La Jota Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 2012
La Jota Vineyard Co. was founded in 1898 by Frederick Hess, an immigrant from Switzerland, who established a German-language newspaper in San Francisco. No doubt influenced by other European immigrants involved in California's nascent wine industry, Hess purchased 327 acres of a Mexican land grant—Rancho La Jota—on Howell Mountain to plant vineyards. He built the stone vineyard from volcanic ash rock quarried on the property; his first fermentation tanks also came from the estate, from a stand of nearby redwoods along the coast.
The rocky, shallow soils, the abundance of wind and fog, and the remote terroir of Howell Mountain were reminiscent of Europe, where some of the best wines in the world were produced. Hess, along with other early pioneers, believed Napa Valley could achieve the same distinction—and they were right. At the Paris Exposition of 1900, just two years after the winery's construction, La Jota achieved international recognition after Hess won a bronze medal for his "Blanco".
Prohibition effectively halted wine production in the United States, and the market for Howell Mountain's superior wines collapsed. Although Prohibition ended in 1933, the damage had already been done. A few Howell Mountain wineries tried to start up again, but none succeeded. Ultimately, vineyards were left empty and the region became home to several "ghost" vineyards. Half a century passed, and in 1974 former oilman Bill Smith acquired the "ghost" La Jota Vineyard Co. and planted vines on the estate. Eight years later, in 1982, the revived La Jota vineyard was officially bound. In 2005, the Californian wine pioneer Jess Jackson and his wife Barbara Banke bought La Jota.
Today, the winery proudly carries on the century-old La Jota Vineyard Co. winemaking tradition and produces small lots of mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay.
There are 28 acres planted across three estate vineyards, each with its own distinct personality. The Hill vineyard is the highest, sunny and steep. The Meadow vineyard is the largest and the Winery Block winery is adjacent to the original 19th century stone vineyard. The Winery Block is planted with St. George rootstock and consists of unique, phylloxera-resistant Cabernet Franc vines dating back over 40 years.