CELEBRATING 30 VINTAGES WITH THE 2022 VINTAGE!
Our story began on our Rutherford Estate back in 1989. Over the last 30 years we have expanded and procured seven specially hand selected vineyard sites in six appellations located primarily in Napa Valley and Sonoma Coast.
We are known for our rich, luscious, silky smooth style of winemaking that is a common thread through all the wines made here at Del Dotto. We showcase in our caves and on our barrel tasting experiences the incredible flavors our hand selected French and American oak barrels impart onto the wines while still maximizing the terroir flavors that each single vineyard has to offer from the various appellations. To our knowledge we are the only winery in the world that offers current vintages on a futures program and bottles single vineyards cabernets out of single barrels which results in an array of flavors to choose from. Dave Del Dotto coined the phrase, “The wine is the reduction sauce, and the barrel is the spice rack.”
This program results in extremely limited production, with some wines with only one barrel made for the world. Essentially, we are creating what we call “Liquid Art”! Very rare and unable to duplicate again. It is like a rare work of art or painting but instead of hanging them on your wall you pull them from your cellar, drink and consume them.
Currently our footprint consists of 67 planted acres in Napa Valley and 41 planted acres on the Sonoma Coast. Varietals include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and of course Cabernet Sauvignon. It took the last few decades for our family to find the ideal sites to produce world class wines with the goal to create a portfolio of wines that represent Napa Valley’s very finest.
We are certified as a California Sustainable Winegrower and although not certified, we practice organically farmed principles like no chemical sprays or fertilizers, and all weeding performed by hand or by our resident sheep. The plants are meticulously cared for by professional vineyard workers to maintain the quality of the crop that defines the Del Dotto style and reputation.
Vineyard 887 – St. Helena Appellation – Single Vineyard
Named after the address number on Highway 29, Vineyard 887 is located on the south end of the St. Helena Appellation. This beautiful vineyard consists of eight acres of cabernet sauvignon, planted in 2000. This vineyard shows the typical St. Helena characteristics of lush, fruity berries, with easily accessible tannins on the palate. The inaugural vintage was in 2004 and by 2012 it received up to 98-point ratings from Robert Parker. Vineyard 887 is one of the highest rated vineyards in Napa Valley and is a favorite of our fans. It is always one of the first to sell out each vintage because it is very approachable and easy to drink.
We produce a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from this single vineyard site along with a super Tuscan style blend, Giovanni’s Tuscan Reserve which is Cabernet Sauvignon & Sangiovese blend.
St. Helena Mountain – St. Helena Appellation – Single Vineyard
Contrary to its name, this vineyard is located on the valley floor nestled against the Mayacamas Mountains on the west side of St. Helena. This vineyard features eleven acres of cabernet sauvignon which exude dark rich cassis characteristics, along with silky tannins and a lingering finish. This world class vineyard has received 98–100-point scores from Robert Parker. Fitting that this vineyard is the “backbone or bones of The Beast” historically making up half of the blend in our flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, The Beast.
Oakville Estate – Piazza Del Dotto – Oakville Appellation
The newest vineyard to be added to the Del Dotto legacy back in 2010, our Oakville Estate property contains 17 acres of primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with a bit of Cabernet Franc. The vineyard is split up into three sections: North, South and East which are the newest plantings. Named and labeled after our Piazza Del Dotto winery and caves where the vineyard is located. The Cabernets from this property showcase a thick, viscous quality and beautiful herbaceous characteristic reminiscent of those from the nearby To Kalon vineyard.
Rutherford Estate – Rutherford Bench Appellation – Single Vineyard
This property was our original Estate vineyard and where our Estate Winery & Caves are located that opened in 2007. This vineyard consists of 9 planted acres which were originally planted in 1990 with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc (7 Rows), Merlot and Sangiovese. We have recently been replanting sections of this exquisite vineyard after 30 years. Originally planted with cutting from Margaux clones, this vineyard is more subdued and elegant and not as showy as some of our other valley floor vineyards. It showcases the earthy characteristics that make Rutherford famous for its “Rutherford Dust”.
We produce a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from this single vineyard site and a Bordeaux style blend The David, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.
Howell Mountain – Howell Mountain Appellation – Single Vineyard
At an elevation of 1400 feet, this vineyard truly highlights the terroir of Howell Mountain, characterized by white chalk. Consisting of clones transplanted from our Rutherford Estate, it features ten acres planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet franc and Merlot. The wine presents a massive, rich, full-bodied mouth feel with an earthy chocolate finish. Definitely the most robust Cabernet in our line up but still made in our silky-smooth style taming the mountain tannins. We produce a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from this single vineyard site and a Bordeaux-style blend; The David which consists of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.
The Beast Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley
The Beast Cabernet Sauvignon has fast become our flagship wine at Del Dotto. Now gaining notoriety around the world and standing up next to the finest wines in collector circles. This world class wine has received several 100-point scores in the past by Robert Parker. A pure 100% Cabernet Sauvignon representing Napa Valleys finest appellation it is blend of perfect amounts from all our single vineyards cabernet vineyards: St. Helena Mountain, Vineyard 887, Oakville, Rutherford Estate, Howell Mountain and Pritchard Hill. Cabernet Sauvignon doesn’t get better than this! This wine is currently available to our VIP Status Members and in select high-end restaurants around the U.S.
Villa Del Lago Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley – Pritchard Hill
Our sister winery Villa Del Lago consists of 12 planted acres of some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon on Pritchard Hill, located above Lake Hennessey in St. Helena. Although not technically its own AVA, Pritchard Hill is home to some of Napa Valley’s best Cabernet vineyards. The concentrated flavors are lush rich but restrained mountain fruit characters with superior elegance and balance and notes of amaretto cookies. Considered to be another one of our flagship Cabernets we refer to this wine as “The Beauty” as its counterpart is “The Beast”. This is Billionaires Cabernet in its truest form. Villa Del Lago historically when reviewed received 97-100 points from Robert Parker. These wines can be consumed early but will age beautifully for 20+ years. This wine is currently available to our VIP Status Members and in select high-end restaurants around the U.S.
Sonoma Coast, Ft. Ross-Seaview – Cinghiale Vineyard
Del Dotto is known as a Cabernet house but in 2005 we had the opportunity to purchase one of the most incredible properties on the Sonoma Coast. This would allow us to expand our varietal offerings to include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sparkling wines, Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache. The “Cinghiale” (Italian for wild boar) Vineyard is named for the frequent inhabitants of the property with the labels adorned with the wild boar. Three miles in from the Pacific Ocean and above the fog the property is 359 acres planted with 43 acres at the top of King Ridge. Located in the Sonoma Coast appellation and sub-appellation referred to as Ft. Ross- Seaview where some of the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnays came from.
Highlighting the award-winning terroir, it features a variety of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay clones with lineages hailing from the top vineyards in Burgundy, as well as select top-rated clones from its neighbors in California. Everything coming from this property is outstanding. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, GSM Blend and amazing sparkling wines.