the Land

A family estate, committed to stewardship of the land through the generations.

Established in 1996, Leslie Rudd had a vision of having a small jewel in the Oakville appellation of Napa Valley, producing Bordeaux varietals of impeccable quality, being cared for by one generation with the intention of passing it on to the next. In 1999, Leslie Rudd expanded this vision by acquiring an 80 acre Estate on Mt. Veeder to grow white varietals.

Over the 20 years we have worked the land, our specific knowledge and understanding has grown along with our confidence in the site. We believe the better we know the land, the better our wine will be.

At an elevation of 1,600 feet the Mt. Veeder Estate with its altitude, exposure and microclimate created by the forest ridge line are perfect attributes for progressive ripening that holds natural, fresh acidity and lower sugars — perfect for white wines. It is farmed organically and 8 acres are planted to white varietals including Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Sauvignon Gris.

Great wines have a sense of place, with their uniqueness a direct result of their specific site. With 48 acres planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the Oakville Estate is ideal for crafting fine wine with rocky volcanic soils that enable the vineyards to drain extremely well and the root systems to grow very deep in search of underlying terroir.

The 40 acres to the north have a slight downhill western exposure, allowing the vineyards to receive the focus of the setting sun. The 8 acres located on the south side of Oakville Crossroad contain more clay and sand with an uphill slope and eastern exposure. A line of trees to the west partially filters the rays of the afternoon sun.