Phelan Vineyard, Biography

Founded and developed by Arlene and Gerry Phelan, this rocky hillside vineyard is devoted exclusively to premium Cabernet Sauvignon. The first block was planted in the spring of 1991 on 3309 rootstock bench grafted to clone #7. Two additional blocks were added in subsequent years wherein rootstock 110R field budded to clone #337, was selected. The fruit for the Phelan Cabernet Sauvignon is picked exclusively from this estate vineyard.

For eight years the fruit was sold to three Napa Valley premium wineries, in the summer of 1999, following harvest, the Phelans decided to enter the wine business realizing their fruit was sought after by some of the best in the industry. At the same time a decision was made to construct a winery on their site; after thirty-three months the operating permit for the winery has been approved.

Construction of a wine cave for barrel storage is almost complete where the combination of a constant 57 degrees Farenheit and high humidity created by natural springs provides optimum aging for wine making. The cave has been designed so barrels will be stored without stacking to permit better access by the winemaker.