Dakota Shy Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019

Founded by long-time friends Todd Newman and Napa winemaker Tom Garrett, Dakota Shy’s story is one of humble beginnings, a journey that differs from most of the capital-intensive wine brands in the Napa Valley. Originally from North Dakota, Todd attended the University of Oregon where he developed a passion for food and wine while working at restaurants to pay his tuition. In 2003, Todd moved to the Napa Valley when his friend, Master Sommelier Dennis Kelly, arranged a job at the famed Martini House in St. Helena. Under the guidance of this Michelin-starred restaurant, he learned the wine business through the lens of hospitality and service. While Todd was working at Martini House, Tom Garrett was working at nearby Revana Family Vineyard and noticed that Martini House was selling a substantial amount of Revana’s wine. Much of that had to do with Todd and his interest in the wines. Todd was passionate about not only selling wine but learning about the production. So, in 2005, Tom hired him to work in the cellar at Revana under the direction of world-famous winemakers Heidi Barrett and later Thomas Brown. Over time, Todd transitioned from assisting with winemaking in the cellar to directing Revana’s national sales program, and the rest is history!

Tom’s family roots in the Napa Valley date back to the early 1950s when his great-grandmother purchased a property in Oakville (which was part of the original To Kalon Vineyard). 50 years later, Tom began Detert Family Vineyard, named after his great-grandmother and made from his family’s legendary vineyard. Tom honed his craft over the years, working alongside other great winemakers and mentors at Turley Wine Cellars, Joseph Phelps Winery, Robert Mondavi, and Revana. In addition to Dakota Shy, Tom continues to make his family’s highly regarded Detert wines.

After years of working together at Revana Family Vineyard, these two friends set out to create a world-class estate of their own in 2012 with their first commercial vintage. In 2014, Todd and Tom purchased an estate in the heart of Napa Valley at the base of Pritchard Hill first established in the 1850s, when George Yount took possession via a Spanish land grant. Beautiful redwood and magnolia trees dot the estate along with 1.2 acres of Italian and Spanish olives from which Dakota Shy presses their own oil. As Todd says, “there is so much soul here, you can’t help but be moved by the beauty and history of the property.” Tom designed a small yet functional winery on the property, which was completed in time for the first harvest on site in 2017. The name is a reference to Todd’s college-time nickname. He was an extremely shy student, and some of his friends started referring to him as ‘Dakota Shy’ in reference to his home state of North Dakota and quiet nature. The lantern that adorns the label symbolizes the work ethic Todd acquired growing up in the midwest, “first one in, last one out, the light will lead you.”

The 2019 Dakota Shy Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, primarily sourced from grapes grown from their hillside vineyards. The wine was aged for 18 months in 70% New French Oak before being bottled. Powerful and lush, the palate offers layers of blueberries, blackberries, and plum alongside dark chocolate and dried herb notes. This is an energetic and beautiful wine with a polished, elegant structure and dark, silky tannins. The wine is approachable in its youth but will shine in 10+ years.