Family owned Napa Valley producer focused on Bordeaux varieties, with Yettalil as its rarest estate blend.
The producer
Clos du Val is a family owned Napa Valley producer with estate vineyards in the Stags Leap District and Yountville appellations. Bernard Portet selected Hirondelle Estate after a two year search across four continents, choosing a cool valley greeted daily by coastal winds and soils formed by volcanic palisades. The portfolio centers on Bordeaux varieties, including Yettalil, the rarest and most age worthy wine in the range. Farming uses regenerative methods, organic principles, insectary rows, pollinator habitat, ground cover and integrated livestock.
Known for
Bordeaux blends and Yettalil
Notable facts
Clos du Val was founded in 1972.
Olav Goelet is Clos du Val's third generation owner.
Clos du Val farms estate vineyards in the Stags Leap District and Yountville appellations.
The 2022 Yettalil blend is 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot, 6% Malbec, 5% Carménère and 3% Merlot.
The story
The Carneros Turn
In 2021, Clos du Val sold its Carneros vineyard and stopped producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The winery redirected attention toward Bordeaux varieties. Yettalil is the defining estate blend in that portfolio, and the 2022 vintage uses Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Carménère and Merlot. It spent 20 months in 40% new French oak. Yettalil is made for cellaring and develops aromatically and texturally with patience. The same vintage carries aromas of blackberry, plum, cherry compote, fresh sage and spice.
From the atlas
Clos du Val
Family owned Napa Valley producer focused on Bordeaux varieties, with Yettalil as its defining estate blend.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Founded
1972
Ownership
Family owned
Vineyards
Estate vineyards in the Stags Leap District and Yountville appellations
Main focus
Bordeaux varieties
Defining blend
Yettalil
The Producer
Olav Goelet began working at the family winery in 2019, overseeing winemaking and viticulture, and moved into his current CEO position in 2023. He is the third generation owner and works alongside winemaker Carmel Greenberg.
Farming follows a regenerative approach with organic principles. Insectary rows, pollinator habitats, ground cover and integrated livestock form part of the estate program, alongside soil study and variety selection matched to vineyard conditions.
Place
At Hirondelle Estate, a cool, sheltered valley receives coastal winds each day, while soils formed by the erosion of volcanic palisades lie beneath the vines. Founding winemaker Bernard Portet chose the site after a two year search across four continents.
Clos du Val matches different Bordeaux varieties to conditions suited to their characteristics. Hirondelle Estate is associated with Bordeaux style blended wines.
Wines
Yettalil is a blended expression of the estate and a defining wine for the range. The 2022 vintage uses six grape varieties: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot, 6% Malbec, 5% Carménère and 3% Merlot. It spent 20 months in 40% new French oak. The wine is made for cellaring and develops aromatically and texturally with patience.
The 2022 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon adds a Cabernet Sauvignon bottle to the range, with black fruit, spice, juicy fruit and savory flavor.
Final Word
In 2021, Clos du Val sold its Carneros vineyard and stopped producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, redirecting attention toward Bordeaux varieties. Yettalil is the range's rarest wine, made for cellaring, with aromas of blackberry, plum, cherry compote, fresh sage and spice.