History:
THE GENTLENESS OF GRAVITY
FOUNDED IN 1881 BY HENRY HAGEN Cedar Knoll Vineyards was built on a remote piece of land located at the Southern-most end of Napa Valley. His dedication to the land and its treasured crop - grapes - allowed him to become a true pioneer of the region. Bringing his noteworthy wines and brandy to San Francisco’s high society earned him notoriety and a silver medal at L’Exposition Universelle de Paris 1889 World’s Fair.
Shortly after this triumph, Hagen’s descendants inherited the land after his untimely passing. Sadly, they do not share his passion for wine; and with the arrival of Prohibition, the property is neglected and falls into disrepair. Hagen’s winemaking legacy tucked away, forgotten for many decades.
In 1997, Julio and Amalia Palmaz stumble across Hagen’s historic property. They determine its proximity to San Pablo Bay and its rich and diverse soils would make the ideal place to realize their dream of making first class wines; unaware they would also revive one of the first and most historic winemaking properties of Napa Valley.
Paying homage to Hagen’s legacy and successes, the Palmaz family revived his label using artifacts found hidden in the historic Hagen Estate; one item in particular being a barrel brand with the original Cedar Knoll Vineyards logo.
The grapes for our Cedar Knoll Cabernet Sauvignon and Palmaz Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon are grown on property and processed in the 22-story underground facility that utilizes a gravity-fed and gravity-finished winemaking philosophy. With a love for the land and a knowledge of the grape, we make a wine that honors both.
The Fusion of Tradition and Technology
Palmaz Vineyards’ winemaking takes place in a series of four caves oriented vertically to enable winemaking in the most gentle method possible. The height of the wine cave is equivalent to a 22-story building, providing the vertical range needed for true gravity-finished winemaking. This unique vertical setup allows the grapes, must, and wine to be gently moved without the violent agitation of pumping, which can change the wine’s expression and texture. This gentle treatment allows the finest nuances of flavor and mouthfeel to develop naturally — the result is a powerful and concentrated yet elegant wine with a cashmere-like texture.
CEDAR KNOLL NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Cedar Knoll Wine for
our Trade Clients
Our Cedar Knoll Cabernet Sauvignon is available for select on- and off- premise accounts. The wines for this blend are curated specifically to showcase the property’s diversity from 24 micro-climates all nestled within the 600 acres of Palmaz’ land. Distinctly smooth and elegant, the wine boasts restrained deep, dark fruit notes that develop over an eternal finish. For availability, please contact us and we can connect you to your Estate Sales Manager.
Cedar Knoll Cabernet Sauvignon
Palmaz’s Cedar Knoll Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic Bordeaux-style blend that displays layers of elegance and depth. Crafted using our gravity-flow winemaking approach, the wine offers a distinct cashmere-like texture with beautifully integrated tannins. The finish is long and elegant, supported by bright acidity and a seamless structure.
