Vineyards

A close-up of a green grapevine leaf with sunlight highlighting its texture and veins, set against a clear blue sky. Another blurred leaf is visible to the left.

ESTATE VINEYARD

Perched high on the western shoulder of the Howell Mountain AVA, the Arkenstone Estate is a rugged and remarkable site defined by rocky soils, forested slopes, and a climate shaped by elevation. The property was originally purchased in 1988, and careful development of the estate began in the early 1990s, culminating in the vineyard being fully planted in 1998.

Red varieties are planted primarily in Aiken series loam—well-drained, iron-rich soils that produce wines of structure and depth—while our white varieties grow in compressed volcanic ash, known as tuff, lending distinctive minerality and brightness. These demanding conditions naturally limit yields, producing small berries of exceptional concentration and character. Farmed organically and tended by our dedicated year-round team, the estate vineyards form the foundation of Arkenstone—wines that reflect the power, elegance, and unmistakable identity of Howell Mountain.

Rows of grapevines grow on a sunlit hillside vineyard, with tall trees and dense greenery in the background under a clear blue sky. Shadows from the vines stretch across the dry ground.

Single
Vineyards

Heimark Family Vineyard

Heimark Family Vineyard is a highly regarded hillside Cabernet Sauvignon site located in Dutch Henry Canyon, on the eastern side of Napa Valley near Calistoga. Owned by Craig and Libby Heimark, the vineyard was first planted in 1997 and sits on a rugged, southwest-facing slope formed by an ancient landslide, with extremely rocky volcanic soils that force the vines to struggle and develop deep roots.

Perched at roughly 1,100 feet in elevation, the site is surrounded by forest and experiences misty mornings and warm, sunlit afternoons that create a distinct microclimate ideal for growing Cabernet Sauvignon. The challenging terrain—volcanic rock, fractured soils, and steep slopes—produces small yields of intensely flavored fruit known for dark berry character, herbal complexity, and structured tannins that age beautifully.

Rows of grapevines grow on a sunny hillside vineyard, surrounded by green trees and forested mountains under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Amoenus Vineyard

Amoenus Vineyard is a small, hillside Cabernet Sauvignon site located in the northwestern hills of Calistoga in Napa Valley. Tucked into rugged terrain near the Black Mountain Gap, the vineyard benefits from a slightly cooler microclimate than many neighboring sites, allowing grapes to ripen gradually while preserving freshness and structure. This balance of warmth and cooling influences produces Cabernet Sauvignon with depth, aromatic lift, and notable precision.

The site is carefully farmed by grower and winemaker Peter Heitz, whose family has long roots in Napa Valley viticulture. The vineyard’s steep slopes and well-drained soils naturally limit vigor, producing small berries with concentrated flavors and firm tannic structure—qualities that lend themselves to age-worthy mountain Cabernet.

Rows of green grapevines stretch across a vineyard under a cloudy, foggy sky. A dirt path runs through the center, flanked by trees and surrounded by rolling hills in the background.

Godward Vineyard

In 1970, Bill Godward discovered a tranquil ten-acre parcel set on a gentle downslope along the famed Rutherford Bench. Drawn to the site’s quiet beauty and exceptional soils, he held the land for decades before replanting it in 2002 to Cabernet Sauvignon with the guidance of fourth-generation winegrower Gary Morisoli.

Situated on classic benchland, the vineyard produces Cabernet that reflects the warmth and generosity of Rutherford while maintaining structure and balance. The resulting wines are fruit-forward and expressive, making Godward Vineyard a natural and compelling addition to the Arkenstone Collection.

Farming

As with all of our non-estate vineyard sources, winemaker Sam Kaplan personally oversees the farming of Arkenstone’s rows within the vineyard. This close collaboration allows for careful attention throughout the growing season and ensures the fruit meets the standards required for our wines. Our philosophy has always been to shape the wine in the vineyard first—allowing each site and vintage to speak clearly in the glass.

Rows of grapevines with green leaves stretch into the distance under a clear blue sky, surrounded by lush trees on a sunny day.

Coliseum Block

Originally planted by Henry Hossfeld in the early 1980s and perched on the Eastern edge of Soda Canyon, the Coliseum Block is a small but remarkable vineyard site known for producing Cabernet Sauvignon of both power and precision. The vineyard takes its name from the natural amphitheater shape of the surrounding hills, which cradle the vines and create a unique microclimate that balances warm afternoon sun with cooling evening air. This natural protection allows the fruit to ripen slowly and evenly, preserving both concentration and freshness.

The soils here are classic for the Eastern Mountains of Napa Valley—rocky, well-drained loams mixed with fractured volcanic material that naturally limit vigor and yield small, intensely flavored berries. These conditions produce Cabernet Sauvignon with deep color, structured tannins, and layered aromatics that often lean toward dark cherry, cassis, and subtle savory notes.

Tragically, the original plantings of the Coliseum Block were lost in the 2017 Napa Valley wildfires. As a result, the 2016 vintage stands as the final Arkenstone Cabernet Sauvignon produced from this historic vineyard. While the site itself remains special, the wine now serves as a lasting snapshot of the vineyard in its original form.

Rows of grapevines run along rolling, golden hills with sparse green trees, set against a backdrop of mountains under a partly cloudy blue sky.

The highly anticipated release of the 2023 vintage

The 2023 vintage in Napa Valley stands as one of the most compelling and age-worthy in recent memory—a truly exceptional year that may only come along once every couple of decades. Defined by a long, cool growing season, the vintage unfolded at a deliberate pace, allowing the vines to develop slowly and evenly over time. This extended hangtime produced fruit of remarkable complexity, with layers of flavor, vibrant natural acidity, and finely structured tannins.

The resulting wines show incredible depth and precision, balancing power with restraint in a way that speaks to both site and season. While already expressive, these are wines built for the cellar—structured, tightly wound, and destined to evolve beautifully over many years. Patience will be essential, as the full character of the 2023 vintage will only reveal itself with time in bottle.

Release schedule:

Spring - Estate Blanc, Heimark Vineyard Cabernet
Summer - Godward Vineyard Cabernet
Fall - Estate Red, Estate Syrah, Amoenus Vineyard Cabernet, NVD Cabernet

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