Spring has always been a magical time of rebirth and renewal on the mountain. This year, that feeling was even more profound as we placed new vines into the ground as part of an ambitious 225 acre replanting project. Originally, it began as a response to wildfire damage, but has since evolved into a holistic, estate-wide endeavor. We realized that we could do more than just fix what was broken – that we had a rare opportunity to craft the ultimate mountain vineyard for future generations.
Since 1872, Spring Mountain Vineyard has been a steward of this land, cultivating exceptional wines with a deep respect for its unique terroir. Under our new management, we not only had the capital, but the opportunity to take a broader view. Instead of simply addressing the vineyard blocks most affected, we decided to reimagine our entire property. With everything that we’ve learned in the last 150 years, we knew we could create a foundation to support the next century of grapes, tailored to our unique terroir.
To do that, we partnered with Bettinelli Vineyard Management, the most respected vineyard developer and farming service in Napa Valley. It started with an extensive study to understand the nuances of the soil, aspects, and individual microclimates for each individual block. For over a year, we walked the mountain, farmed the existing vines, and absorbed the subtle cues of the landscape. We dug over 130 soil pits, mapping a patchwork of varying soil types with varying levels of health. It was an exercise in deep listening and thorough investigation.
Once all our data was collected, planning began. Layering modern practices with our collected knowledge, our goal was to not only produce exceptional fruit, but to build resiliency and sustainability that will carry us into the next century. In addition to updating things like rootstocks and row orientation, we also considered water efficiency, sustainability, and biodiversity within our larger landscape.
Overall, we will replant almost 150 individual vineyard blocks over 220 acres, focusing mainly on Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. Because of the size of our property, as well as the time it takes to prep the soil and plant the vines, this process can last up to three years. Each vineyard block must be strategically removed over time, then left fallow, growing only cover crops and replenishing their nutrients, before new vines are replanted. This spring, the first blocks were ready to be planted, and we put in vines on 40 acres on our Miravalle Ranch and 12 acres at Chateau Chevalier. This steady process of renewal and replanting will continue for the next few years, with the last block expected to go in the ground in 2027. By 2029, we will have the first Estate grapes ready for wine from this year’s crop.
While the life-cycle of highly productive vines is generally 25-30 years, these choices we are making now will “future-proof” our vineyards for more selective, individual care. This forward-looking approach will allow vine replacement in the future to be more specialized, similar to European vineyards. The efforts are long and arduous, but the rewards will be immense and lasting. We are building a legacy that extends far beyond the lifespan of these vines, creating a foundation and infrastructure that will benefit this estate for generations to come.
