In the glass, a medium ruby colour, with aromas of red cherry, tomato leaf, leather and spice. The palate is extra dry, with a solid structure of tannin and acidity. Expect flavours of tart cherry, with earthy and vegetal notes.\n \n Producer Information\n Fontanella Family Winery is located among the rolling hills of the southern part of the Mt. Veeder appellation almost on the AVA dividing line between Mt. Veeder and Carneros. Their property is west of the town of Napa, located about 5 miles from Highway 29. Jeff Fontanella is the winemaker; he originally studied Biochemistry at the University of California at Davis but enrolled in the college’s wine making program after he became interested in viticulture and enology. After graduating he worked for several premium Napa Valley based wineries including his first harvest at Opus One in 1998 and later at Saddleback Cellars. Jeff is a busy guy and as of the time of this review, besides his own winery he is also the consulting winemaker for a number of other premium Napa Valley based producers. This location is very unique and one of the last relatively undeveloped vineyard properties in this part of the Napa Valley. Historically this was grazing land for cattle and was never planted to vineyards until more recently. The winery sits just down from a country road which used to connect Napa with the town of Sonoma – at the time providing a shortcut to Highway 12 which currently bisects the Carneros region to the south. Today this sleepy little road is rarely used as it dead ends at private property and there is no way to access the town of Sonoma. Several wineries are located fairly close as the crow flies; Artesa and Ru Vango are both located on the other side of the hills that border the Fontanella property. While the winery is located in rural Napa Valley, in reality this property is only about a 15-minute drive from downtown Napa. Fontanella Family Winery is located at an elevation of about 750 feet and is somewhat sheltered from the cooling San Pablo Bay breezes that blow across the Carneros District slightly south of the winery. The rolling hills that surround the winery are the southernmost extension of the Mayacamas mountains (that form the north south spine of the west side of the Napa Valley) before ending in the lowlands of the Carneros District.
