Vidi Vitis Old Federal Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville 2018

Winemaker and proprietor Benjamin Leachman of Vidi Vitis is just the kind of passionate and talented winemaker that ACME loves to support. In 2004, he was working in the Davis wine lab for R.H. Phillips. Having earned a degree in biochemistry, the lab was the perfect outlet for Ben to engage in scientific practice while also utilizing his palate. He became so intrigued by the winemaking process that, whenever winemakers would drop off samples at the lab, Ben would ask them detailed questions about their practice. By 2008, his interest had grown to a point where the winemakers could no longer answer Ben’s questions. And so, Ben decided to quit his job and pursue a masters at UC Davis in Viticulture and Enology. 

Fresh out of his master’s program, Ben launched his career in the wine industry at the bottom of the totem pole as an intern at Seavey Vineyard. He told me that “he knew he had the work ethic to earn his way up the chain”, and sure enough he did. He wore all the hats and ultimately landed the Assistant Winemaker position. In 2014, Ben left Seavey to take the role of Associate Winemaker at Checkerboard where he worked under the tutelage of Martha McClellan. Having landed what he would describe as his “dream job”, Ben suffered a debilitating back injury that made cellar work almost impossible. It was in this moment, when he faced an incredible impasse, that Vidi Vitis was born. 

Ben left the cellar to work for Walsh Vineyard Management, and he remains there today as the Director of Viticulture. This new access to thoughtfully farmed vineyards opened the door to a proprietary brand, and Ben took it! We had the pleasure of tasting two wines, each a single vineyard expression, and very well made. Ben’s passion and incredible talent is undeniable, and ACME is thrilled to share this wine with you today. 

The grapes for this bottling were sourced from the Old Federal Vineyard which is part of UC Davis’ experimental block in the heart of Oakville. It is neighbors to To Kalon and Mondavi and has contributed more to our understanding of viticulture than any other experimental block. Ben’s long-standing relationship with the Viticulture department at UC Davis gained him access to this fruit, and what he has done with it is truly exceptional! This wine explodes from the glass with notes of brambleberry, black cherry, cedar, and vanilla. A rush of acidity keeps the fruitful palate on the side of freshness, and soft, integrated tannins make this wine very approachable in its youth. You’d be hard-pressed to find a Cabernet from this slice of Oakville for $100!