The Vineyards
The Tamber Bey label derives all its fruit from two family owned vineyards, the Tamber Bey and Two Rivers vineyards located in the middle of Napa Valley around Yountville. Although the two properties lay a mere 500 yards from each other, they are as different as dusk and dawn because of the microclimates due to their proximity to Yount Hill.
The Tamber Bey Estate Vineyard consists of 11-acres located at the southern end of Napa Valley's famous Oakville appellation just north of Yountville. It has gravel/loam soils that are relatively shallow and well-suited to Cabernet. The site enjoys early morning fog and late afternoon breezes influenced by the San Francisco Bay to the south. To encourage competition for sun, water and nutrients, Tamber Bey planted 9000 vines in a tight planting formation.
The Two Rivers Vineyard is a 60 acre parcel situated just east of the town of Yountville. As the name implies, there are two waterways on either side of the vineyard, one being the Napa River. This vineyard is planted to Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. This vineyard even more so has influences from the San Francisco Bay with fog and late afternoon winds.
Our Philosophy
Grapes need to be challenged. Give 'em too much food, heat, and water and they grow fat and lazy. Make them struggle and they will reward you with wines of great complexity and character. Both the Estate and Two Rivers Vineyards are located at the edge of the Cabernet ripening zone. In addition to the marginal climate, Tamber Bey's farming team severely limits yields and restricts water throughout the season. This stresses the plants forcing them to focus most of their energy on ripening fruit, rather than growing leaves. The results are wines that are elegant, balanced, and compelling combining the personality of the site with the flavor of the grape.
Cool-Climate Cabernet
Every variety has an ideal ripening zone, a region where it can consistently produce a balanced wine with pure, accurate varietal character. One of the world's best ripening zones for Cabernet is the Napa Valley. But not all of Napa Valley is suitable for Cabernet. In fact, Napa's Cabernet's ripening zone runs only from Yountville/Oakville in the south to Calistoga in the north. The wines from the warmer northern section of this zone typically emphasize power; those from the cooler south accentuate balance and finesse.
Tamber Bey's Estate Vineyard and Two Rivers Vineyard are set at the southern end of Napa's Cabernet ripening zone. Located respectively in the Oakville and Yountville appellations, both vineyards experience the early morning fog and cool afternoon breezes off San Francisco Bay that help extend the growing season well into October. The region's unusual microclimate gives the wines an elegance that allows the geology of the site to show through without interference from overripe flavors. In addition to Tamber Bey's wines having all the body and lushness one would expect from the Napa Valley, they are also graceful enough to convey the unique minerality and topography of both vineyard sites.
Farming and Winemaking
Great wine can only come from great fruit. To guarantee that Tamber Bey's vineyards are performing at peak levels, Winemaker Thomas Brown works closely with Josh Clark from the farming company. As part of their intensive farming regime, the winery stresses each vineyard to the point of near collapse. Early season deficit irrigation reduces berry size, controls vigor and increases flavor intensity. Extensive thinning, dropping substantial amounts of fruit, promotes even ripening and balance. The influence of the cool maritime breezes allows the fruit to set longer on the vines before harvesting.