"Black currant, graphite and hints of tar aromas follow through to a full body with soft and layered tannins and a velvety softness that delivers plushness. It’s almost all cabernet sauvignon with a touch of petit verdot. Needs three or four years to open and come together." -James Suckling (Hewitt Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021 vintage)
Crafting the finest expression of Cabernet Sauvignon is both our philosophy and our promise. At Hewitt Vineyard, we are privileged to work with an exceptional estate—over 58 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon vines rooted in the heart of Rutherford. While our wine is most often 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, blending remains a key part of our winemaking journey, allowing us to shape a wine of remarkable depth, balance, and elegance.
Each vintage begins with a meticulous selection of fruit. Only the highest-quality blocks are chosen to represent Hewitt Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, giving our winemaking team a rich palette of flavors and textures to work with. The limited production reflects our uncompromising standards—only the best of the best makes it into the bottle.
Once harvested, grapes are carefully hand-sorted twice—first as whole clusters, and again after de-stemming to inspect each individual berry. This painstaking process retains about 70% whole berries, preserving the integrity and vibrancy of the fruit.
Fermentation begins with a two to five-day cold soak, which allows the wine to develop intense color and flavor before the yeast is introduced. Extended skin contact during fermentation further enhances the wine’s complexity, structure, and varietal character.
Our wines undergo malolactic fermentation in barrel, with bâtonnage—gentle stirring of the lees—used to build mouthfeel and round out natural acidity. This traditional practice softens the tannins and creates a supple, layered texture. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels, with four careful rackings throughout the aging process to naturally clarify the wine
While the wine may be 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, multiple blending sessions take place throughout the winemaking process. Each component is thoughtfully evaluated for its role in the final expression—whether contributing richness, structure, aromatic lift, or textural finesse.
Once the final blend is perfected, the wine is bottled without fining to preserve its natural character and purity. The result is a Cabernet Sauvignon of rare pedigree—bold yet refined, expressive of Rutherford terroir, and true to the legacy of Hewitt Vineyard.
Senior Winemaker
Early in his career, Nate Weis learned something he deems very important for a winemaker: humility.
“When you’re making a wine with a very established style, it’s not about you. It’s about the wine people love. Evolving it to make it better every year but ensuring that continuity, too.”
Nate originally studied neuroscience but decided to follow his father into winemaking instead. Having grown up in Napa, he says, “I had this in my blood.” He earned his MS in viticulture and enology at UC Davis eventually leading winemaking and grape growing operations at Silver Oak. He joined Hewitt Vineyard in 2025 as General Manager and Senior Winemaker where he looks forward to stewarding its unique, single-vineyard terroir.
“Hewitt Vineyard is a hidden gem that naturally yields exceptional wines. Every vintage, our vineyard, cellar, and winemaking team pour their efforts into letting the character of this place shine through in every glass.”
