The Somerston estate Vineyard
Somerston Estate, the exclusive source of fruit for Priest Ranch, is located high in the eastern hills of Napa Valley in a place called Elder Valley. This remote, untamed viticultural frontier is eight miles due east of Rutherford midway between Lake Hennessy and Lake Berryessa.
The 190+ acres of vines at Somerston Estate are planted between 900 and 2,400 feet above sea level. The elevation helps to moderate temperatures producing a climate that is warmer than Mt. Veeder and Howell Mountain, but cooler than Oakville and St. Helena. The relatively large diurnal temperature swing helps balance phenolic ripeness and sugar accumulation creating wines that are both concentrated and elegant.
The diverse terrain features a wide range of valley, hillside and mounting sites. Each block is based on the interplay between soil, pitch, sun exposure and air flow. Of the 87 blocks on the vineyard, Priest Ranch harvests fruit primarily from seven specific blocks planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah.
For more than 30 years, the fruit from Somerston Estate has been purchased by some of the valley’s most renowned winemakers including David Ramey and Heidi Barrett, plus a handful of respected wineries including Duckhorn, Caymus, Orin Swift and Viader.