At the inaugural Wine Speak, seven Cabernet Sauvignon winemakers—from Napa Valley, Columbia Valley, Victoria (Australia), Happy Canyon, Paso Robles and Ballard Canyon—came to share their insight into what this global grape variety can be. We now continue the sharing and discussions with four new experts who will help us explore the distinctions of Cabernet Sauvignons grown in different regions and made in different styles.
Panelists:
Helen worked with wine legends such as consultant Michel Rolland, viticulturist David Abreu and winemaker Heidi Peterson Barrett, and made wine at Bryant Family Vineyard before focusing on her own label. She was named “Winemaker of The Year” by Food & Wine Magazine and was featured on the cover of Wine Spectator Magazine. She also consults for other wineries such as Napa Valley’s Carte Blanche. Helen will share her experience of creating some of California’s most coveted Cabernets.
The Scherrer Vineyard is located on a bench in the Alexander Valley that is composed of gravelly clay loam soils. The Cabernet Sauvignon vines planted here in 1990 are the sole source for the estate bottling. Being a noted Pinot Noir and Zinfandel specialist, Fred has a distinct take on what Cabernet Sauvignon can be. Fred will share how his gentle, nurturing touch results from many years of working with Pinot Noir, and how it shapes his other wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon.
Eric’s breathtaking Booker estate unfolds along a mix of calcareous / siliceous soil in the rolling hillsides of Paso Robles. In addition to growing and crafting a highly acclaimed portfolio of standout red Rhône variety blends—which are quite lavish, dense and flamboyant—Eric is now also part of the Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon revolution. Eric will be sharing one of his standouts and telling stories of how it came to be.