, while California sales. Even his fifteen-year-old son helps on the bottling line. the Pinot comes from cool sites on the Sonoma Coast and in Anderson Working with family is a rare joy these days, but ZD also had an excellent Valley. Davies says that 2012 was a fantastic year for flavors and there was crop in 2012 after two admittedly challenging years. “It’s the year we would plenty of crop. “It was a grower and winery year, and consumers should be have ordered if we could,” he says. It followed two weak years, leaving the happy with the results, too,” he claims. winery with less wine to sell, and it focused more on retail sales to consumers That was especially welcome for the red wines, since 2010 and 2011 were than usual. “We did very well there, but had less wine—especially Napa challenging due to untimely rains that made it difficult to get fruit to ripen Valley Cabernet—for distribution.” In addition to affecting sales in 2012, fully. Fortunately, grapes for sparking wines are picked less ripe, at 19 degrees ZD faces a shortage of wine through 2013. Brix instead of above 24, so they did fine. In upcoming developments, however, the winery is making a new Though enthusiastic over 2012, Davies isn’t expecting such great port-like dessert wine inspired by the family’s new assistant winemaker. It’s conditions in 2013. “The likelihood of another big production year doesn’t made from specific rows of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, seem likely,” he admits. Fortunately, however, he sees continuing increasing Zinfandel, Merlot and Chardonnay, and will give the winery something new demand for premium wines. “I’ve got to believe that growth will continue as to feature to wine club members and visitors. it has since 1993.” Much of the joy in Napa Valley has been focused on the crop, but Davies also notes the advantage we have living in Napa Valley. “Look Cuvaison had another cause to celebrate. In 2012, it took a new route with at the explosion of restaurants and other attractions in downtown Napa! its domestic sales and marketing by bringing it all in-house. Its agreement Nowhere is there greater interest in wine and food than in Napa Valley.” with Terlato came to its natural end on March 31, so they hired five regional For Napa Valley wineries, 2012 has been the perfect combination of managers to help manage its distribution network. “This has proved to be quality, quantity and sales. Most expect 2013 to continue on that roll, even if very positive by having direct communication with that important channel no one expects as glorious a harvest. of our business,” says president Jay Schuppert. 24 w w w. N A PA V A L L E Y L I F E m A g A z I N E . c o m
NVLife Jan-Feb 2013
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