This meticulously curated private cellar showcases the pinnacle of Napa and Sonoma winemaking, with a sharp focus on cult Cabernet Sauvignon, high-scoring Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and limited-production library vintages. 

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This meticulously curated private cellar showcases the pinnacle of Napa and Sonoma winemaking

The California Collection

Ad Vivum is a boutique Napa project from Chris Phelps. Sophie Thorpe spoke to him about how twists of fate saw him go from aspiring medic to star winemaker at the likes of Dominus, Caymus – and now his own label

Divine intervention: Ad Vivum

Since 2007, Chris Phelps has been working with just 1.5 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon in Sleeping Lady Vineyard in Yountville. The resulting wine is Ad Vivum, a beautiful expression of this special site. We sat down with Phelps to taste through a mini-vertical of the project 

Tasting Ad Vivum: 2016-2018 

For Aaron Pott it ”really depends on the site and cépage. For great quality Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2016 vintage, they should be great to 2036 and, depending on the raisining and how much of it was sorted out the 2017 will drink well to 2030. 

2016 and 2017 Napa Valley vintage insights

Napa’s producers have already started releasing their 2021s – and more will be hitting the market in the coming months. The vintage is one that allowed producers to breathe – and produced some stunning wines, as Rachael Ryan – Senior Buyer at Vinfolio, our US arm – discovers

Napa 2021: rich, fresh and a relief

No one is likely to forget the 2020 vintage – least of all Californians who saw their state swept by wildfires. We caught up with some of Napa’s leading producers to talk about the rest of the growing season, the implications of the fires and the style of the wines that were produced

The California Collection

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