Morisoli Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford 2019

In the vast tapestry of Napa Valley’s winemaking history, one vineyard stands out as a beacon of family tradition and enduring passion - Morisoli Vineyard.  Nestled at the base of St. John Mountain in the Rutherford sub-AVA, Morisoli Vineyard is one of the longest continuously family-run vineyards in all of Napa, with roots tracing back to the year 1902 when Rocco and Lodovina Morisoli, the current proprietors’ great-great-grandparents, laid the foundation for generations to come. After selling some of the most coveted grapes in Rutherford for decades and making a touch of wine on the side for themselves, Chris Morisoli (5th generation) ignited the idea of sharing their Cabernet beyond family gatherings.  The Morisoli 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is the second vintage to debut from this iconic property.

Rocco and Lodovina settled in Rutherford in 1902 and worked as sharecroppers, farming the vineyards and eventually saving to purchase their farmhouse and land.  Unexpectedly, Rocco divorced Lodovina and disappeared from Napa without a trace in 1910, leaving her to manage the farm and tend to the vineyards alone with their young son Plinio.  However, Lodovina turned what at the time would have been a tragic turn of events in her favor and purchased the land for herself.  Her single-handed tenacity saved the property and cemented the family’s farming tradition.  Embracing the legacy of their ancestors, Chris and his parents, Gary & Melody, proudly manage and farm the 53 acres of contiguous vineyard.  The vineyard boasts a rich diversity of plantings, mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel, complemented by field blends on the site of the original block planted by Rocco & Lodovina.  These sections include obscure varietals such as Alicante Bouschet, Carignan, Durif, Grand Noir de la Calamette, Muscat Hamburg, Negrette, Syrah, and Valdiguie, like those that planted in 1902 but decimated by Phylloxera.  

As if desertion and Phylloxera were not enough to battle, the United States enacted Prohibition in 1920, killing off many of the 100+ wineries operating in Napa Valley. With no winery buyers, the Plinio and Lodovina nimbly pivoted to selling grapes to wineries like Christian Brothers to be used for sacrament wine.  Congruently, Plinio and his wife opened a general store at the site of what today is Rutherford Grill, providing groceries and equipment to the local community.  Thanks to these two income sources, the family maintained the vineyards and survived through those thirteen “dry” years when so many wineries and vineyards closed.  And while the Morisolis sold most of their crop for sacrament wine, a small amount found its way down to the farmhouse’s basement, where Plinio was known to craft his own “bootleg” wines.

Each generation of the family impacted the vineyards in a specific way; for Gary, it was with the introduction of Cabernet Sauvignon vines.  In the early 80s, when Gary took over the vineyard management, it was all Zinfandel, Chenin Blanc, and field blends.  Thanks to the recommendation of a great friend, Ray Coursen, founder and proprietor of Elyse Winery, Gary planted the first Cabernet vines in 1984. From that point forward, elite wineries began sourcing Cabernet from the Morisolis and highlighting their quintessential Rutherford terroir in single-vineyard bottlings.  After growing up among the vines, driving the old-fashioned tractors to help during harvest, and enjoying the family wine on the side, it was Chris’ turn to take the Morisoli legacy to the next level.  He recognized the opportunity in labeling and selling the family wine, not only because it comes from their very best blocks, but as a channel to share the incredible story of their 100-year-old property.

The Morisolis look to winemaker Joel Aiken to coax the classic Rutherford characteristics from their impeccable grapes.  Having worked as the third-ever winemaker for the famous Beaulieu Vineyard, Joel is well-versed in Rutherford dust and the rich, fruit-forward capacity of the terroir. Joel began the winemaking process with a 15-day cold fermentation during which the wine was pumped over daily and gently to extract deep color and tannin.  Following fermentation, the wine matured gracefully for 27 months in 60% new French oak from two coopers.  Bold aromas of black cherry, cassis, dried herbs, and mocha intertwine on the nose to create an expressive bouquet with a palate of velvety tannins, impressive acidity, and a long finish that are the marks of an age-worthy wine.  In drinking a glass of this 2019 Cabernet, you celebrate the time-honored traditions, passions, and legacy of the Morisoli family, who have helped bolster the unimpeachable winemaking reputation of Rutherford.