A “Rugged Stags Leap Site” Producing Top Scores From a Family Rooted to The Soil
Wine lovers Greg and Carol Lindstrom – dedicated to creating a Cabernet Sauvignon from the perfect site, which included acquiring a rocky ridge top in Stags Leap, planting the vineyards and hiring a sought after winemaker and vineyard staff – have accomplished their goal. Their small team includes Food & Wine Magazine’s past winemaker of the year, Celia Welch, whose clients have included premier labels such as Scarecrow, Corra, Staglin Family, and Hartwell Estate to name a few. Veteran vineyard manager Michael Wolf, whose own pedigree includes running farms such as Harlan, Bond, Lail, Duckhorn, rounds out the experienced team. The Lindstrom’s advocate an absolute focus on quality and excellence and have spared no expense to help cultivate and craft their Cabernet Sauvignon from this challenging, but extraordinary site. Carol proclaims “We are proud of the wine and only produce 250 to 600 cases of the best possible wine each year.”
THE HILLTOP SITE
“We fell in love with the property the moment we brought our family here. The amazing 360-degree view allows us to watch the sun rise over Stag’s Leap and set in the West. From that point forward, we had a dream to develop a phenomenal wine.” Carol said. The hilltop property was not under vine already; in fact, the steep topography had been left to nature alone. It was here that Greg and Carol Lindstrom – surrounded by famed vineyards owned by Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Shafer Vineyards, Odette Estate, and Joseph Phelps Vineyards – decided to join 11 separate vineyard blocks under one name: the Nicali Vineyard, a nod to their beloved daughters Nicole and Ali.
Each of the “gems” that make up the four-acre Nicali Vineyard was planted with clones especially chosen to match the unique terroir created by soil and weather conditions. Vines were placed on the narrow ridgeline and the lower sections of the sloping vineyards. There is a flow to the vineyard that reflects the lay of the land itself. The variance of cooler mornings and westward-facing long afternoons are reflected in Lindstrom’s elegant and robust wines.
TWO WINES
Critics Antonio Galloni, Robert Parker, Jeb Dunnuck, Lisa Perotti-Brown, and James Laube have been handing down 92+ scores on the Lindstrom Cabernet Sauvignons since 2005 when the winery was just beginning. The 2016 vintage was scored at 95, 95+ and 96. Galloni observed “the 2016 captures all of the best qualities of this rugged Stags Leap site.”
In addition to their Cabernet Sauvignon, the Lindstrom’s have put their stamp on Russian River Pinot Noir from the estimable Dutton Ranch. Winemaker Celia Welch also oversees these small- lot wines which are produced in limited quantities once a year.
Currently, wines are sold exclusively through the mailing list, and wine lovers are encouraged to sign up through the website or check-in at the Heron House in Yountville for a taste, or two.
949-300-4559
Article By: Eve Bushman
