Napa, CA (March 23, 2022) – BRAND Napa Valley, the prestigious estate atop Pritchard Hill, today announced BRAND Vineyard N°95 Cabernet Sauvignon, debuting this spring with the 2018 vintage. The new Vineyard N°95 Cabernet Sauvignon joins the existing portfolio of estate-produced wines, including BRAND Cabernet Sauvignon, BRAND Proprietary Blend, and BRAND White Wine. Harvested from the property’s vineyard at 1,200 feet, this Bordeaux-style blend is aged in French oak for 20 months and bottled unfined and unfiltered.
“We are excited to introduce BRAND Vineyard N°95 this year as we continue to develop our portfolio and explore the concept of place that we find so special at BRAND,” said Jim Bean, co-proprietor of BRAND Napa Valley. “As our decade-old vineyards continue to mature, the characteristics of each distinct site are being revealed. Each flagship red wine represents a unique vineyard and elevation, with Vineyard N°95 named for the winery-adjacent vineyard from which these grapes are harvested.”
BRAND Vineyard N°95 is a vibrant and youthful blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Cabernet Franc that displays dazzling notes of black cherry, cocoa powder, and cardamom. 2018 was an esteemed vintage of both nuance and impact, and the moderate and consistent growing season allowed the grapes to gracefully reach their maximum potential. The 2018 Vineyard N°95 can be enjoyed right away to experience a pure embodiment of Pritchard Hill or aged beautifully in the cellar for years to come.
The new BRAND label, affixed to this latest release and featuring hand-rendered artwork by artist and graphic designer Michael McDermott, was first introduced with the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2018 Proprietary Blend last year. Grounded in a clear sense of place and inspired by the bold architecture of the hilltop winery, the new logo represents a new era for BRAND Napa Valley.
A famed estate on Napa’s Pritchard Hill, BRAND Napa Valley was acquired by Jim Bean and Christine O’Sullivan in 2019 from the original founders. Since then, the team has continued to nurture the beloved winery and vineyards, making thoughtful investments in organic farming with biodynamic practices, a new vineyard management team, tasting room redesign, and the inaugural release of BRAND White Wine. Now, the BRAND label expands with Vineyard N°95 Cabernet Sauvignon as the estate enters a new phase of exploration and refinement in 2022 and beyond.
The 2018 BRAND Vineyard N°95 Cabernet Sauvignon is now available through the BRAND Napa Valley mailing list and select retailers nationwide.
About BRAND Napa Valley
Founded in 2009 and acquired in 2019 by long-time Napa Valley grape growers and former Apple executives Jim Bean and Christine O’Sullivan, the BRAND Napa Valley estate sits on a stunning 110-acre property atop Pritchard Hill. The winery, designed by Architect Juan Carlos Fernandez, exemplifies environmentally sensitive designs and aligns with BRAND’s focus on sustainability. A total of 15 planted acres are organically farmed and thoughtfully cultivated, with a total of 16 individual vineyard blocks curated to 13 different rootstock and clonal combinations of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. BRAND Napa Valley produces three red flagship wines—BRAND Cabernet Sauvignon, BRAND Proprietary Blend, and BRAND Vineyard N°95—alongside the limited release BRAND White Wine. Biodynamic farming practices were initiated in 2020 because BRAND believes what is below the ground should be as full of life as what grows above.
Director of Winemaking Philippe Melka has been involved in BRAND from its inception and is highly involved in all aspects of farming and winemaking. Winemaker Matt Johnson works closely with Melka, cultivating and creating BRAND wines that express the distinctive beauty of this estate, while Cellar Master Robbie Crabb oversees boots-on-the-ground production and facilities management for BRAND’s growing portfolio. Longtime industry expert Janet Pagano oversees business, production, sales, and marketing operations as COO, and Director of Hospitality and Sales Kristi Devine manages all DTC sales and marketing. Guests can schedule tours and tastings by appointment. For more information, please visit www.brandnapavalley.com.
