SUB-ZERO WINE BLOG

California is full of grape farmers who have turned their hand to winemaking. These include names such as Rochioli, Dutton, Robert Young, David Coffaro and many others. Making good wine is probably not as much of a challenge as growing great grapes, but, as many of these growers-tunred-vintners have found out, selling the wine you make can be a more different issue.

The Snowden family, in Napa Valley, first started growing grapes in 1955 and by the late 70s were selling to some of Napa’s top name wineres, including Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. It wasn’t until 1993 that the first wines appeared under the Snowden label. Wisely, this family-owned operation focuses on just three wines. The very attractive Snowden Sauvignon Blanc is smooth and luscious with bright peach and apple fruit. The Cabernet-driven Bordeaux-style blend called Lost Vineyard, at around $25, shows dust and herb notes and is very much in balance.

The signature Snowden Cabernet Sauvignon, at around $50, is big and luscious, with great depth of flavor. The winemaker is a family member, too – Diana Snowden Seysses, who also happens to be married to Jeremy Seysses of Domaine Dujac in Burgundy.