March 12, 2026 (Napa, CA) — At the 2026 Premiere Napa Valley auction, The Vice debuted the first orange wine ever offered in the event’s history, marking a milestone for both the winery and Napa Valley’s evolving wine landscape.
The 60-bottle lot sold for $9,720 USD equivalent to $162 per bottle, establishing a global price benchmark for the orange wine category while outperforming several Cabernet Sauvignon lots, and underscoring the growing demand for skin-contact wines.
The wine, “The Vice, Napa’s First Orange,” is crafted from 100% Viognier grown in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. It was skin-fermented for 26 days with native yeast and aged six months in a single 30-gallon French oak barrel.
“Orange wine is one of the fastest-growing segments in the wine industry and perhaps one of the most misunderstood,” said Malek Amrani, founder and winemaker of The Vice. “Demand is driven largely by a new generation of consumers discovering different grape varieties and wine styles.”
The 2026 Premiere Napa Valley auction, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the event, also featured two Cabernet Sauvignon lots from The Vice. One of them, a collaboration with Reynolds Family Winery titled “The Legacy of 1976,” commemorated the 50th anniversary of the historic Judgment of Paris.
“Napa Valley became one of the world’s benchmark wine regions after the Judgment of Paris in 1976. Innovation, camaraderie and pursuit of excellence have always been part of that legacy,” Amrani added.
“Cabernet Sauvignon remains the foundation of both Napa Valley and our own production at The Vice. At the same time, experimenting with orange wine allows us to explore new expressions of Napa Valley while introducing the region to a new generation of wine consumers.”
“Thirty years ago, few would have predicted the global relevance Sauvignon Blanc enjoys today. I believe this year’s Premiere Napa Valley orange wine lot will not be the last.”
Since its founding, The Vice has worked with 19 varietals across vineyards in 15 Napa Valley AVAs, including six varietals produced as skin-contact wines.
Known for small-batch wines sourced across Napa Valley, The Vice produces a diverse portfolio while maintaining a strong focus on Cabernet Sauvignon, which represents the majority of the winery’s production. The winery has also developed one of Napa Valley’s most active orange wine programs, currently producing five skin-contact varietals.
For more information about The Vice Wines visit www.thevice.com
