Four Sisters Vineyard

AVA: Howell Mountain, California

ACREAGE: 2.5 acres

PLANTED: 1.86 acres

ELEVATION: 1744-1784 feet 

ACQUIRED PROPERTY: 2003

PLANTED VINEYARD: 1999; grafted from buds sourced from the famous Crane Vineyard owned by Salvestrin.

PLANTED TO: Zinfandel, we will be planting additional acreage to help meet the demands of our cult Zinfandel.

SOIL: This vineyard resides above the fog line, surrounded by forest of pines, firs madrones and oak trees.  The property’s soil consists of well drained young volcanic rock.  The volcanic rock allows for a well drained, porous soil allowing the vines to self-regulate the amount of water they take in.The vines do struggle to survive, but roots live deep in the water system underground allowing beautiful robust berries and clusters longer than ones  with high flavor concentration and bold tannins. This site is often the last vineyard in the valley to be harvested due to the cool temperatures this specific site sees.

The second property, Rocky Ridge, is owned by the parents, Janice and Marc Mondavi, and provides the perfect location for our Limitless Cabernet Sauvignon.

Rocky Ridge Vineyard

AVA: Howell Mountain, California

The Howell Mountain boundaries are defined by a 1,400 foot elevation contour line as the lowest point and the highest vineyards at 2,500 feet above sea level. The vines share the mountain with pines, oaks, madrone and coastal redwoods.

ACREAGE: 20 acres

PLANTED: 9.68 acres

ELEVATION: 1708-1758 feet 

ACQUIRED PROPERTY: 2001

PLANTED VINEYARD: 2004

PLANTED TO : Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 337, 191, and 341.  We currently source just 191 until 2019, when they began sourcing clone 341.

SOIL: Las Posadas, like all of Howell mountain, resides above the fog line, surrounded by forest of pines, firs and oak trees.  The property’s soil consists of red Aiken soils, layered over white tufa.  This tufa allows for a well drained, porous soil allowing the vines to self-regulate the amount of water they take in. The vines often struggle to survive resulting in tiny berries and elongated clusters with high flavor concentration and big/bold tannins.

Howell Mountain itself has two distinct soils: crumbly white decomposed volcanic ash known as rhyolitic tuff and red, iron-laden soils of clay and volcanic rock. Vines develop good root systems in these well-draining, porous, nutrient-lean soils, allowing them to self-regulate the amount of water they take in. The vines often struggle to survive, resulting in tiny berries and clusters with very high flavor concentration and bold/big tannin structures.

Both vineyards are sustainably farmed and managed by their father’s closest friend, Jim Barbour, considered one of Napa Valley’s most sought after viticulturists. Jim’s meticulous attention to detail and extraordinary green thumb enables him to maintain and develop the unique flavors and perfect ripeness prior to harvest that set Dark Matter wines apart.