While shooting photographs for Nathan Chroman’s “Treasury of American Wines”, Jack and Dolores Cakebread casually offer to buy the Sturdivant Ranch in Rutherford. The Sturdivants take them up on the offer, and soon the first Cakebread Sauvignon Blanc is planted on AXR1 rootstock.

Grape Blend:88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Syrah, 1% Blend ( Cabernet Franc, Petite Sirah )

This wine reveals a fragrant, complex bouquet of ripe blackberry and boysenberry complemented by notes of dark chocolate and toasty oak.

Rich and smooth on the palate, the sumptuous dark fruit is balanced by fresh acidity and lush tannins with a lingering, elegant finish and a hint of minerality.