Spring Mountain Vineyard’s 2005 Elivette Is Only California Wine To Win Gold Medal In 2010 Decanter World Wine Awards
Decanter World Wine Awards

Napa Valley, CA  (October 1, 2010) In 1976, Napa Valley’s Spring Mountain Vineyard made history when its 1973 Chardonnay was ranked above French Chardonnays in the “Judgment of Paris” blind tasting. Today, Spring Mountain Vineyard has won a new distinction. Its signature Bordeaux-style red wine, 2005 Elivette is the only wine from California to win a Gold Medal in the 2010 Decanter World Wine Awards.

With a panel of international judges chaired by Steven Spurrier, the Englishman who arranged the Judgment of Paris tasting, the Decanter World Wine Awards is among the most respected and influential wine competitions in the world. A cadre of nearly 200 judges, including more Masters of Wine (MW), Master Sommeliers (MS) and respected wine professionals than any other wine competition, tasted nearly 11,000 wines in 2010. Globally, less than 3% won a Gold Medal.

To celebrate the Gold Medal awarded to 2005 Elivette, Spring Mountain Vineyard is releasing an extremely limited quantity of the wine to select restaurants. In addition, Spring Mountain is introducing the “Explore Elivette” Wine Tasting at its historic winery, which dates to 1885. Guests will sit at a table deep inside the vineyard’s 19th and 20th Century wine caves  or in the elegant 1885 mansion as they taste through a  vertical selection of Elivette, including library vintages that date back to 2000. Available through June 30, 2011 by advance reservation only, the 90-minute “Explore Elivette” Wine Tasting is $100 per person (waived with purchase of $150 or more per guest).

The creation of Elivette is overseen by winemaker Jac Cole and vineyard manager, Ron Rosenbrand, who together capitalize on the diversity of Spring Mountain’s unique vineyard. Vines are planted in 135 discrete hillside blocks that rise from 400 to 1,600 feet above sea level on the eastern slopes of Napa Valley’s Spring Mountain.  The austere mountain soil yields fewer than two tons of grapes per acre, yet the resulting wines reflect the intensity of each varietal, supple tannin structures and bright acidity. The fruit from each block is kept separate for fermentation and barrel aging in order to preserve its unique qualities. Each year, after selecting only the finest wines from various barrels of the classic Bordeaux varietals, Elivette is blended to become the finest expression of the Spring Mountain Vineyard. 

Spring Mountain Vineyard also makes small productions of estate-bottled Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The wines are aged in 19th and 20th Century wine caves carved into the steep hillside and are sold in distinguished wine shops and fine restaurants. To make a reservation for the “Explore Elivette” Wine Tasting, click here or call (707) 967-4188 between 8AM and 5PM (PST).

About Spring Mountain Vineyard

Spring Mountain Vineyard is an 845-acre, privately owned wine estate situated on the steep slopes of Spring Mountain in Napa Valley, California. Its 225 acres of vineyard are sustainably farmed using a variety of creative methods that work in harmony with the land and enhance wine quality. Spring Mountain Vineyard is planted primarily to Bordeaux grape varietals and is known for its distinctive and long-lived Cabernet Sauvignon, its Sauvignon Blanc and particularly for its signature Bordeaux-style red wine, Elivette.

For more wine information:
www.springmountainvineyard.com