2021 Hendry Wines Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, California, USA

ABOUT THIS WINE

The Hendry vineyard sits at the base of Mt. Veeder, (below the boundaries of the appellation itself) and is composed of low, rolling alluvial hills. A channel between these hills and the nearby mountain forest provides a channel of cooler airflow from the Bay. Our Cabernet Sauvignon vines grow on thin, stony soil on benchlands above the winery, between 150 and 300 feet above sea level. All of the blocks are on St. George rootstock. The dry, alluvial and volcanic soil in these blocks means that they are slow-maturing and low-yielding, giving us concentrated, complex fruit.

In 2021, budbreak in these blocks was April 7th. Bloom was May 22nd.  Harvest took place from September 11th through the 29th. The average bloom-to-harvest period was 125 days. Average yield throughout Block 8 was 1.63 tons per acre. 

After a warm fermentation and extended maceration, the wine was aged 23 months in approximately 90% new barrels. French oak cooperage was primarily Taransaud and Berger barrels, with a few Demptos and Sylvain. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Unfined. 

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Hendry Ranch Wines is a family-owned Napa Valley estate with roots dating back to 1939, when the Hendry family purchased the property. Located in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains near Mount Veeder, the ranch includes historic vineyard land first planted in the 19th century. For decades, the family focused primarily on farming, selling fruit to notable Napa producers before releasing the first Hendry wines with the 1992 vintage.

Today, Hendry takes a detailed, block-by-block approach to its estate vineyards, with roughly 30 individual blocks reflecting differences in soil, elevation, exposure, and grape variety. The ranch benefits from cooling marine influence from southern Napa Valley, allowing the family to grow an unusually diverse range of grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Albariño, and Malbec. Farming is focused on sustainability, with cover crops, composting, and minimal intervention, though the estate is not certified organic.

All Hendry wines are made from estate-grown fruit, with a philosophy centered on letting the vineyard and individual grape varieties speak for themselves. The wines generally favor freshness, structure, and varietal character over excessive ripeness or extraction, offering a more classic and restrained expression of Napa Valley. Zinfandel is a particular standout, reflecting Hendry’s combination of historic farming, thoughtful viticulture, and straightforward winemaking.