Oak Knoll District
Patrick Mc Evoy visited Napa Valley for the first time in 2002 and tells Robb Report 672 Wine Club that he was “enthralled by the valley’s beauty and captivated by its wineries.” He attended Silver Oak Winery’s 30th anniversary celebration that same year and met people planning a Chiles Valley winery project, mentored by iconic winemaker and “King of Zinfandel” Kent Rosenblum. Through the opportunity to participate in that experience, he learned from winery professionals, cellar hands, and mentors, and then studied enology and viticulture at Napa Valley College which he credits as “invaluable” in building his skills. Through that same endeavor, he met Mike Bolen with whom he co-founded Bolen Family Estates in 2006, and fast forwarding a few years, the business that later became Forthright Winery in 2016 when Bolen left to focus on his family and grandchildren.
Mc Evoy is a founding partner, winemaker, and manager of the partnership. Forthright is deliberately small and hands-on, so he wears many hats. He leads the winemaking and production, works on sales and marketing, handles legal and compliance filings, and, when available, he hosts private, appointment-only cave tastings for guests. Forthright has five partners: two in Napa, one in Chicago, another in Cleaveland, and one in London. They meet weekly by video but there are no other employees or staff members. Mc Evoy tells 672 Wine Club that the team “operates on the premise to make serious, small-lot Napa wine, be direct about where it comes from, and make the experience human and relatable.” He states, “The winery’s small scale is intentional; it keeps decisions close to the fruit and the guest experience close to the person who made the wine. I entered the profession to immerse myself in every aspect of winemaking, not to hire someone to produce wines on my behalf. We make wines that are in tune with our stylistic vision.”
Although Forthright does not own an estate vineyard, Mc Evoy source grapes from well-known growers throughout the valley. For example, grapes for the wine sent to Robb Report 672 Wine Club members recently came from a 64-acre Merlot vineyard on Orchard Avenue in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. The block was planted in 1995 and was 24 years old at the 2019 harvest.
In addition to Merlot, Forthright’s portfolio includes Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Visitors are requested to make an appointment for a private tasting.
