Napa Valley’s first Regenerative Organic Certified® winery expands its portfolio with limited-edition sparkling and Pinot Noir releases
NAPA, Calif. (November 9, 2023) – Mark Neal, founder and owner of Neal Family Vineyards, a boutique winery that specializes in crafting Cabernet Sauvignon from meticulously farmed, 100% biodynamic, and 100% estate vineyards, is pleased to announce his latest vintage under the label, The One & Only Collection. Under the label, the family-operated winery produces limited-edition wines from some of the top vineyard sites in the North Coast. The label launched in 2021 and its current releases include the 2021 One & Only Mariah Vineyards Pinot Noir and the 2021 One & Only Blanc de Blanc both from Mendocino.
“One & Only was named in honor of my parents, Jack and Athene, who met on a blind date right before my father went off to serve as a medic in the Korean War,” said Neal. “While overseas, my father used to write letters to my mom and would sign them, one & only Jack. After my father returned, they got married and moved to Napa, creating a home, family, and business. Throughout their marriage, they were lovebirds and coworkers and would often sneak away from the day’s madness to have a quiet moment together which they called ‘a space between the notes.’ The One & Only Collection is dedicated to my parents’ devotion to each other and our family, as well as to remembering to savor precious moments – both big and small – every day with your loved ones.”
One & Only was born out of decades-long friendships with growers of vineyards formed through Neal’s vineyard management company, Jack Neal & Son (JNS), the largest biodynamic farming operation in the United States. These relationships allow Neal Family to work with different grape varieties to craft wines that align with its ethos and are of the utmost quality. Each wine in the collection is produced only once in limited quantities.
“In honor of my 50th year making wine and my 40th year with California Certified Organic Farmers, I thought it was an ideal vintage to celebrate this momentous milestone with my first sparkling wine,” said Neal.
For Neal’s first Pinot Noir, he decided to work with family-owned and operated Mariah Vineyard because of the similar farming values its owners share. Crafted with fruit grown high above sea level along the Mendocino Ridge, the 2021 One & Only Mariah Vineyards Pinot Noir offers a true expression of the Mendocino Coast. This 100% Pinot Noir unites elegance, vibrancy, and freshness alongside velvety tannins and a finish of remarkable length. Priced at $52 per bottle, this wine can be purchased through the Neal Family Vineyards website. 238 cases were produced.
The 2021 One & Only Blanc de Blanc was crafted with organic-certified grapes sourced from the Anderson Valley. After maturing for seven months in all-natural oak barrels the wine was bottled and triaged for 19 months. Delicate bubbles, excellent concentration, and balance are the hallmarks of this Blanc de Blanc and allow for a pleasant journey from start to finish. This wine can only be purchased through allocation, and it is priced at $75 per bottle. Only 83 cases were produced.
Neal Family Vineyards made headlines last year when it became the first Napa Valley vineyard to be Regenerative Organic Certified® by Patagonia’s Regenerative Organic Alliance. The designation is widely considered the highest international level of organic certification.
Neal Family Vineyards is open by appointment only Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For more information on club membership or to book an appointment, the winery can be contacted by calling 707-965-2800 or visiting www.NealVineyards.com/.
About Neal Family Estates
Family-owned and operated, Neal Family Vineyards is a boutique winery that specializes in crafting Cabernet Sauvignon from meticulously farmed, 100% biodynamic, and 100% estate vineyards on Neal Family’s signature Howell Mountain and Rutherford Dust properties in Napa Valley. Founded by Napa Valley biodynamics pioneer Mark Neal, Neal Family Vineyards believes great wines come from great ingredients that only organic and biodynamic vineyards can produce. After taking a leading role in the implementation of certified organic and biodynamic agricultural practices in Napa Valley, Neal Family continues to commit to organic and biodynamic practices. All four of the winery’s estate vineyards have been certified organic by CCOF since 2009, certified biodynamic by Demeter Biodynamic since 2021, and was the first Napa Valley vineyard to be Regenerative Organic Certified® by Patagonia’s Regenerative Organic Alliance in 2022. Mark also owns and operates Jack Neal & Son (JNS) Vineyard Management, the largest biodynamic farming operation in the United States. For more information, please visit www.NealVineyards.com/.
