Vineyards
Luna Estate Vineyard (Pinot Grigio)
In 1995, Luna’s founders planted the 22-acre estate vineyard to Pinot Grigio, and bottled the first vintage in 1996. The estate vineyard began as, and remains today, the primary source of high quality fruit for our Pinot Grigio.
The vineyard, planted in alluvial soil between the Silverado Trail and the Napa River, encompasses several distinct growing zones. Though it appears homogenous, years of careful farming have revealed subtle changes in the soil structure that yield striking differences in ripeness and intensity. For this reason, we have always harvested the vineyard in several different passes, and fermented the lots from different zones individually.
We employ organic farming methods on this property, with the goal of sustaining a rich and biodiverse ecosystem. Throughout the growing season, we closely monitor the vineyard so that we can make appropriate changes when necessary. Our philosophy is not to manipulate the natural ecology, but to cooperate with it. By planting specific cover crops, tilling the soil as little as possible, and restricting the use of chemicals and fertilizers, the quality of the fruit is naturally enhanced, while simultaneously maintaining the natural balance of soil, air and water.
Game Farm Vineyard (Sangiovese)
Since 1999, Alex Vyborny's Game Farm Vineyard has been the foundation of our Reserve Sangiovese and many of our Canto vintages. This remarkable vineyard, one mile south of the Oakville Crossroad on the Silverado Trail, is planted in dense rocky subsoil. Before the vineyard was planted, the valley floor soil was removed to form the face of the Rector Creek Dam across the Trail. The rigorous, mountain-like growing conditions year after year produce rich, tannic fruit so intense that even winemakers have a hard time distinguishing it from Cabernet Sauvignon.
Chafen Vineyard (Cabernet Sauvignon)
2004 was our first harvest from this hillside vineyard on the north side of Howell Mountain. The vineyard is planted on the valley floor, in the thin red soil known as Rutherford Dust. The vines face west on a steep slope that overlooks Napa Valley. The combination of soil and slope produce a restrictive growing environment that naturally limits yields and increases intensity.
