Napa Valley
Fred Schweiger purchased the land that would eventually become Schweiger Vineyards in 1961 for a mere $250 per acre. Although it was completely forested, Fred found old redwood grape stakes planted in a one meter by one meter pattern indicating that someone had been growing grapes on the property before Prohibition. He then decided to take viticulture classes and planted grapes in the late 1970s, but it wasn’t until 1984 that he had his first harvest. In the meantime, his son Andrew began working at ZD winery in 1986 and subsequently studied at University of California at Davis. Andy graduated in 1993 with a degree in fermentation science, microbiology, and viticulture. The family made their first wine in 1994 with grapes that went unsold to other wineries and in 1999 they unanimously made the wise decision to keep all of the grapes they grew to make the family’s eponymous wines.
Schweiger Vineyards is located in the Spring Mountain District AVA and because of their altitude and microclimate they do not get a thick layer of fog in the morning as many valley floor vineyards do. This allows the grapes get more sunlight and ripen fully, which contributing to the complexity of flavors in their wines. The four types of volcanic soils found on the property also impart a distinctive minerality. Additionally, the vines are dry farmed, which allows the roots to grow over 20 feet deep in order to access the water table.
In 2009 Schweiger produced their very first varietal bottlings of Cabernet Franc and Malbec and in 2016 Andy was inspired by a trip to Portugal and produced his first port-style wine made from Chardonnay grapes. It was named Napuro, a mashup of Napa and Douro.
Besides Schweiger Vineyards 2019 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon recently sent to club members, Schweiger Vineyards makes Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rosé of Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Gate Block Cabernet Sauvignon, Montaire Cabernet Sauvignon, a left bank Bordeaux style blend, a right bank Bordeaux style blend, Napuro, and Iteration, a red port style dessert wine.
Club members are always welcome to visit the property but are asked to make a reservation first.
