Stagecoach Vineyard: world-class Napa Cabernets from a high-altitude gem

By Helen Arnold

Published 12-September-2024

Partner content

Sitting high above the fog at up to 1,750 feet, Stagecoach Vineyard is the largest contiguous vineyard in Napa Valley. Helen Arnold speaks to Zach Watkins, winemaker at Louis M. Martini, to find out what’s so special about these high-altitude wines, and the particular challenges the vineyard presents.

(Partner story with Gallo)

When asked to describe the Stagecoach Vineyard, where grapes for some of Louis M. Martini’s most renowned Cabernet Sauvignons are grown, winemaker Zach Watkins sums it up in two words: “rigorous terrain.”

The high-altitude site, which is situated between 1,100 and 1,750 feet, was acquired by Louis M. Martini’s parent company, Californian wine giant Gallo, from Krupp Brothers back in 2017, underlining the company’s commitment to competing within the luxury wine sector.

A vineyard of distinction

Stagecoach Vineyard’s origins, however, date back much further – all the way to the 19th century, when the site was first discovered by early German settlers who stumbled across the well-drained soils and perfect growing conditions. Soon, their grapes were reaching record high prices in Napa Valley.

Sadly, the introduction of Prohibition in the 1920s rapidly brought things to a grinding halt, and viticulture in the region was largely abandoned. It wasn’t until more than 70 years later, in 1991, when Dr Jan Krupp bought the site (complete with 100 year old vines), that new life was breathed into the vineyard. It was no easy task, taking over seven years to clear what weighed in as a billion pounds of volcanic rock; there was also the issue of finding a water source to irrigate the arid land. With the help of geologists as well as a water diviner, an underwater stream was discovered and Krupp went on to re-establish a thriving vineyard.

Stagecoach now stands proudly as a historical part of the Napa Valley landscape – within a 1,300-acre site, the 600 acres planted to vine comprise the region’s largest contiguous vineyard, stretching from the southeastern corner of the Pritchard Hill subregion, just outside of Oakville, to the far reaches of Atlas Peak to the west. Of the 16 varietals planted across the vineyard’s 204 blocks, Cabernet Sauvignon dominates, aided by the longer ripening season afforded by the site’s altitude; the rocky, mineral-rich soils lead to wines with highly distinctive aromas, big tannins and complex flavours specific to the terroir.

After the buyout, Gallo honoured all existing grape contracts negotiated for Stagecoach and continues to sell fruit to over 80 different wineries, many of whom have been involved from the outset.

Wines crafted around Cabernet

Stagecoach grapes now go into a key selection of wines across the Gallo portfolio. For Louis M. Martini, this includes the ‘Stagecoach Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (part of the Crown Cabernet Collection dedicated to showcasing distinct site-specific characteristics of the brand's most prestigious mountain plots) and the flagship ‘Lot No. 1’ Cabernet Sauvignon blend, which Watkins describes as “a true vintner’s blend.”

“Year after year, we carefully select fruit for ‘Lot No. 1’ from the mountain and benchland vineyards,” he says. “As they age separately in-barrel, the winemaking team and I determine the ideal lots needed to create a blend that embodies the power, depth and uniqueness of that specific vintage.”

A small portion of Stagecoach grapes also goes into the ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon; the vineyard is a continuous thread through many much-loved wines across the portfolio.

The challenges of high-altitude vineyards

Such a mountainous terrain presents many challenges for Watkins and his team, with the site encompassing several soil depths, types and microclimates, and requiring high levels of attention and care to grow the grapes successfully. “The mountainous landscape, which is unique in terms of its isolated location and unforgiving terrain, provides inherent challenges and, as a result, most of the farming is done less by mechanisation and more by hand,” explains Watkins. “This need for precision allows us to be more strategic about specification and modify the handwork to create the right fruit environment for different styles of winemaking.”

The Stagecoach Vineyard, which teems with wildlife and is home to many indigenous flora and fauna including coyotes, bobcats and mountain lions, is certified sustainable under the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. Over half of the 600 acres under vine is dedicated to growing Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, while Cabernet Franc and Merlot are other varietals cultivated within the site. “Many of these additional varieties are used to enhance our blends,” confirms Watkins.

Reliably robust wines, year on year

While the 2023 vintage was “uncharacteristically cool,” which delayed ripening and resulted in a later-than-usual harvest, this year’s growing season has been a bit warmer, with Watkins reporting that “things are moving along nicely” for 2024.

“Fruit from Stagecoach performs consistently year after year, delivering ripe mountain fruit with strong characteristics,” he explains. “Any given yield can range from harvest to harvest for various reasons, but generally are lower than that of the valley floor due to berry size.”

So just what is it that makes Stagecoach Cabernets so special? According to Watkins, it’s all down to the terroir. “From the towering volcanic terrain in the eastern reaches of Napa, Stagecoach is among the most renowned vineyards in the valley,” he says. “The development of the site is so unique. Like the gigantic boulders found in the vineyard itself, Stagecoach wines are robust and unhindered, characterised by notes of dense fruit framed by resolved tannins.

“Since purchasing, Gallo has remained committed to honouring the history and heritage of the vineyard and continuing the tradition of excellence that Stagecoach is known for.”

Read more about Gallo here.