Homestead is made by Eakle Ranch Vineyards, which are planted on an 80 acre Ranch located in the north eastern corner of Napa valley. The property is nestled among giant native oak trees and abundant wildflowers, at an elevation of 650 feet above sea level. The vineyards were planted in 1995, starting with ten acres and grew steadily to twenty-five acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, twenty-seven acres Merlot, five acres Sangiovese, four acres Zinfandel and two acres of Petit Verdot. These Estate vineyards are sustainably farmed by the Eakle family, who has been farming for five generations in Napa valley. These vines produce a rich yet fruit forward wine due to the terroir and microclimate.
The Pope Valley Winery was founded in 1897, by Ed Haus as Burgundy Winery & Olive Oil Factory. A century later in 1997, the Eakle family purchased the historic winery and gave it a new life as Pope Valley Winery. In 2009, the next generation of Eakles stepped in to continue building and furthering the family's vision for Pope Valley Winery as a fine winemaking establishment. Currently siblings, David Eakle as winemaker along with consulting winemaker Shaun Richardson and Diana Eakle Hawkins as general manager, are making great strides in bringing Pope Valley Winery to the next level.
The unique microclimate here is marked by lots of warm sunny summer days and cool pleasant nights this temperature variation produces rich full bodied luscious wines. Sangiovese is a natural here. The warm days and cool nights are just like what this grape is used to in its native lands, Chianti located in the Tuscan hills of Italy. When properly grown, it produces a rich, full-bodied wine of intense color and flavor. This selection is truly a tribute to its great Italian heritage with notable spicy, leathery and plum flavors followed by a long and beautifully endowed finish. A great match with lamb saddle bathed in rosemary and garlic.
February Vintners Series Newsletter (.pdf)
