About the Vineyards

Jack's Cabin Rockpile Zinfandel

The Rockpile AVA (American Viticultural Area) was established in 2002 to denote the remote and scenic area above Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County. At an elevation between 800 and 2,000 feet, Rockpile is situated above the fog line along the steep ridge overlooking Lake Sonoma. Only 75 acres of Rockpile's 175 planted acres are currently planted to zinfandel. Bella Vetta's zinfandel is sourced from grapes grown by Thomas Mauritsen.

At approximately 1200 foot elevation, Jack's Cabin, named for an eccentric inhabitant of the area in the early 1800s, is a single block vineyard planted on a 10-15 degree slope with a southern sun exposure. The block is mostly loam soil and is somewhat protected from the coastal breezes that typically blow through the area on hot, dry summer afternoons.

The 2006 growing season was one of the wettest years in Northern California history and the Rockpile vineyards received 150 to 200 percent of normal rainfall. Bud break occurred late, but warmer than normal spring temperatures promoted rapid shoot growth and the vines caught up quickly. Bloom and veraison were also slowed, which pushed the anticipated harvest date to a later than normal time frame. June was fairly mild, but July was very warm with several heat spikes approaching 100 degrees. August and September were again on the mild side, excellent for ripening. A slight increase in late September's temperature was just the impetus needed to fully ripen the zinfandel grapes for picking at the end of the month.

Ami's Vineyard Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Like Rockpile, Howell Mountain is a small mountain AVA located above its more famous valley floor. Beginning at an elevation of 1,400 feet above Napa Valley's fog line, Howell Mountain is known for its intense and powerful cabernets growing in the rocky volcanic soils of the Vaca Mountain Range that forms the eastern boundary of the Napa Valley.

At an elevation of 1,980 feet, Ami's Vineyard is a two-acre jewel that runs along the western slope of the La Jota Ridge. The vineyard is composed of brick-red volcanic soil ideally suited to produce concentrated and elegant cabs typical to the AVA. Planted in 2001 by good friend and long-time vineyardist Ron Rosenbrand, the vines are ENTAV clone 191 grafted on 110R rootstock. 2005 was the first full harvest and produced four tons of intense cabernet fruit.

The 2005 vintage benefited from spring temperatures that remained cool with plentiful rain, slowing vine growth and development so that bloom occurred nearly a month later than normal. This late trend continued through veraison. Summer temperatures were very warm in July with several days exceeding 100 degrees. The period between August and October was cool to moderate without heat spikes, again allowing for slow and even maturation with little or no dehydration before harvest. All in all an excellent growing season for this exquisite vineyard.