{"product_id":"2021-tench-vineyards-estate-cabernet-sauvignon-oakville-750ml","title":"2021 Tench Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville (750ml)","description":"\u003cp\u003eUsually only available to private winery members, I was able to get exclusive access to Tench Vineyards Cabernets from the last two epic Napa vintages! The Tench Vineyard in Oakville is one of the most sought after vineyards in the valley because it sits directly adjacent to Screaming Eagle (see map below). In fact, after my visit there recently, it could be argued that the red soil (Tierra Roja) that carries Tench's most precious old vines is more vibrant than that of Screaming Eagle. The Tench family planted the vineyard in the late 1960s and always sold their grapes to other producers such as Neibaum, Nickel \u0026amp; Nickel and most recently Bevan Cellars. In 2017 Tench produced only a few barrels of their first Estate Cabernet with the grapes coming from their best parcel with the oldest vines. Now, third generation owner Magaret Tench, is fully committed to producing a landmark Cabernet who can shine just as bright as their star studded neighbors. \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIt must also be noted that Tench does not submit the wines for professional reviews because she wants to have wine lovers make up their own minds about what they have in the glass and not be influenced by reviews. It's obvious that the family is serious about producing the best wine they can but building the buzz organically through wine drinkers. The vineyard is also validated in the fact that winemaker Russell Bevan has already earned huge press and multiple 100 point scores for his wines that he has sourced from various plots from the Tench Vineyard. At only 200 cases per year the Tench Cabernet is practically a unicorn and The Wine Club is very honored to be able to share some with our discerning clientele. Cheers - Geoff\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Informal” Mission Statement:\u003cbr\u003eInspired by past generations, we consider it our fortunate responsibility to continue the legacy of farming this land and growing exceptional grapes; while also establishing a Tench Vineyards estate wine that reflects not only our perseverance, passion and commitment but also the authenticity and nobility of this unique place in Oakville.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHistory:\u003cbr\u003eOur family’s history in the Napa Valley originally began with Margaret Tench’s pioneering ancestors who, in 1846 before gold was discovered in California, turned west and followed the trail towards the setting sun and arrived in Napa, California in 1848. They started running The Napa Journal newspaper soon thereafter.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhile Margaret’s maternal ancestors had already been enjoying the Napa Valley for nearly a century, it wasn’t until John and Joan Tench (Margaret’s paternal grandparents), moved to California from England in the 1920s, that the two sides of Margaret’s family intertwined. John Tench came from a farming family that bred the first Hereford cattle in 1802 in Bromfield, a small village in Shropshire, England. It seemed a natural extension, therefore, to purchase some farmland in Oakville – and raise Hereford cattle. John and Joan purchased our Oakville property in 1965 and soon realized that winegrapes were better suited than cattle. They planted vines and began selling grapes to different wineries in the Napa Valley.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSoon after the first grapes were planted, John and Joan Tench’s youngest son, Brian Tench, married the Napa , California pioneering native, Adair. Brian and Adair assumed responsibility of the vineyard and the first Tench Vineyard designated Cabernet Sauvignon was produced by Gustave Niebaum winery in the 1980s. Indeed, the focus remained rooted to producing exceptional grapes for other wineries resulting in many Tench Vineyards designated labels over the years. Brian and Adair’s daughters, Margaret and Louise, grew up exploring the vineyard, tasting the grapes, and fishing in the pond. The magic of this place well and truly ingrained.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe baton was passed to Margaret and her husband, Rem, in 2016. They moved to the property with their two young children and assumed day to day responsibility of the vineyard. Inspired by the courage of past generations, after many decades of growing grapes for other wineries, they made the leap to build a winery with caves; a home for their estate wines. The winery and caves were completed days before the 2017 harvest – just in time to produce the inaugural Tench Vineyards botting.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMargaret and Rem aim to establish a Tench Vineyards estate wine that not only honors the legacy and successes found in the vineyard from past generations but takes it a step further; to commit that same perseverance and passion to winemaking as well – all within the Tench Vineyards estate. Immediately upon harvest, the grapes need only travel the short distance up the knoll to its dedicated winery. While modern technology and premium winemaking amenities greet the grapes, it is the hands-on approach, true attention to detail and passion from the winemaking team which elevates it to its full potential.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Vineyard\u003cbr\u003eTench Vineyards is situated in eastern Oakville where the Vaca Range and valley floor converge to form the eastern Oakville bench and enjoy being direct neighbors with Screaming Eagle. Planted to 42 acres, the vineyard comprises a variety of soil types that have been identified to best match the scions and rootstocks planted in each vineyard block. The eastern flank of the vineyard consists of the signature rocky and iron rich golden-red soils that make eastern Oakville famous. The rocky and nutrient deficient soils allow us to hone optimal vine stress producing exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon based wines. Although Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant cultivar planted on the property, a few blocks are dedicated to small amounts of Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Sauvignon Blanc.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn addition to vines, Tench Vineyards includes a 19-acre knoll that is covered by an Oak forest, fruit trees and grasslands. It is home to a wide array of animals that co-exist with the surrounding vineyards, including the red tail hawk, which can be seen hunting throughout the vineyard. The knoll, together with the surrounding hills and consistent afternoon winds, create a unique microclimate in this part of eastern Oakville producing wines that are balanced, suspenseful and alive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Default","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47402731864322,"sku":null,"price":195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0092\/1419\/7817\/files\/25868b74-f7fa-46e7-aba0-44d03ede8955.png?v=1771977978","url":"https:\/\/thewineclub.com\/products\/2021-tench-vineyards-estate-cabernet-sauvignon-oakville-750ml","provider":"The Wine Club","version":"1.0","type":"link"}