2016 Alta Winery 'Quatreaux' Napa Valley, California Red

First is viticulture, the art and science of growing grapes. Second is enology, the science and art of making wine. At Alta Winery, the goal is to create natural, elegant and balanced wines, based on the belief that winemaking begins in the vineyard with soil, climate and people.

In crafting its iconic “Quatreaux” cuvee, Alta utilizes Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from its Alta Vineyard near the top of Atlas Peak. The Atlas Peak AVA is nestled high on the eastern side of Napa Valley in the Vaca Mountains. The Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes come from Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyards, adjacent to the Phelps and Cakebread vineyards on hillsides with rocky soils.

And the Petit Verdot hails from Sage Creek Vineyards in lower Chiles Valley in the eastern part of Napa County — a bucolic vineyard that enjoys generous sunshine and little rain. The 2016 “Quatreaux” seamlessly melds science and art with a delectable result.