Paul Hobbs - Beckstoffer To Kalon - Cabernet Sauvignon

Dubbed the ‘Steve Jobs of wine’ by Forbes magazine, Paul Hobbs is a renowned winemaker and consultant. Highly regarded not only for his ability to identify exceptional vineyards, but also for his pioneering spirit in working innovatively with new and historical sites and regions.

Hired by Robert Mondavi for his advanced understanding of oak ageing, he went on to become winemaker for Opus One and Simi wineries. He founded Paul Hobbs Winery in 1991 and Viña Cobos in Argentina in 1999.

“Terroir-driven Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon are the focus at Paul Hobbs Winery.” Paul Hobbs

Paul Hobbs Winery bought its first estate property in the Russian River Valley naming it Lindsay Vineyard in honour of Paul’s great grandmother and planted it with five clones of Pinot Noir. Two neighbouring estate properties have since been planted with Chardonnay. The winery also works closely with growers of some of Napa and Sonoma’s most compelling and historical properties.

“I strive to create exuberant, intensely flavoured, richly textured wines of structure and balance that reflect the specific personality of each vineyard site. You might describe our winemaking as modern classic. Making wine, like living well, is a balance of experience and intuition, discipline and discovery. We believe we can make the best wines by keeping our roots firmly planted in traditional winemaking principles while availing ourselves of modern techniques. This approach allows us to constantly improve the quality of our wines.” Paul Hobbs

While many North American states make wine, California (along with Washington State and Oregon) drives the fine wine industry. In 2005 it accounted for 200,000 hectares of vinous vines. Napa Valley is acknowledged to be the world's second-best source of Cabernet Sauvignon/Bordeaux blends and Chardonnays, while Santa Barbara and Sonoma Counties are home to world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Napa Valley is a world-renowned wine region located in California, USA. The region has a rich history of winemaking dating back to the mid-19th century when European immigrants first settled in the area. Today, Napa Valley is home to over 400 wineries, producing some of the finest wines in the world.

The style of production in Napa Valley is heavily influenced by the region's Mediterranean climate, which is characterized by warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The region is known for its diverse range of soils, which vary from volcanic to alluvial, and provide ideal growing conditions for a variety of grape varietals.

The most commonly grown grape varietals in Napa Valley include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Zinfandel. These grapes are carefully tended to by skilled winemakers who use traditional techniques to produce wines that are rich, complex, and full-bodied.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the most widely planted grape varietal in Napa Valley, and is known for producing some of the world's finest red wines. These wines are typically full-bodied, with rich, dark fruit flavors and a long, smooth finish. Chardonnay is another popular grape varietal in Napa Valley, and is known for producing rich, buttery wines with notes of vanilla and oak.

Merlot is also widely grown in Napa Valley, and is known for producing soft, velvety wines with flavors of black cherry and plum. Pinot Noir is a more delicate grape varietal, and is known for producing light-bodied wines with flavors of raspberry and strawberry. Sauvignon Blanc is a popular white grape varietal in Napa Valley, and is known for producing crisp, refreshing wines with notes of citrus and tropical fruit. Zinfandel is another popular grape varietal in Napa Valley, and is known for producing bold, spicy wines with flavors of blackberry and pepper.

Overall, Napa Valley is a world-class wine region that produces some of the finest wines in the world. With its rich history, diverse range of soils, and ideal growing conditions, it is no wonder that Napa Valley wines are highly sought after by wine enthusiasts around the globe.