Deep purple hues in the glass give rise to generous aromas of blackcurrant, spiced black tea and plums. Flavors run from intense cassis into dark late season cherries, with a core of ripe plums and espresso. Hints of tobacco, crushed earth and dried herbs emerge on the finish.\n \n Producer Information\n Swanson Vineyards is a premium winery but is typically under the radar of most first time visitors to the valley. Swanson was founded in 1985 by Clarke Swanson (born in Omaha) and his wife Elizabeth (born in New Orleans) although their first vintage wasn’t until 1987, a Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and perhaps in setting the trend for their dessert wine program, a late harvest Sémillon. If the Swanson name sounds familiar, that is because it is an ingrained part of the American culture; Swanson frozen meals (the TV dinners) were popularized starting in the early 1950s – the company’s roots actually date back to 1899 in Omaha. Clarke’s grandfather Carl and his father were instrumental in building the Swanson frozen food business before it was eventually acquired by Campbell Soup Company. Today Pinnacle Foods owns the Swanson TV Dinner business and Campbell’s owns the broth line of products. Still a formidable name in Omaha, the name Swanson honors a library, condominium, an elementary school and a hall at a private university, among other locations. One would not be incorrect in calling Clarke a serial entrepreneur. Slightly prior to founding Swanson Vineyards, Clarke was involved in a partnership with the British wine merchant John Avery in a venture called Averys of Bristol. Avery’s imported wines from select international markets for the British market. And he was also involved in several Florida based businesses including owning South Florida Cable TV in many areas north of Naples, including North Naples, Bonita Springs, Ft Myers Beach, Estero and N. Ft Myers and the Naples Star newspaper – and at one point was majority owner and CEO of Napa National Bancorp which eventually was acquired by Wells Fargo Bank. South Florida Cable TV was one of the first cable operators in the area to offer HBO. During Clarke’s studies at Stanford, he was introduced to Napa Valley during weekend trips (he also has MS degree in Journalism from Columbia University). And later he would visit Northern California during business trips and would take side trips to Napa Valley. There is a reason that Swanson focused on Merlot despite being located in Rutherford (an appellation known for premium Cabernet Sauvignon). Iconic winemaker and viticulturist André Tchelistcheff made this recommendation early on.
