DOGFARM Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2019

Whether you’re a dog person or a cat person, we can all agree that, as a species, dogs have an endless amount of hope.  Their joy is contagious and boundless, a positive reminder to find the charm in everyday life.  And what better way to seek out the small pleasures than opening a delicious bottle of wine to share with family and friends?  When making the acquaintance of the Labrador Retrievers that reside on this wine’s namesake DOGFARM, you embrace the ethos of the brand crafted by the Dunnington and Yates families.  Find the light in life and check your pretension-the hedonism that is wine drinking is purely about great juice appreciated among even better companions.

Originally from Virginia, the Dunningtons moved to California in the early 2000s, seeking a more rustic and slower-paced lifestyle.  Like many, they enjoyed extraordinary Napa wines from afar with occasional visits to the Valley on wine excursions and eventually set their minds to finding a new home in Napa.  Howell Mountain is where they landed, on a three-acre property tucked into the area’s redwood and pine forests.  The intention was always to develop a wine brand, so they got right to planning and planting two acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and thought, “it’s time to hire a winemaker!”  After interviewing a few candidates, they met Maayan Koschitzky (Director of Winemaking at Atelier Melka and proprietor of La Pelle Wines.).  Right off the bat, Maayan was genuine and realistic with the family, letting them know they were years away from needing a winemaker and that anyone selling themselves this early in the game was trying to earn a quick buck.  This down-to-earth straight shooter talk endeared Maayan to the Dunningtons, and a friendship rather than a business relationship was born.  

Now on to the question on everyone’s minds, what is DOGFARM?  The Dunningtons breed Labrador Retrievers, a pastime they never intended to maintain but fell in love with after producing just one litter.  What’s most notable about these dogs is their total domain over the property and their embrace of all visitors.  And the puppies from each litter are not sold but instead gifted to family and friends in the Valley, showcasing how genuine the passion is behind the endeavor.  Even Maayan’s Lab is a DOGFARM puppy who enjoys tagging along to visit her family when he is on property.

Recent wildfires burned exceptionally close to DOGFARM, causing damage and delaying the release of an estate Cabernet.  However, the team made lemonade from lemons and sourced exceptional Cabernet from a family-owned vineyard in Rutherford for the inaugural release.  A blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot with only 96 cases produced, this wine is ripe, fruit-forward, and lush on the palate.  Fruit is most prevalent in the aromas, with notes of wild raspberries and black currants, accented by a hint of lavender.  Fleshy mulberry, blueberry, and cocoa powder hit the front palate with intriguing tobacco leaves, licorice candies, and sage flavors on the back.  The tannins are velvety, and the acid is bright; both sure to develop elegantly over the years in the cellar.  Inspired by man’s best friend and paired best with the conversation of remarkable friends, drink this wine with those you love.