With 2021 marking only the second vintage from this vineyard—and already earning 100 points from James Suckling- this land is showing clear potential to become Napa Valley’s next legendary site. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon opens with violet and black currant, leading to a palate layered with dried herbs, black cherry, and licorice. Cornelius Grove, tucked into a secluded valley in the western foothills of St. Helena, is a vineyard defined by its diverse soils and unique microclimates. Here, Cabernet Sauvignon vines reach deep into the earth, drawing water and nutrients from a mix of metamorphic cobblestones and red-hued sandstone. This emerging vineyard also serves as the new home of Grace Family’s current owners. 262 cases were produced.
About Grace Family Vineyards
If you ask any Napa Valley local which estates truly define the region, Grace Family Vineyards is sure to be part of the conversation. While their limited production means the wines aren’t as widely poured as those of some neighbors, no serious wine aficionado’s cellar feels complete without a selection of these exceptional bottlings.
Dick and Ann Grace established their St. Helena vineyard in 1976 with Cabernet Sauvignon cuttings from the lauded Bosché Vineyard in Rutherford. The first vintage was produced in 1978 when Dick and Ann gathered a group of friends and family to harvest and load the grapes into the back of a station wagon for transport to a winery.
The estate has evolved greatly since the 1970s, including the addition of winemaker Helen Keplinger. Formerly of Bryant Estate, Kenzo Estate, Arrow & Branch, and now also making Kerr Cellars and her namesake label Keplinger, Helen has taken the wines to new heights. While the property changed hands in 2019, it remains family-owned, and Dick and Ann still live on the estate.
Today, new owners Kate and Jeremy Green have also developed Cornelius Grove, a vineyard nestled in the St. Helena foothills—a site Dick once considered for a sister label. Helen has thoughtfully overseen the planting and today, 20 acres are under vine. A small 3-acre block contributed fruit to the 2021 vintage.
