Back in 1996 when my family purchased our Oakville Estate, my father had a vision for what he wanted to create. He immediately began the arduous process of replanting the vineyards to align with his generational endeavor — and now, we’re fortunate to release our 22nd vintage from the same vines he planted at the beginning of this journey for our family.
I’ve grown up alongside these vines. As they’ve aged and grown wiser, so have I — they’re more nuanced than in their youth, primed to tell both a delicate and intriguing story about the terroir from which they come. We know these vines. We planted them, and most importantly, we helped them grow. By listening carefully, we’ve learned from them. Vines are a gift from Mother Nature — completely natural, not fabricated, not manipulated. The wines from these vines are raw beauty, grown in a real place, harvested from the earth, and crafted by real people.
In a world where choices are endless, it is easy to forget the weight our choices can carry. The ultimate luxury in life is that of choice. We believe the choices we make matter deeply — not only for the health of our land and our team, but most importantly, for the people who will eventually enjoy our wine. Farming organically and biodynamically is not just a sustainable practice; it’s what is best for our land, our community, our team, and ultimately for you. Every choice we make, whether in the vineyard or in the cellar, aims to elevate the quality at every turn so our wines can be shared, and savored, around the world.
We feel fortunate to have planted our vines in an appellation celebrated across the globe for its extraordinary wines. Oakville stands as a cornerstone of the American viticulture movement, embodying innovation and excellence. Here, we share a collective commitment to elevating the quality of our wines at every opportunity. I can tell you without compunction, the 2021 Rudd Oakville Estate is the best wine we’ve ever made from this Estate. We’ve taken the time to learn from our land, innovate upon our practices, and constantly analyze the intricacies of our wine, striving to perfect it with each vintage. The blending process—the final stage of creation—represents our last opportunity to shape something truly remarkable. And this wine is exceptional.
Of all the vines planted in the world, only 1% are planted above 1500 feet elevation. Our 2023 Rudd Mt. Veeder Estate Sauvignon Blanc, grown on steep hillsides, gives us a rare glimpse into winemaking from such an elevated and unique site. The depth of layers in this wine, the richness and complexity, the refined texture and minerality, creates a crescendo worth studying.
With each passing vintage, I increasingly value the artistry involved in crafting our wine, and the creativity of the incredible team behind it. The commitment to intentionality at every step of the process has brought my team and me a profound sense of fulfillment—a joy that only creation can provide. What you do with time, time will respect. We deeply appreciate the luxury of choice, and we have chosen to craft these wines in a thoughtful way, composing singular choices made over multiple years to create a symphony of flavors in a signature style, synonymous with our Oakville and Mt. Veeder Estates. We’re grateful for your support of our wines and for being a part of this journey to make truly exceptional wines.
All the best,
The 2021 vintage was a gift from Mother Nature. The year commenced with little rain, leading to an early budbreak with the second year of drought conditions in Napa Valley. Mild spring temperatures allowed for an easy renewal to the growing season with temperatures rising in the summer months, accelerating the start of harvest. The Oakville Estate harvest started on August 27th, with optimally balanced Cabernet Sauvignon blocks ready to be picked over the course of three weeks. The Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot vines were harvested mid-September, with the final pick on September 20th. A small yielding vintage revealed wines of great concentration and flavor with selective barrels composing our Rudd Oakville Estate Red.
The 2021 Rudd Oakville Estate Red is a truly rarified wine. Strikingly deep in ruby to purple hues, the inviting blend of recently picked red and black currants, black cherries, and earl grey tea are distinctly layered with dried rosemary and herbs de Provence. Additional hints of fresh pencil shavings, sweet violet flowers, and light cinnamon wrap up the intricate aromatic bouquet. The entry upon the palate delivers a harmonious profile of bright and concentrated currants and plums, accented by dark cocoa and freshly ground espresso. Light black olive tones and anise add savory depth, while vibrantly threaded acidity enhances the wine’s freshness and persistence through the finish. Balanced and dusty tannins are present, providing precise structure with the impressive concentration and density of flavors, amplifying the wine’s length, leaving a lasting and elegant finish. With refined structure and a remarkable freshness, there is endless aging potential.
The 2023 vintage was one of the longest growing seasons in more than a decade. With steady and mild weather throughout the season, coupled with a balanced crop load, the 2023 had all the hallmarks of a memorable vintage. Winter and spring rains led to saturated soils and optimal timing for budbreak. Idyllic spring weather maintained healthy canopy growth through bloom and set, while relatively cool weather throughout the growing season allowed sugar accumulation and phenolic ripeness to occur in tandem. The first pick of Sauvignon Blanc occurred on September 2nd, which traditionally is picked in mid-August. Harvest continued at the Estate over the next 18 days, with the Sauvignon Gris pick taking place on September 11th, and the final pick of Semillon on September 20th.
Vivid and brilliant in the glass, the 2023 Rudd Mt. Veeder Estate Sauvignon Blanc reveals elegant and nuanced aromas, commencing with freshly picked sweet green peas, fragrant white citrus blossoms, and delicate toasty undertones. The depth of layers is truly astounding with first-of-the-season nectarines, tropical notes of guava, and kaffir limes, all complemented by the balanced mineral tones which add captivating sophistication. This wine greets you with a fresh and vibrant entry, showcasing bracing Meyer lemon and underripe cantaloupe, rounded out with a sweetness of white peaches. Notes of freshly baked brioche and a touch of honey add richness and complexity throughout the mid-palate, while a smooth texture is precisely balanced by a hint of salinity and wet stone minerality as the wine continues too crescendo. The finish is remarkably long, leaving a lasting impression that encourages one to go back and revisit repeatedly.