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RETREAT HOUSE VINEYARD

Appellation: St. Helena, Napa Valley   Acres: ~3.5

Soils: There are a variety of soils and exposures at this interesting site thanks to its complex geology.  This is the location of the original Christian Brother Retreat House and vineyard, a landmark from the turn of the 19th century.  For the most part, the property is a mixture of rocks and alluvial soils with a significant percentage of magnesium rich serpentine in the alluvium.  As with many of the best vineyards in the world, it is fertility challenged.

Climate: With its well-protected location just west of St. Helena against the foothills of the Mayacamas, Retreat House vineyard is warm without being hot. The variations in the site, rather than fluctuations in climate, have created three distinct ripening zones in the vineyard.

Varieties: Merlot

Comments: This is a challenging, but rewarding site. It is rimmed by a forest of fir trees.  Our wines from Retreat House are distinctive, dark, meaty and packed with character.

Grapes Used In: 2005 Paramount Red Wine