A Vintage Defined by Contrast, Precision, and Mount Veeder’s Distinctive Character
July 14, 2026 (Napa Valley, CA) — Mayacamas, the historic Mount Veeder estate renowned for producing some of Napa Valley’s most age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon, today announced the release of its 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon. Shaped by a season of steady ripening and a compressed harvest, the 2022 vintage reflects the distinctive growing conditions of Mount Veeder and Mayacamas’ unwavering commitment to site-driven winemaking.
“The 2022 vintage tells a remarkable story of place,” said Braiden Albrecht, Winemaker at Mayacamas. “Our estate’s varied elevations, exposures, and volcanic mountain soils allowed each block to respond differently throughout the season. Combined with thoughtful farming and careful harvest decisions, the result is a wine that balances the vintage’s warmth and intensity with freshness and structure while remaining unmistakably Mayacamas.”
The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon ($185) opens with intensely aromatic notes of crushed violet, cassis, mountain sage, and graphite. Layers of dark red and blue fruit unfold alongside cedar, bay laurel, and wet slate, while energetic acidity and finely sculpted tannins lend remarkable tension, lift, and aging potential.
The 2022 growing season was defined by contrast. Even fruit development across the estate’s diverse vineyard blocks enabled the team to harvest each parcel at optimal maturity. Thanks to Mount Veeder’s unique growing conditions, including the inversion layer that promotes earlier ripening than at many Napa Valley sites, Mayacamas harvested much of its fruit before the season’s most intense heat, while remaining true to its long-standing philosophy of picking for freshness, balance, and age-worthiness. The estate’s high elevation, maritime influence, and organically farmed vineyards further preserved the wine’s signature style and sense of place.
“One of the most fascinating aspects of the 2022 vintage is its place in the progression of recent years,” added Albrecht. “From the drought-driven concentration of 2021 to the warmth and intensity of 2022 and the extended growing season of 2023, each vintage expresses itself differently. Our role is to preserve those differences through restrained winemaking so that both the vineyard and the season remain clearly visible in every bottle.”
In the cellar, the fruit was handled with a measured approach to extraction to preserve freshness, structure, and sense of place. The wine was aged for 30 months in oak, including 20 months in foudre and 500-liter puncheons, followed by 10 months in 225-liter barrels. The final blend is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Approximately 2,300 cases were produced.
Alongside the release of the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mayacamas will also offer a limited library release of its 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon ($250). Produced during an exceptional growing season and now showing more than a decade of graceful evolution in bottle, the 2012 offers collectors and longtime enthusiasts a rare opportunity to experience the remarkable longevity that has become a hallmark of Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon. Both wines will be available through the Mayacamas mailing list in August, with the 2012 offered in limited quantities.
The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon will be available to the winery’s mailing list in August, followed by select national distributors.
Founded in 1889, Mayacamas is one of Napa Valley’s most historic wineries, situated high on the slopes of Mount Veeder. Since the 1950s, the vinification of Mayacamas wines has remained remarkably consistent, with a steadfast commitment to classical techniques that define the winery’s distinctive style. Purchased by the Jay Schottenstein family in 2013, Mayacamas continues its legacy through meticulous vineyard stewardship, CCOF-certified organic farming, and thoughtful restoration of the historic estate. Under the direction of winemaker Braiden Albrecht, the winery remains dedicated to crafting wines of longevity, authenticity, and place. Visitors can experience Mayacamas through tastings at the downtown Napa tasting room or immersive vineyard tours atop Mount Veeder. For more information, visit http://www.mayacamas.com.
