California Love: Napa Classics, Cults, and Legends

Among the new arrivals we have recently added is a tremendous assortment of must-have California wines. Whether your taste leans toward classic or cult or both, we’ve got you covered. Of particular note are the ranges of legendary Philip Togni and Kongsgaard, plus a lineup of Bryant, Harlan, Schrader, Shafer Hillside and more – all in stock and ready to ship or transfer to your storage, and given the range of aged, ready-to-drink vintages, perfect for right now!

Philip Togni’s cabernets have been quietly setting the standard not just for Spring Mountain but for all of Napa since the seventies, and before settling on his own property, he was winemaker for a number of Napa’s most historic producers. Daughter Lisa Togni has been at the helm for almost two decades, and her careful stewardship and protection of her father’s legacy has been crucial in maintaining the integrity of this incredibly historic Napa benchmark producer. The wines are classically cool-climate Spring Mountain, restrained, elegant but concentrated. If you haven’t had the opportunity to taste these, I strongly recommend stocking up as production is still small, and back vintages are hard to find.

Fellow legend John Kongsgaard’s Napa roots run deep. Before founding his namesake label in 1996, he played a key role in shaping some of the region’s most illustrious wineries. His influence continues today, most notably with the MacDonald brothers and their highly acclaimed cabernet—a wine so coveted that whenever we secure even a small allocation, it disappears instantly.

We’ve got an enticing range of Lokoya – visiting these stunningly beautiful high-elevation sites a number of years ago on a bluebird May morning is still one of my most treasured Napa memories. And speaking of iconic Napa vineyards, it doesn’t get more storied than Eisele – and while it’s no longer a mom-and-pop operation, we are pleased with how the current owners have thoughtfully maintained the site’s legendary status.