In addition to guiding the viticulture program at Acumen’s acclaimed Edcora and Attelas estate vineyards on Atlas Peak, Derr will help oversee the winery’s grape sales program.
NAPA VALLEY, Calif. – February 9, 2021 – Acumen Napa Valley is excited to announce the appointment of John Derr to the position of viticulturist and grower relations representative. One of the most respected viticulturists in Napa Valley, Derr guides his own company John Derr Farming, LLC, and is a vineyard consultant for such noted wineries as Kapcsándy Family Winery, Ilsley Vineyards and Blankiet Vineyards. As Acumen’s viticulturist, Derr will work closely with Acumen Winemaker Phillip Titus and Vineyard Manager Jesus Gonzalez to oversee the farming of the winery’s 116 acres of CCOF certified organic, high-elevation vineyards on Atlas Peak. Derr will also assist Titus in overseeing Acumen’s grower relations program, which focuses on luxury mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot from the winery’s Attelas and Edcora estate vineyards.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with John at several vineyards over the past 15 years, including the Altimeter Vineyard, which neighbors our own Edcora Vineyard on Atlas Peak,” says Titus. “John is one of the best viticulturists in the business. His winegrowing experience throughout Napa Valley, and specifically on Atlas Peak, makes him the ideal person to work with our in-house team as we continue our mission to create the finest vineyard program on Atlas Peak. John is also universally respected in the industry, which will make him an invaluable asset to our grower relations program.”
Since its founding in 2012, Acumen has been dedicated to establishing Napa Valley’s next great wine estate. To achieve this goal, Acumen acquired two coveted vineyards on Atlas Peak, in the famed eastern mountain of Napa Valley. Named Attelas and Edcora, Acumen’s estate vineyards range in elevation from 1,300 to 1,600 feet, and are planted with a focus on Cabernet Sauvignon and the four other red Bordeaux varieties. Originally planted in 1992, the 32-acre Attelas Vineyard was the ‘home vineyard’ of legendary winegrower Dr. Jan Krupp, and predates his famed Stagecoach Vineyard by three years. Edcora Vineyard, which includes 84 acres of vines, is higher up on Atlas Peak, and is the warmer of the two properties. Two different vintages of Acumen’s limited-production PEAK Edcora Cabernet Sauvignon have earned 100-point scores, and grapes from Acumen’s estate vineyards are regularly purchased by such iconic wineries as Spottswoode and Chappellet. Because of the limited nature of Acumen’s wines, the winery uses less than 25% of its estate fruit each vintage for the production of Acumen wines.
“Atlas Peak is one of the most exciting regions in Napa Valley for mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon,” says Derr. “What Acumen has already achieved on Atlas Peak is quite remarkable, and I am excited to work alongside Phillip and Jesus to take Acumen’s winegrowing to even greater heights.” Wineries interested in acquiring grapes from Acumen’s Edcora and Attelas vineyards should contact Acumen at 707.974.1886.
ABOUT ACUMEN
Acumen was founded in 2012 by entrepreneur Eric Yuan, with the goal of making the finest estate-grown wines on Atlas Peak. To achieve this goal, Acumen farms two estate vineyards—Edcora and Attelas—totaling 116 planted acres. Using grapes from these certified-organic estate vineyards, Acumen crafts a small portfolio of acclaimed mountain-grown wines, with a focus on Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. To learn more, visit www.acumenwine.com.
