2018 Ashes & Diamonds Blanc No. 4, Napa Valley, California, USA

ABOUT THIS WINE

The harvest date was between September 3-25. Vinification is 100% barrel fermented. No stirring took place. The wine was aged for 10 months in barrel (25% new French oak).

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

The property is 40 acres of which 55 acres are planted – primarily to Merlot (the vines towards the front of their driveway) and Cabernet Franc (behind the winery). Also smaller blocks of other varieties which they sell to other area producers. Owner Kashy Khaledi is well connected in the world of advertising, multimedia, music and film. He has worked with MTV among other outlets. Today he divides his time between his primary residence in Los Angeles and the Napa Valley.

And Kashy is also well connected in the Napa wine world – his parents are Darioush and Shahpar Khaledi, the founders of nearby Darioush Winery.

In fact, this property used to be owned by Darioush (they still provide the vineyard management services on site). After Kashy purchased the property, when it was time to build a winery he reached out to his connections in the entertainment world. Barbara Bestor is an architect based in Los Angeles who is known for designing a diversity of buildings including the Beats Electronics Headquarters in Culver City, Nasty Gal Headquarters in Los Angeles and a number of stores, restaurants, and private residences – mostly in Los Angeles. This is her first winery project.