Dry Creek Valley may well be California’s undiscovered Cabernet country. Well known for its Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley actually has more acreage of Cabernet Sauvignon planted than any other varietal. A little known fact is that the Cabernet Sauvignon grown here has contributed significantly to the blends of many well known Cabernets from the Napa and Sonoma Valleys. In addition, the unique terroir of Dry Creek Valley contributes greatly to the flavor profile of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Among the more distinctive aspects of the Dry Creek Valley appellation are:

• It's among the best growing sites for producing high quality Cabernet Sauvignon. Most notable is the climate, which is moderately warm, semi-arid and provides a long growing season on varied types of soil.

• There is a textural difference to the Cabernet Sauvignon here–the fruit is more focused and substantial without being overpowering.

• The wines are balanced and refined, Bordeaux-like in structure, body and complexity.

• The tannins are substantial, contributing to age worthiness.

• Chocolate, cherries, blackberries and dried herbs (like rosemary and lavender) are among the common flavors.

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot

Given the quality inherent in Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, we have committed to bottling all of our Bordeaux varietals with the Dry Creek Valley designation.  The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon was the first with the Dry Creek Valley appellation on the label. Along with the 2003 Dry Creek Valley Merlot, these wines represent a new era in our Bordeaux program.

Another wine near and dear to our hearts is Meritage, our Bordeaux-style blend that is the ultimate expression of the winemaker's craft.

The term Meritage, coined by the Meritage Association in 1988, comes from a combination of the words “merit” and “heritage.” “Merit” suggests that the wine is especially fine, providing top quality in the ultra-premium category. “Heritage” refers to the venerable Bordeaux tradition of blending complementary grapes to create gracefully balanced wines. We were a founding member of the association in 1988 and are recognized as one of the first to use the term on our 1985 Meritage.

Winery founder David Stare has long advocated the advantages of traditional Bordeaux-style blending and was among California’s first vintners to plant Merlot and Cabernet Franc for blending. More recently, we have added Petit Verdot and Malbec to our portfolio.  Our Meritage is an assembly of our best vineyards for each varietal, blended for both complexity and finesse.

           Endeavour Cabernet Sauvignon

Not satisfied to rest on our laurels, we are constantly looking to improve. The result of these efforts is Endeavour, the ultimate expression of Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  We combed the region for five years searching for a site that would deliver top notch Cabernet before finding the ideal, hillside parcel. The Endeavour vineyard, located in the Southeast corner of Dry Creek Valley, is perfectly suited to grow fine Cabernet. Soil composition, climate,  vineyard development and management all play a key role in producing this exclusive wine. Endeavour Cabernet is quickly becoming a wine that will define us for generations to come.