For more than four decades, the Chappellet family has been crafting world-class wines from fruit cultivated on the steep, rocky slopes of Napa Valley's renowned Pritchard Hill. As one of the first wineries to pioneer high-elevation hillside planting, and one of the few remaining great family-owned Napa Valley wineries, Chappellet Vineyard and Winery has influenced generations of vintners. Throughout its history, Chappellet has also established an enduring legacy as one of California's most acclaimed producers of Cabernet Sauvignon. The Chappellet’s romance with Pritchard Hill began when Donn Chappellet first glimpsed the mountain’s spectacular vistas in the late 1960s. Inspired by the notion that “Bacchus loves the hills” and following the advice of legendary winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff, he settled his family on the rocky eastern slopes of the Napa Valley. There, on Pritchard Hill’s serene hillsides the Chappellet family cultivated their mountain vineyard to produce some of the Napa Valley’s most acclaimed Bordeaux varietal wines.

The 2021 Sonoma Valley Zinfandel is another example of the delicious wines made from Chappellet. It is sourced from 53-year-old vines grown in the Mayacamas Range, 2,000 feet above the valley floor. The style is deep, filled with ripe, rich fruit and a plethora of spices. The color is lovely with ruby hues. Out of the glass, aromas of dark brambly fruit, blackberry, ripe plum,
and a slight earthiness that is so appealing intertwined with the dark fruit and exotic spices. A hint of cedar adds to the wine’s complexity. The palate is layered, has excellent weight, round tannins and a silky texture. It has a terrific balance, leading to a delicious mouth-feel that carries the flavors through to a long finish. This is a Zinfandel that is worth seeking out and to enjoy drinking now but will age 10 years +

By Perry Miroballi,