Long before French Tasting of 1976, Napa Valley’s story began in the crucible of mission life. In the late 1700s, Father Junípero Serra and other early missionaries planted Mission grapes for sacramental use—not for acclaim. These humble vines set the stage for something greater that would take root in this sunlit valley. Howell Mountain was the first mountain farmed in Napa Valley.
By the mid-1800s, visionaries like George Calvert Yount and Charles Krug were laying down vines of vitis vinifera, including Cabernet Sauvignon—originally imported from Bordeaux’s Gironde. Our Howell Mountain property was planted in the late 1800’s and so began the story on our land.
The valley’s early winemaking class grew quickly, and by the 1880s, Napa was home to over 140 wineries. But adversity followed: the first phylloxera outbreak, economic swings, and Prohibition nearly erased Napa’s progress.
The 20th century brought new energy. By the 1960s, Napa’s Cabernet Sauvignon was finding its voice. Each bottle told a story of land, vision, and perseverance. It was during this time that Mark began farming alongside his father in Napa Valley, forging a multigenerational legacy.
Then came 1976, and the Judgment of Paris. When a Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet outscored the best of Bordeaux in a blind tasting, Napa went from underdog to global contender. Cabernet was no longer Napa’s potential—it was its identity in motion. French winery owners started to purchase Napa Valley land soon after.
Soon after, Robert Mondavi took to Napa Valley by collaborating not just about his winery but introduced consumers to wine all around the globe. He emphasized the importance of passion, hard work, and courage in achieving success, and believed in the power of wine to enhance life and bring people together.
That identity continues to evolve. At Neal Family Vineyards, we’ve long believed Napa’s best wines begin in the vineyard—on land farmed with care, intention, and patience. Our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is rooted in that ethos. Sourced from Howell Mountain and our Rutherford Dust Vineyards, it reflects the natural intensity of mountain fruit with structure and balance that speak to our commitment to organic farming.
This wine isn’t about embellishment—it’s about clarity. Dark cherry and blackcurrant drive the core, framed by the kind of tannin you only get from elevation and well-drained volcanic soil. It’s a wine that knows where it comes from and where it’s going.
As Napa has grown, so has Cabernet Sauvignon. But even as the valley expanded its reach, the foundation has remained the same: soil, sunlight, and stewardship. Cabernet Sauvignon tells a different story in every block. At Neal Vineyards, we focus on letting those differences shine—honestly, cleanly, without interference. Wines that are a true “Sense of Place”.
Field Notes Reflection
Cabernet is not just a grape in Napa—it’s a voice that echoes across the world. One can be shaped by weathered rock, by quiet mornings in the vineyard, by choice made by a single barrel. At Neal Family Vineyards, our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is our interpretation of that voice. It’s not loud, but it’s clear. And it carries with it generations of passion, hard work, and a future that remains firmly rooted.
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