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- CountryUnited States
- RegionCalifornia
- Sub-RegionNapa Valley
- Alcohol15.7%
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The Crane Assembly Disciples Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2021
- Vintage2021
- VarietyCabernet Sauvignon
- AppellationNapa Valley
It’s not often that you truly get to taste California winemaking history. You’ve heard the claim before – “this is one of the oldest vineyards in Napa!”. This statement is not always true, but it most certainly is in the case of the wines from The Crane Assembly!
The vineyard, affectionately called the G. B. Crane after its pioneer Dr. George Beldon Crane, was originally planted in 1885. Although records are scarce, it was likely planted to a field blend called “mixed blacks” which would traditionally consist of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Carignan. Today, after over 130 years of farming, four of the eight acres are still planted to the original old-vine Zinfandel, in all its head-trained and gnarled glory!
The Crane Assembly was founded in 2012 by four long-time friends – winemakers Dave Phinney (of Orin Swift fame) and his winemaker Kevin Fox, and business partners Bryan Sandoli (former President of Orin Swift before it sold to Gallo) and Darryl Browman (co-owner of a small vineyard in Stag’s Leap District). This rock star lineup purchased the historic G. B. Crane vineyard with a common goal to preserve this piece of Napa Valley history and produce wines that both represent and respect the story of these vines.
These four friends were not the first to steward the historic, century-old G.B. Crane site and are not the last either. In 2023, Vail Jr. and Leslie Miller purchased The Crane Assembly from the founders and set off on the next chapter of this storied parcel and praised winery. The Millers split their time between Ohio and St. Helena, where Vail Jr.’s family has owned a second home since the 1990s. He fostered a love for the valley and a deeper appreciation for the wine industry during his time in St. Helena, which he shared with Leslie as their relationship blossomed and they grew a family of their own. Both Vail Jr. and Leslie come from a long line of entrepreneurial spirits as both their great grandfathers started businesses in the early 20th century, a distribution company and a hosiery factory. After working for the family business for almost 30 years, Vail Jr. sold the distributing company in 2021 to Redwood Capital, and immediately, the entrepreneur in him asked, “What’s the next adventure?” And The Crane Assembly is it! With consulting winemaker Philippe Melka on board, the Millers are thrilled to continue the G.B. Crane legacy and make their mark on the centuries-old vineyard.
Since 2014, the Crane Assembly has produced a heritage, field-blend wine called Disciples, with fruit sourced from other historic vineyards in Napa Valley. 2021 was an outstanding vintage for Napa Valley, with high yields of incredible fruit. In the seven years of making Disciples Red Wine, the Crane Assembly team cultivated great relationships with Napa growers, granting them access to Cabernet from a remarkable vineyard. They said, “These vineyards were almost too good to be true, making it impossible to say no.”
Sourced from a small St. Helena vineyard close to the G.B. Crane parcel, the 2021 Disciples Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine aged in 60% new French oak barrels for 21 months and only eight barrels were crafted. Aromas of Bing cherry, baking spices, and lavender fill the nose with touches of earth and toasted oak. Intricately woven tannins structure the palate and balance with a refreshing acidity highlighting ripe plum, blackberry, and licorice flavors, fading into a finish that lingers, reminiscing the layers and complexity.
The vineyard, affectionately called the G. B. Crane after its pioneer Dr. George Beldon Crane, was originally planted in 1885. Although records are scarce, it was likely planted to a field blend called “mixed blacks” which would traditionally consist of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Carignan. Today, after over 130 years of farming, four of the eight acres are still planted to the original old-vine Zinfandel, in all its head-trained and gnarled glory!
The Crane Assembly was founded in 2012 by four long-time friends – winemakers Dave Phinney (of Orin Swift fame) and his winemaker Kevin Fox, and business partners Bryan Sandoli (former President of Orin Swift before it sold to Gallo) and Darryl Browman (co-owner of a small vineyard in Stag’s Leap District). This rock star lineup purchased the historic G. B. Crane vineyard with a common goal to preserve this piece of Napa Valley history and produce wines that both represent and respect the story of these vines.
These four friends were not the first to steward the historic, century-old G.B. Crane site and are not the last either. In 2023, Vail Jr. and Leslie Miller purchased The Crane Assembly from the founders and set off on the next chapter of this storied parcel and praised winery. The Millers split their time between Ohio and St. Helena, where Vail Jr.’s family has owned a second home since the 1990s. He fostered a love for the valley and a deeper appreciation for the wine industry during his time in St. Helena, which he shared with Leslie as their relationship blossomed and they grew a family of their own. Both Vail Jr. and Leslie come from a long line of entrepreneurial spirits as both their great grandfathers started businesses in the early 20th century, a distribution company and a hosiery factory. After working for the family business for almost 30 years, Vail Jr. sold the distributing company in 2021 to Redwood Capital, and immediately, the entrepreneur in him asked, “What’s the next adventure?” And The Crane Assembly is it! With consulting winemaker Philippe Melka on board, the Millers are thrilled to continue the G.B. Crane legacy and make their mark on the centuries-old vineyard.
Since 2014, the Crane Assembly has produced a heritage, field-blend wine called Disciples, with fruit sourced from other historic vineyards in Napa Valley. 2021 was an outstanding vintage for Napa Valley, with high yields of incredible fruit. In the seven years of making Disciples Red Wine, the Crane Assembly team cultivated great relationships with Napa growers, granting them access to Cabernet from a remarkable vineyard. They said, “These vineyards were almost too good to be true, making it impossible to say no.”
Sourced from a small St. Helena vineyard close to the G.B. Crane parcel, the 2021 Disciples Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine aged in 60% new French oak barrels for 21 months and only eight barrels were crafted. Aromas of Bing cherry, baking spices, and lavender fill the nose with touches of earth and toasted oak. Intricately woven tannins structure the palate and balance with a refreshing acidity highlighting ripe plum, blackberry, and licorice flavors, fading into a finish that lingers, reminiscing the layers and complexity.
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- CountryUnited States
- RegionCalifornia
- Sub-RegionNapa Valley
- Alcohol15.7%
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