In 2023, Napa Valley experienced one of the longest growing seasons in a decade or more. With consistent, mild weather throughout the season, above-average crop yields, and extended hang time, 2023 is an exceptional, high-quality, memorable vintage.

Winter and spring rains led to full reservoirs and healthy, saturated soils; ideal conditions as grape growers headed into bud break. The mild, warm summer weather (72-75 degrees F) supported healthy canopy growth through bloom and set. Though vineyards faced mildew pressure, clusters remained loose for good air flow.

Harvest kicked off around Labor Day weekend (September 2-4, 2023) for white wine grapes; all picks wrapped up by mid-November. Vintners relished the long harvest season, which provided extended hang time to develop flavors. Winemakers describe the wines as having freshness, purity and elegance overall.

Fermentation commenced in temperature-controlled micro stainless-steel tanks until sugar conversion was half complete. Then, the must was transferred to barrels to finish the fermentation. The wines aged in both new and neutral French Oak barrels.

The genesis of great wines begins with exceptional vineyards. Riedel Vineyard, nestled between Sugarloaf Mountain and Howell Mountain in Napa Valley, is a true labor of love. Planted in 2004 with cuttings from one of the most renowned Sauvignon Blanc rootstocks—whose lineage traces back to the esteemed Château d'Yquem and was first introduced to California by wine pioneer Charles Wetmore in the 1880s—this site carries a remarkable heritage. A decade later, using the same traditional trellising methods of the 19th century, we produced our first vintage of Sauvignon Blanc. Since then, the Heritage Block at Riedel Vineyard has continued to yield expressive, beautifully balanced Sauvignon Blanc year after year.

BLEND: 100% Sauvignon Blanc

The 2021 vintage will be remembered for low yields with intensely-flavored, small-sized berries and a smooth and uneventful harvest season. The season started off with very little rain, leading to the 2nd year of drought conditions in Napa Valley, Harvest began early with white wine grapes picked on July 30th and red wine grapes beginning on August 31. While concerning in the long term, the drought of 2021 resulted in a more natural load on the vines, requiring less pruning and dropping of fruit. The resulting grapes are packed full of flavor. Winemakers across the valley are excited about the prospects of the 2021s and it is likely the smaller yields per vine and smaller berry size will result in another amazing vintage from Napa Valley.

Fermentation commenced in temperature-controlled micro stainless-steel tanks until sugar conversion was half complete. From there, the must was transferred to barrel with 10% of the final blend fermented and aged in new French oak and the balance held in 1- to 2-year-old neutral French oak barrels.

The genesis of great wines is great vineyards. Oso Vineyard, located between Sugarloaf Mountain and Howell Mountain in the great Napa Valley, is truly a special labor of love. In 2004, this spot was planted with cuttings from one of the best-known rootstocks of Sauvignon Blanc with origins tracing to the esteemed Château d'Yquem and which first made its way to California via Charles Wetmore, renowned wine pioneer of the 1880s. Ten years after planting and using the same trellising methods from the 19th century, we made our first vintage of Sauvignon Blanc. Since then, the Heritage Block has delivered beautiful Sauvignon Blanc, vintage after vintage.

BLEND: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
ALCOHOL: 14.5%
TA: 5.9 g/L
pH: 3.34

The 2020 season will be remembered for factors beyond the normal measurements. In Napa Valley, it was a warm, dry winter without rain and cold weather until the end of March. Throughout the mild spring season, the wineries of Napa Valley worked under extensive safety protocols due to the COVID pandemic. Summer brought very cool mornings and very warm days. This build-up to harvest was interrupted by two wildfires: the LNUComplex Fire started on August 17th and the Glass Fire started onSeptember 27th. The Animo Sauvignon Blanc was harvested the morning ofAugust 17th and was the only Michael Mondavi Family wine to be produced in 2020 due to the fires.

Fermentation commenced in temperature-controlled micro stainless-steel tanks until sugar conversion was half complete. From there, the must was transferred to barrel with 15% of the final blend fermented and aged in new French oak and the balance held in 1-to 2-year-old neutral French oak barrels.

The genesis of great wines is great vineyards. Oso Vineyard, located between Sugarloaf Mountain and Howell Mountain in the great Napa Valley, is truly a special labor of love. In 2004, this spot was planted with cuttings from one of the best-known rootstocks of Sauvignon Blanc with origins tracing to the esteemed Château d'Yquem and which first made its way to California via Charles Wetmore, renowned wine pioneer of the 1880s. Ten years after planting and using the same trellising methods from the 19th century, we made our first vintage of Sauvignon Blanc. Since then, the Heritage Block has delivered beautiful Sauvignon Blanc, vintage after vintage.

BLEND: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
AGING: 15% new French oak for 7 months, 85% neutral French oak
ALCOHOL 13.9%
TA 7.7 g/L
pH 3.3
CASES PRODUCED: 170

The beginning of the 2019 growing season was defined by copious rainfall and late soil moisture. The long, warm summer saw very few extreme heat events, with foggy mornings setting the stage for vibrant & expressive wines. The long, relatively mild finish to the season, not without its moments of unpredictability, helped to preserve freshness and finesse in the fruit with abundant hang time teasing out great color, structure, and tannins. Yield size is slightly below average. All in all, exceptional fruit with bright acidity and ample texture promises an amazing vintage.

Fermentation commenced in temperature-controlled micro stainless-steel tanks until sugar conversion was half complete. From there, the must was transferred to barrel with 15% of the final blend fermented and aged in new French oak and the balance held in 1- to 2-year-old neutral French oak barrels.

The genesis of great wines is great vineyards. Our Oso Vineyard, located between Sugarloaf Mountain and Howell Mountain in the great Napa Valley, is truly a special labor of love. In 2004, our family planted this spot with cuttings from one of the best-known rootstocks of Sauvignon Blanc with origins tracing to the esteemed Château d'Yquem and which first made its way to California via Charles Wetmore, renowned wine pioneer of the 1880s. Ten years after planting and using the same trellising methods from the 19th century, we made our first vintage of Sauvignon Blanc. Since then, our Heritage Block has delivered beautiful Sauvignon Blanc, vintage after vintage.

BLEND: 100% Sauvignon Blanc AGING: 15% new French oak for 7 months, 85% neutral French oak ALCOHOL 13.9%; TA 7.8 g/L; pH 3.2 CASES PRODUCED 200 SRP: $65

February 2018 saw abundant rains, followed by lots of filtered light in spring and early summer. Both bud break and flowering occurred a bit late, but under ideal weather conditions, creating plentiful and even fruit set. Summer brought generous sun during the day and cooler marine influences, virtually uninterrupted by major heat spikes. The relatively mild summer followed by extended fall sunshine and moderate heat created near-ideal conditions for winemakers to allow their fruit to accumulate flavor complexity with gradual increases in sugar levels. Volume was great, up 20-30% over average crop quantity and harvest was completed just after Labor Day.

Fermentation commenced in temperature-controlled micro stainless steel tanks until sugar conversion was half complete. From there, the must was transferred to barrel with 15% of the final blend fermented and aged in new French oak and the balance held in 1 to 2 year old neutral French oak barrels.

BLEND: 100% Sauvignon Blanc AGING: 15% new French oak for 7 months, 85% neutral French oak ALCOHOL 13.9%; TA 7.8 g/L; pH 3.2 CASES PRODUCED 200 SRP: $65