Vineyards

Brooks Family Vineyard
Located at the foot of Mount Veeder in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley the vineyard was purchased in 1999. The clay loam soils, and terraces with a southwest exposure provide an ideal location for the production of the highest quality Cabernet Sauvigon grapes. The 2.6 acres are 95% CS with 5% Cabernet Franc.

The vineyard is planted on 9'x5' spacing with a Vertical Shoot Positioniing (VSP) trellis system. It is head trained and cane pruned which minimizes the wounding of the plant and helps control disease and vigor. The vineyard is owned, managed and tended by Larry's brother Walt Brooks and eight seperate passes (operations) are performed on each vine over the course of a season to optimize the quality. Typical production is 2.5-3 tons per acre. The Vineyard is planted to clones 6 and 337 Cabernet Sauvignon on 1103P and 110R rootstock. Irrigation is applied sparingly starting in July. Sustainable agriculture practices are the foundation of Walt's winegrowing approach, including nitrogen fixing cover crops, no till, and minimal use of chemicals other than sulfur and stylet oil to protect the vines from powdery mildew.

Richmond Vineyard
Larry and Mike Richmond planted this vineyard in 1990 (formerly T and A vineyard). It is a little less than two acres planted around Mike's house in the Carneros district of Napa. The average production is 7-8 tons. It is 80% Nebbiolo and 20% Sangiovese. Three distinct clones of Nebbiolo are planted. The only way to make a Nebbiolo based wine is to plant it yourself as most growers will not put up with this temperamental varietal. At 18 years of age the vineyard is mature, and producing some of the best Nebbiolo in the new world. Mike uses sustainable practices and minimal irrigation. The vines are planted on a 6 by 6 foot spacing on a vertical trellis. They are trained to a low head using cane pruning.