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November 14, 2008
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2005-05-20
From France to California
In 1970, American businessman John Goelet sent off 26-year-old French-born winemaker Bernard Portet with a passport and a mission to find new territory with the potential to produce world-class wines. Two years and five continents later Bernard landed in Napa Valley, California. Together in 1972, Goelet and Portet founded Clos Du Val, which means “small estate in a small valley.” What began as a two- week visit for Bernard, proved to be a more than 30-year career as co-founder and winemaker of Clos Du Val.
Stags Leap District
Bernard got a sense of the valley’s microclimates by driving through the area with his arm out the car window. Struck by the cool evenings and idyllic terrain of the then-undiscovered Stags Leap District, he selected the winery site in the area beneath the Palisades that has since become known for world class Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Carneros
Soon thereafter, in 1973, Clos Du Val became one of the first wineries to stake a claim on some of the finest hillside land in the cool-climate region of Carneros, another then-undeveloped and promising district now famous for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Since then, Clos Du Val has been carefully replanting its Carneros vineyards using new clones, new rootstocks and new viticultural techniques.
More than 30 years later, Clos Du Val’s land – 150 acres in the Stags Leap District and 180 acres in Carneros – continues to impart distinct regional character to its estate-grown wines.
Winemaking Talent
Today, John Clews, vice president of vineyard and winery operations, runs day-to-day winemaking and manages all aspects of vineyard and wine production. John came to Clos Du Val from Steele in 1999, where he began to hone his own elegantly crafted style of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. John, a native of Rhodesia, has a passion for merging old-world artisan techniques with superb quality Napa Valley fruit.
John works closely with Al Wagner, vineyard manager, to continue to enhance Clos Du Val’s commitment to sustainable agriculture in both the Stags Leap and Carneros vineyards. Clos Du Val remains dedicated to planting permanent cover crops and employing new technology to monitor and manage soil moisture and stress levels in the vines.
Once the grapes are harvested, John and Bernard make blending decisions together, adding their recognizable Clos Du Val charm to the wines. They share an appreciation of classically-structured wine as a part of everyday life.
Balance, Elegance and Complexity
Clos Du Val’s old-world approach to winemaking combined with extraordinary Napa Valley fruit established Clos Du Val’s tradition of classic estate wines of balance, elegance and complexity. Bernard’s inaugural 1972 vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon was one of only five California Cabernets selected for the now-legendary Paris Tasting. That same vintage took first place in a rematch ten years later, proving that Clos Du Val wines stand the test of time.
Clos Du Val’s winemaking philosophy – that a classic is always in style – has remained consistent for more than thirty years. Clos Du Val wines will age for several decades – that is if you can resist drinking them tonight.
A Classic is Always in Style
Napa Valley Classic Wines: Clos Du Val’s Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon exemplify the winery’s timeless style.
Estate Wines: Limited in production and highly allocated, Clos Du Val’s Stags Leap District “Oak Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon, “Carneros Vineyard” Pinot Noir and Sémillion and Sauvignon Blanc blend Ariadne, showcase a true sense of the estate.
Reserve Wines: Blended for style, grace and longevity, the Reserve Chardonnay and Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon are the ultimate expressions of the vintage. Clos Du Val produces Reserve wines only in years of exceptional quality.
The Three Graces
Clos Du Val’s guiding philosophy has always been that the celebration of fine wine, food and friends is one of life’s greatest pleasures. So who better to represent Clos Du Val than the goddesses of Splendor, Mirth and Good Cheer? These “Three Graces,” daughters of Zeus, were known throughout ancient Greece for dancing, singing and gracing Olympian parties. The Clos Du Val employees are doing their best to live up to their reputation!
The Cellar Club
Join the Clos Du Val Cellar Club and stake your claim on allocated and vineyard-designated wines, be among the first to sample new releases, and become part of the Clos Du Val family. Contact Bob During at cellarclub@closduval.com, or (707) 261-5225 for more information. Receive 25% off all wine and gift items from our tasting room and invitations to special events, including the annual Reserve Release party in mid-August.
Come Visit
Visit the ivy-draped tasting room daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Spread your picnic blanket and walk barefoot in the grass. The French version of bocce ball, our pétanque area is open to anyone who’s game. Call 1-800-993-9463, ext. 225 to reserve a guided tour or drop by to say hello. The winery is easy to find. Just look for the French and American flags flying out front on the Silverado Trail.
Clos Du Val is located at 5330 Silverado Trail in Napa, open daily. For more information, call 1-800-993-9463 send an email to cdv@closduval.com or visit the website at www.closduval.com.
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