Mt Veeder, Napa Valley
Rudd Estate was founded by Leslie Rudd in 1996, but Leslie was already a legend in the world of wine well before the 1990s. He began working at his family’s Standard Beverage Company in 1965, became the president in 1974, and grew the business to eventually become the largest beverage distributor in the state of Kansas. His daughter Samantha took over Rudd Estate after his passing in 2018 and currently works with winemaker Natalie Bath and Oscar Henquet, the managing director of the estate.
Rudd Oakville Estate comprises 55 acres of red core volcanic and alluvial stone soils, 47 of which are planted with vines. The impressive roster of vineyard neighbors includes Bond, Joseph Phelps, Dalla Valle, and Screaming Eagle. The Rudd Mt. Veeder Estate has 80 acres with only 16 of those under vine and sits and an elevation of 1,600 feet. Their vineyard there is bordered by Lokoya, VGS, Chateau Potelle, and Mt. Brave.
Winemaker Natalie Bath feels that “the excitement of making wine lies in the reality that we do not have all the answers, and each day we get the opportunity to adapt and learn about our unique site.” The team farms the land organically and biodynamically for two reasons, to ensure the health of the land for the next generation and to obtain the best possible expression of the terroir.
The first vintage of Crossroads Mountain Blend is the 2021 which was included in the recent Napa Valley 672 Wine shipment. Natalie recalls that the 2021 growing season was a gift from Mother Nature with near perfect growing conditions. She tells 672, “The Mt. Veeder appellation is the largest in Napa Valley, yet it has the lowest percentage of planted acreage compared to all other sub-appellations. Having the opportunity to craft a wine to showcase this stunning mountain site, focusing on the nuances of the fruit profile and tannin structure, is a unique opportunity.”
A visit to Rudd Estate starts in the vineyards and progresses to the state-of-the-art winery and barrel room. Guests are then invited to a secluded part of the estate for an outdoor tasting in either the boathouse, terrace overlooking the vineyard, or in the garden. Visitors are requested to make an appointment online.
