Napa Winery Unveils Extraordinary Wine Collection Inspired by Owner’s Japanese Heritage

Yamabuki, 2023 Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley Albariño, 14.2%, $38, 4.5 stars. A vibrant Albariño featuring a blend of citrus and tropical flavors. Expect hints of pineapple, orange zest, and a subtle minerality. Truly captivating.

Chappellet, 2023 Signature, Napa Valley Chenin Blanc, 14.1%, $75, 4 stars. This Chenin Blanc displays layers of Meyer lemon, quince, and nectarine. It presents a balanced and crisp finish. Charming.

Cormorant, 2023 Fenaughty Vineyard, El Dorado County Vermentino, 12.4%, $28, 4 stars. An elegant Vermentino with delightful aromas of white peach, lime, and grapefruit. It ends with a crisp finish. Lovely.

Longboard Vineyards, 2023 Elieo Vineyard, Russian River Valley Albarino, 13.1%, $36, 4 stars. This Albariño bursts with vivid notes of citrus, stone fruit, and minerality, supported by crisp acidity. Expertly crafted.

The honored memory of Shozaburo Dogura, a distinguished entrepreneur and an early advocate for conservation in Japan, lives on through the wines developed by his great granddaughter, Miki Cunat, at Napa’s Materra Cunat Family Vineyards.

Highlighting their offerings is our Wine of the Week, the 2023 Yamabuki from the Oak Knoll District in Napa Valley—a remarkable Albariño priced at $38. Under the expertise of Chelsea Barrett, the Director of Winemaking, this wine dazzles with its vibrant, fresh taste profiles of pineapple, orange zest, and mineral elements.

The wine’s namesake, Yamabuki, is a vibrant yellow flower from the rose family that blooms from April to May in Japan. In Hanakotoba, the Japanese language of flowers, it symbolizes “elegance” and “fortune in finances,” making it an apt homage to the prosperous Dogura.

Dogura’s legacy extends beyond environmental conservation; he contributed to significant infrastructure projects like road and railway constructions in Japan and Taiwan, supported multiple newspapers, and played a key role in founding several prominent educational institutions such as Nihon Joshi Daigaku, Japan’s first university for women, and Doshisha University.

Albariño, a white grape originating from the Galicia region in northwest Spain, is uncommonly found in California vineyards.

“Albariño is relatively rare in our region, presenting a novel tasting adventure for many,” Barrett stated. “It’s a splendid wine, adaptable in pairing with a variety of foods such as seafood, dishes with tomato bases, and naturally, paella.”

In 2020, a Napa Valley winery began cultivating Albariño vines, with their first batch of wine from these grapes appearing in the 2023 vintage.

“Cultivating younger vines requires careful management to establish a robust root system and canopy for future vitality,” Barrett noted. “Thankfully, our estate’s excellent growing conditions and the favorable climate of 2023 have been immensely beneficial.”

Barrett was raised in Calistoga and pursued her higher education at UC Davis, where she specialized in viticulture and enology, graduating in 2010. Post-graduation, she gained experience at Opus One in Oakville and Joel Gott Wines, located in Napa and St. Helena. Following this, she partnered with her mother, Heidi Barrett, to work on Amuse Bouche, Au Sommet, and Aviatrix labels in Calistoga, before taking the lead role in winemaking at Materra in 2019.

Materra, established by Brian and Miki Cunat in 2007, crafts fewer than 10,000 cases of wine annually. The winery’s portfolio includes Albariño, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Syrah.

In June, the winery unveiled its new 10,000-square-foot facility for tastings and events. The venue offers indoor and outdoor tastings beneath 25-foot high ceilings, with features such as dormer windows and a sheltered patio.

Its grand gallery room serves as a rotating exhibit space for the Cunat family’s collection, which includes Japanese artifacts and vintage automobiles. Additionally, the facility includes a private event space and a kitchen designed for catering.

The vision is to have a full-time chef, who will pair traditional Japanese dishes with the winery’s Japanese series of wines.

“We’re extremely excited to welcome guests for a sneak peek of our newly opened tasting room,” said Barrett, adding that the Yamabuki Albariño is one of the most intriguing in the lineup.

“It’s wonderful, because our property is very conducive to growing phenomenal Albariño,” she said.

You can reach wine writer Peg Melnik at 707-521-5310 or peg.melnik@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter) @pegmelnik.

Yamabuki, 2023 Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley Albariño, 14.2%, $38, 4.5 stars. A delicate yet vibrant Albariño bringing together citrus and tropical fruits, featuring accents of pineapple, orange zest, and a mineral touch. Memorable impact.

Chappellet, 2023 Signature, Napa Valley Chenin Blanc, 14.1%, $75, 4 stars. Accented with notes of Meyer lemon, quince, and nectarine, this Chenin Blanc has a balanced composition, completing with a crisp finish. Delightful.

Cormorant, 2023 Fenaughty Vineyard, El Dorado County Vermentino, 12.4%, $28, 4 stars. Exhibiting delightful aromas of white peach, lime, and grapefruit, this Vermentino is noted for its crisp finish. Attractive.

Longboard Vineyards, 2023 Elieo Vineyard, Russian River Valley Albarino, 13.1%, $36, 4 stars. A well-executed Albariño characterized by effervescent citrus, stone fruit, and mineral flavors supported by a lively acidity.

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About the Author: Chris Lehoux

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