 Milat Vineyards is on 20 acres in the heart of the Napa Valley. The property is on the west side of Highway 29, northern border of Rutherford Appellation and the southern boundary of St. Helena Appellation.
The soil is bale loam and rocky gravel, which allows for good drainage. Many years ago, Sulphur Creek ran through the property, hence the gravelly soil. The irrigation season from May through August is key to achieving full berries and less dehydration. The warm temperatures settle in on the flat valley floor, which is protected by the surrounding mountains. With this type of soil and exposure, the vines begin spring growth early and harvest occurs in August/September.
The variety most dominate on the property is Cabernet Sauvignon - 12 acres. The newest section of Cabernet is 5 acres which was planted in ’06. Napa Valley Cabernet is best for our warm climate and long growing season. There are 3 acres of Zinfandel, which have big plump bunches. Zinfandel is the variety our family has grown for the longest. There is only 1 acre of Chenin Blanc since it is a high yield grape and loves the warm climate. There is also l 1/2 acres of Merlot and Chardonnay. All are planted in blocks for pruning and picking reasons.
All the vineyard practices from trellis systems, shoot positioning, water regimen, rootstock selection and even which varieties to plant, are all part of our family decisions. Our family has been farming this land since the late 40’s and the experience of hard work continues today. Great winemaking begins in the vineyard and "Estate Bottled" gives us the consistency and quality we have achieved. |