Lake County estate near Mount Saint Helena making small lot Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varieties from a certified organic vineyard.
The producer
Domaine Helena is a Lake County, California estate near the Napa County border. André Guéziec, an Alsace native and former software engineer, acquired it in the early 2020s after developing traffic monitoring software sold to the Weather Network. The range centers on small lot Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux grape varieties. The vineyard and winery are certified organic by CCOF and sustainable by California Sustainable Winegrowing.
Known for
Small lot Lake County Cabernet
Notable facts
Domaine Helena is a 215 acre vineyard and winery in Lake County near the Napa County border.
The vineyard and winery are certified organic by CCOF and sustainable by California Sustainable Winegrowing.
The 2023 Bloc Cinq is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 20 months in French oak barrels.
André Guéziec previously worked as a software engineer and sold traffic monitoring software to the Weather Network.
The story
When Fire Crossed the Vineyard
In 2015, the Valley Fire ripped through Domaine Helena's property. Trees inside the vineyard area burned, but the estate's 82 acres of vineyards were left undamaged. The fire moved through the land around the rows while the vines remained in place. The oldest vines include nearly 12 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon on St. George rootstock, planted in 1992. The property is a 215 acre vineyard and winery in Lake County near the Napa County border.
From the atlas
Domaine Helena
A Lake County estate near Mount Saint Helena, centered on small lot Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux grape varieties.
At A Glance
Field
Domaine Helena
Region
Lake County, California
Main grape
Cabernet Sauvignon
Range
Small lot Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux grape varieties
Farming
Vineyard and winery certified organic by CCOF and sustainable by California Sustainable Winegrowing
The Producer
Before buying Domaine Helena in the early 2020s, André Guéziec developed traffic monitoring software and sold it to the Weather Network. He is from Alsace, France, grew up around wine, and previously worked as a software engineer.
Domaine Helena grows red wine grapes and makes limited estate wines. The range centers on small lot Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux grape varieties. Both the vineyard and winery are certified organic by CCOF and sustainable by California Sustainable Winegrowing. In the cellar, the stated aim is lower alcohol wines designed to accompany food and age with grace.
Place
The property lies east of Cobb Mountain and north of Mount Saint Helena at 1,100 feet elevation, in Lake County near the Napa County border. Hot days and cooler nights support steady maturation in the vineyard.
Most summer afternoons bring a thermal breeze from the Mayacamas Mountains, often reaching 20 mph and cooling the grapes. The vineyard therefore combines warm daytime conditions with nighttime and afternoon cooling during the growing season.
Wines
The range is built around small lot Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux grape varieties. The 2023 Domaine Helena Mount St Helena Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is Cabernet Sauvignon aged in French oak barrels. It has blackcurrant, plum, dark cherry, chocolate, cedar, mint, vanilla, tobacco, and oak character.
The separately named 2023 Bloc Cinq is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 20 months in French oak barrels. It is red fruited and concentrated, with silky tannins, some grip, and notes of tobacco leaf, cocoa, cedar, and star anise.
Final Word
Cabernet Sauvignon sits at the centre of Domaine Helena's limited Lake County range, while the cellar aims for lower alcohol wines designed for food and ageing.