Napa Valley vineyard and winery with dry farmed mature vineyards, old Cabernet vines, classical vinification and old casks.
The producer
Mayacamas Vineyards is a Napa Valley vineyard and winery founded in 1889. Its estate covers 475 acres, with about 50 planted acres rising from 1,800 to about 2,200 feet and higher slopes around 2,400 feet. All mature vineyards are dry farmed and certified organic by CCOF. Some Cabernet Sauvignon vines are more than 50 years old. The range includes Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 and Mayacamas Chardonnay in 2022 and 2023. The 2019 Cabernet has a drinking window through 2045.
Known for
Dry farmed mountain Cabernet
Notable facts
Founded in 1889 as a Napa Valley vineyard and winery.
The estate covers 475 acres, with about 50 planted acres.
Some of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines are more than 50 years old.
All mature estate vineyards are dry farmed.
The vineyards are certified organic by CCOF.
The winery's vinification has remained consistent since the 1950s with classical techniques.
The story
Paris Tasting, Seventh Place
In 1976, Steven Spurrier included the 1971 Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon in his Paris tasting. The bottle represented Napa Valley among the red wines and placed seventh in that group. Spurrier's event helped promote Napa Valley wines on an international stage. A comparative tasting places wines from different origins into the same event, and the Mayacamas bottle carried Napa Valley's entry among the reds. It finished seventh in Paris, giving the 1971 Cabernet a recorded place in the tasting's red wine results.
From the atlas
Mayacamas Vineyards
A Napa Valley vineyard and winery with classical vinification, dry farmed mature vineyards and a cellar that retains old casks.
At A Glance
Founded
1889
Region
Napa Valley
Estate
475 acres, about 50 planted acres
Vine age
Some Cabernet Sauvignon vines more than 50 years old
Bottles
Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Mayacamas Chardonnay 2022 and 2023
The Producer
Mayacamas is a Napa Valley vineyard and winery whose vinification has remained consistent since the 1950s, with a continued commitment to classical techniques. JH Fisher, a German immigrant and San Francisco pickle merchant, built the winery, which was largely abandoned from the 1906 earthquake until 1941.
Jack and Mary Taylor later purchased the winery and its 260 acres with their three children, then planted Chardonnay with budwood from Wente's Livermore Valley Vineyard. Phil Cotturi was brought in to replant vines affected by phylloxera and planted on AXR rootstock, institute organic viticulture and continue dry farming. Since 2013, the Schottenstein family and winemaker Andy Erickson have overseen Mayacamas. During the 2012 vintage, the winemaking team worked with Travers and used existing old casks instead of new oak.
Place
The vineyards run from 1,800 feet at the winery to about 2,200 feet, while the property's highest slopes reach around 2,400 feet. The area often receives twice the average rainfall of the valley floor. All mature vineyards are dry farmed, meaning the vines rely on rainfall instead of irrigation, and yields are often 1 to 1.5 tons per acre.
Wines
The range includes Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Mayacamas Chardonnay 2022 and Mayacamas Chardonnay 2023. The Cabernet is a North Coast red with fruit, acidity and tannins, and a drinking window through 2045.
The two Chardonnay wines are North Coast whites. The 2023 Chardonnay has notable acidity, a broad palate and depth, and can be cellared for at least a few years. The 2022 Chardonnay is the earlier vintage in the pair.
Final Word
Mayacamas combines Napa Valley vineyards with classical cellar work, dry farming and old casks. Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are the named grapes in the current bottle set.