Led by Winemaker Nico Cueva, Haynes Reflects Pedigree and Potential of Historic Haynes Vineyard
Napa Valley, CA (June 22, 2023) – Carlton McCoy, Jr. and the Lawrence family are thrilled to announce the launch of Haynes, a collection of exceptionally vibrant, mineral driven, single-estate wines from Haynes Vineyard in Napa Valley’s Coombsville AVA. Launching direct-to-guest this month, Haynes is the third new wine brand for Lawrence Wine Estates and is represented with targeted distribution by its sales and marketing partner, Demeine Estates.
The new brand reflects the creative collaboration between Lawrence Wine Estates Chief Executive Officer and Master Sommelier McCoy and Nico Cueva, who joined Lawrence Wine Estates as Head Winemaker for Haynes in January 2020. Together, they have a vision to honor the pedigree and express the potential of this uniquely singular site. Throughout his career, Nico has worked both in the cellar and in the vineyard in wine regions ranging from Santa Barbara to Australia and South Africa before landing at Kosta Browne in Sonoma as Head Winemaker. Originally an organic farmer, Nico has a deep connection to and respect for the land, bringing to Haynes his commitment to natural farming.
The historic Haynes Vineyard, originally purchased by James Whitford from Nathan Coombs in 1866, is comprised of a 43-acre parcel and includes 27 acres planted to vine. A lower elevation site with a sightline to the San Pablo Bay, this microclimate is distinguished by cooler temperatures, with winds and marine fog often billowing through and lingering amongst the rows of vines. The geographical influences on the prehistoric diatomaceous soils and old vines distinguish the vineyard as one of Napa Valley’s most treasured sites capable of producing wines of generous structure with fresh acidity and minerality.
“Haynes Vineyard is a significant part of the history of the Napa Valley with heritage vines planted in the late 1960s that still thrive today,” says Carlton McCoy, Jr, MS. “It is a place with its own story to tell, and we have the honor and privilege to both preserve the land and launch a new brand to bring the stories of one of the world’s greatest vineyards to life. There is no wine in Napa that tastes like Haynes.”
Haynes seeks to both honor and innovate the classic winemaking style of Napa Valley through low intervention winemaking to craft wines of intent that allow the vineyard to take center stage. The wines showcase the symbiotic relationship between the prehistoric oceanic soils of Coombsville and the decades-old vines firmly rooted there, producing fruit of uncommon vibrancy and transparency of place.
The inaugural offering includes a distinct range of Chardonnays – the Vigneron, Forgeron and Corazon bottlings from the 2020 vintage – as well as the Forgeron Syrah 2021 and Forgeron Pinot noir 2021.
“We view ourselves as shepherds rather than makers and use our collective experience as farmers, geologists, filmmakers and enologists to bring forth wines reflecting the quality and history of the Napa Valley and the Coombsville region,” Cueva said. “Our vision is to nurture a continued admiration for Napa Valley’s old vines, which we recognize as a true rarity and gift.”
The Haynes fine wine range includes:
- HAYNES VIGNERON CHARDONNAY 2020 ($120)
- (Lawrence Wine Estates/Haynes Vineyard)
- HAYNES FORGERON CHARDONNAY 2020 ($150)
- (Lawrence Wine Estates/Haynes Vineyard)
- HAYNES CORAZON CHARDONNAY 2020 ($250)
- (Lawrence Wine Estates/Haynes Vineyard)
- HAYNES FORGERON SYRAH 2021 ($150)
- (Lawrence Wine Estates/Haynes Vineyard)
- HAYNES FORGERON PINOT NOIR 2021 ($150)
- (Lawrence Wine Estates/Haynes Vineyard)
ABOUT HAYNES
Haynes is a Napa Valley estate creating single-estate wines with unmatched vibrancy and energy from its vineyard in the Coombsville AVA. Reflecting a distinct microclimate where heritage vines thrive in prehistoric diatomaceous soil in a cool climate influenced by marine fog, Haynes and Winemaker Nico Cueva are in pursuit of purity of expression. The inaugural range includes the Vigneron, Forgeron and Corazon Chardonnays, Forgeron Syrah and Forgeron Pinot noir. For more information, please visit haynesvineyard.com or follow on Instagram @haynesvineyardnapa.
ABOUT LAWRENCE WINE ESTATES
Lawrence Wine Estates supports a growing collection of wine estates in Napa Valley and France. The collection includes Heitz Cellar, Haynes, Burgess, Ink Grade, Brendel, Stony Hill Vineyards, and Château Lascombes in Bordeaux – all wineries with a deep legacy that are anchored by distinct estate vineyards. Lawrence Wine Estates is led by Master Sommelier and Chief Executive Officer Carlton McCoy, Jr. All the estate wineries honor traditional winemaking philosophies and prioritize biodynamic farming techniques to create pure and balanced wines of the highest quality.
