Unearthing Lava Cap’s Tectonic Series
August 27, 2025 (Placerville, CA) — In the El Dorado AVA, at the highest vineyard elevations of the Sierra Nevada foothills, the Jones family has built an estate where geology, elevation, and generational stewardship converge – Lava Cap. Building on a range of wines deeply rooted in an enduring connection to geology and distinctive volcanic soils, the Joneses introduce the Tectonic line of wines.
The name, referencing Earth’s crust and the powerful geological processes that shape it, honors David Jones, Lava Cap’s founder, who as a geologist played a significant role in advancing the theory of plate tectonics. The new Tectonic wines are small-lot barrel selections chosen for their remarkable structure and expressiveness. Winemaker Nolan Jones selected the lots for vibrant character, depth, and age-worthiness. He explains, “Every year, certain lots stand out for their ability to capture the essence of our mountain soils and high-elevation vineyards.” He adds, “The Tectonic series is my way of bottling these rare wines not defined by vineyard or variety but by their fascinating and one-of-a-kind expression of El Dorado red wines.” The first release in the series is a 2023 El Dorado Zinfandel. The 2023 El Dorado Barbera will be released before year’s end. Both have an SRP of $40.
Founded in the early 1980s, Lava Cap is deeply connected to the volcanic soils of the El Dorado AVA—specifically the Miocene Mehrten Formation, which imparts the minerality, lift, and structure that distinguish Lava Cap wines as unique in California. David Jones’s legacy and the land science focus of the winery are carried forward by the family’s second and third generations, who remain fiercely committed to understanding the terra firma and how it shows itself in the bottle.
The architects of the Lava Cap brand are second-generation Charlie and Noreen Jones, who have cultivated a deep-rooted commitment to the winery and the El Dorado wine region. This commitment is now stewarded by their children, Emmet, Kevin, and Nolan.
Emmet, educated as a geologist, farms the family’s high-elevation vineyards (2,700–3,100 feet), focusing on long-term soil health and vine resilience over short-term yields. Kevin, who does marketing, has united eight local vintners to collectively promote the El Dorado AVA as the “highlands” of the Sierra Foothills AVA. Nolan oversees winemaking, sales, and marketing and is current president of the regional association. He travels nationally, representing the region with wines that define the winery’s particular connection to the land.
The Tectonic Zinfandel and Barbera will be in national distribution.
About Lava Cap
Lava Cap is a third-generation family farm located in Placerville, California. Its mountain-grown estate grapes are sourced from some of the highest vineyards in California, located in the Sierra Nevada foothills at an elevation of 2,700 feet. The unique volcanic soils, weathered from ancient ash flows, produce wines that are intensely aromatic and luscious, with rich fruit erupting with flavor. Lava Cap wines can be found in markets all over the United States.
