Vida Valiente To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville 2021

What could make a bottle of estate-grown, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley crafted by all-star winemaker Sam Kaplan taste any better than it already is?  The fact that proceeds from said bottle support a non-profit organization dedicated to funding and mentoring the college careers of first-generation Americans.  Hayes & Susana Drumwright and Sam & Nancy Kaplan established the Vida Valiente Foundation and Winery in 2021 with two missions in mind (and heart.)  First, to make exceptional Napa Valley Cabernets showcasing the region’s premier vineyards, and second, to raise funds for low-income Stanford students to complete their education in four years.  After tasting their 2021 To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and knowing that the Foundation raised close to one million dollars in its first year alone, ACME can certify that they’ve completed these “missions” with flying colors and are just getting started.

While the winery aspect of Vida Valiente was the brainchild of Hayes and Sam, who you may know well from their collaboration at Memento Mori Winery, Susana Drumwright was and is the driving force behind the Foundation.  As a first-generation American, she can attest to the seemingly unending hurdles these students face in their pursuit of higher education.  Without anyone setting an example or laying the path, first-generation college students are forced to forge their way, proving they are tenacious and hard-working.  Yet, they face undue financial stress and are more likely to take longer to earn their degrees or even not complete secondary education at all.  These obstacles are why the Vida Valiente Foundation provides financial support for tuition and mentorship with leading executives in varying industries.  The project stands out from traditional wine philanthropy as the scholars are not required to pursue a career in wine upon accepting the scholarship.  It is a testament to the Drumwrights and Kaplans that they’ve used their expertise in the wine world to encourage young leaders to thrive, regardless of their passion or path.

Sourced from the newest replanted block of Beckstoffer To Kalon, these young vines capture the exuberant personality and nerve of youthful expression while also showcasing the depth and dimension of one of Napa's most iconic and pedigreed vineyards. Classic Oakville in the glass, lively aromas of bright red berries, Morello cherries, kirsch, graphite, April strawberries, sandalwood, orange peel, and fresh herbs are just the beginning of this aromatic masterpiece. Full-bodied without being heavy, the mid-palate revels in the glory of alluvial soils, resulting in a graceful structure that offers layers of freshness and boundless fruit-riddled energy. Backed by silky and polished tannins that lead into a seamless and refined finish, this crimson upstart is ready for the spotlight and shows no signs of slowing down.