Terroir Journal: Winemaker Notes
We strengthen our relationship with our estate year over year. We want to anticipate its needs, rather than simply react. As we deepen our communication with the land, we can better prepare for what we know will be unknown in the future.
Quintessa has always been considered an amalgamation of blocks; a mosaic of distinctive sites. Each one displays its own personality, suited to particular grapes and individual farming needs. Amplifying these qualities creates a wine of unparalleled character.
Deep dives into the soils bring new levels of knowledge to help achieve this complexity. Soil studies consider the geology of the land itself. Volcanic activity millions of years ago created the mountain ranges and bowl-like valley we know today. Napa Valley, as a whole, continues this narrative: Vineyards are often classified as residing on the valley floor or mountainous sites. But looking deeper, the story became more nuanced; the Quintessa estate is uniquely both.
Through collaborative studies with geologist Brenna Quigley and terroir specialist Pedro Parra, we realized our estate didn’t fit neatly into any paradigm. A new vocabulary about the soils was needed to enrich the conversation about the land. We identified specific zones to overlay on our existing vineyard map and add new definition to our soils. The multidimensional viewpoint helps further refine farming practices and helps with decisions during the blending process.
At every stage of crafting Quintessa, all of this knowledge informs decisions. From how we farm each barrel to the final blend, this information weaves throughout and stitches the carious components together. It creates a wine that is its truest form of self, and one that is an homage to the ancient land from which it comes.
White Volcanics
This pure white, silica-rich volcanic ash is foundational to the blend. Its textural components, the fine chalky tannins, and long length, are a signature of Quintessa. We find it gives a distinct floral and dried rose petal note on the nose.
Conglomerate Rocks
These decomposed conglomerate of volcanic origin — rocks made up of other rocks — confounded us at first. Eventually, we understood they are evidence of the complex nature of the formation of Napa Valley, particularly the Vaca mountains. They are very rocky, cobbly soils that are often deep and contain various volcanic rocks, notably obsidian and ash. Conglomerate rocks are found in our most important blocks on the property, ones that comprise the core of the Quintessa blend. Fruit from these blocks gives high-quality, supple tannins that spread across the palate. Flavors in the wine display richness and density.
Sandy Volcanics
These layers of fine sandstone have the fingerprints of their volcanic origin, but offer completely unique qualities to the wine. Minerality and graphite add dimension to Quintessa’s profile. Earthy and savory characters in the wine stem from this sandstone strata. When I taste the fruit from here, the tannins feel more tightly wound, rather than supple.
River Sediments
From these sandy loam soils, I get what most closely align with valley floor fruit character. Approachable and generous in its aromas and flavors, the wine feels plush upon first sip. He signature Rutherford dust reveals itself in the fine-grained tannins. Fruit from these soils comprises the most exuberant component of the blend.