Vineyard Blocks
There are 66 acres of vineyard at Oakville Ranch, occupying roughly a fifth of the mountainside estate. The vineyard is divided into seven main blocks based on geography, geology and, as a result, varietal selection. The six main blocks are then divided into smaller portions for the purposes of irrigation and clonal diversity. These seven blocks are the Terraces, Plateau, Vista, Bobcat, Summit, Robert’s and Deep V.
Seven grape varietals are grown at Oakville Ranch, Cabernet Sauvignon makes up 70% of the vineyard,Cabernet Franc over 10%, with the remainder planted to Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Petit Verdot and Petite Sirah.
Terrace
The Terrace block is 6 steep acres of Cabernet Sauvignon rising 400 vertical feet from the ranch house and original winemaking facility to the beginning of the Plateau block. The Terrace block was planted in 2005.
Vista
The Ranch’s largest block, Vista spans a 25-acre sloping, rocky, depression across the heart of the estate. The Vista block is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with about 5 acres of Cabernet Franc and a half an acre of Petit Verdot. Vista was planted in 2009, 2011 and 2014.
Summit
The 11-acre Summit block climbs the estate’s western ridge to an elevation of 1,400 ft, the highest point on the property. The Summit’s 9 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and 2 acres of Cabernet Franc look west over the Oakville District and Napa Valley.
Plateau
Plateau's 9 acres, replanted in 2013 with vines, are comprised of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Bobcat
Planted in 2009, the Bobcat vineyard is a narrow 1.2-acre block of Chardonnay tucked into a rocky, dry creek bed between Vista and Summit. One of the coolest places on the property and named for the wild cats sometimes spotted there, the Bobcat block produces an enchanting mountain grown Chardonnay.
Robert's
Robert’s block is 9 acres that includes the estate’s oldest vines: Zinfandel vines cherished by Robert Miner, as well as Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The inclined block reaches the estate’s furthest south and east points. The critically acclaimed Robert’s Cabernet Franc and the grapes for the Field Blend are grown here.
Deep V
The aptly named Deep V is a steep narrow dell, reaching northeast of the Vista block. The cool, shady valley will soon be home to plantings of new varietals for Oakville Ranch Vineyards.