Vineyard 29 – 115
Wednesday, July 13th, 2005
Vineyard 29 is a relative new-comer on the block. While their first vintage was officially produced in 1992, it was the completion of their astonishing gravity-method wine-making facility which was finished in 2001 that put them on the map. Okay, maybe having Heidi Barrett-Peterson as their winemaker from 1992 until 1998 didn’t hurt…
Vineyard 29 is thus named because of its physical address: 2929 Highway 29. It was established in 1989 by Theresa Norton and Tom Paine who had to utilize the services of custom crush facility; i.e., they had the vineyards but not the wine making equipment or building. In early 2000, Theresa and Tom wanted to retire and found in Chuck and Anne McMinn a couple with enough passion to take over and expand the label.
And expand they did. After designing the most technologically-advanced facility feasible, they also began acquiring additional vineyards beyond the initial Grace Family Vineyards three acres purchased. Just a few miles north of where the winery was under construction, the Aida vineyards became available. Known for astounding Zinfandel and Petite Sirah grapes, the Aida vineyard and the Grace Family vineyards became the soul of the new Vineyard 29.
Besides being the most stunning gravity-method winery I’ve ever seen, another factor that adds to Vineyard 29’s allure is an ecological one; the winery is operated with three natural gas turbines. This is one of the many steps required to becoming a Green winery and apparently the applications are already in place for that status.
The 13,000 feet of caves are a continuation of the marvel of engineering. It is only when you walk in that motion sensors begin to illuminate the cavern. It was noticeably cooler as I could sense air actually being moved, I inquired about air conditioning. No; condenser fans pull in cool air from the nearby Sauvignon Blanc vineyards and provide a natural coolant to the interior.
The very rear of the cave portal is a storage facility of current and library wines. I was extremely fortunate to be able to provide the documentation for this visit, and while I had the honor to meet Chuck and Ann during my tour, the facilities are not open to the public, except to those already on Vineyard 29’s acquisition list. After tasting the wines, this is a list I would like to be on:
2001 Aida Zinfandel – Slightly cloudy with concentrated dark brick tones on the edges. Aromas of dusty, dark blackberry and black cassis. It hits the tongue with spicy black licorice and immediately evens out with an opulent spicy liqueur tone of dark berry. Intense, lingering finish. $60.00
2001 Aida Red Wine – 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26 % Merlot. Brick red-edged color with dark purple core. Intense, concentrated plum and dark berry notes play with molasses on the nose. Moroccan spice components reveal cardamom and Nag Champa. Wild black strawberries enter the mouth and explode with elegant spice. Complex and elegant, a heightened acidity brightens the mid-palate and toys a bit, before smoothing out to a long, luxurious finish. $75.00
2001 Vineyard 29 – 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. I brought a few friends along and the initial response was "this is what angels drink in heaven…" Teasing aromas of fig, blueberry, cinnamon, amber, and lignum aloes shows a dark floral tone with integrated spice. The mouth entry is as dark and spicy as it portends but surprises with a sweetening in the mid-palate. The licorice finish continues to entice and seems to never end. $125.
Vineyard 29 ~ 2929 Highway 29 ~ St. Helena ~ CA ~ 94574 ~ 707-963-9292