It’s new. Another Cabernet Sauvignon from Secret Door but this one is different. Read on. JML (Jung Min Lee – our owner) is the inspiration for all the SECRET DOOR wines. In this case, we wanted to create a 2nd label for SECRET DOOR. It needed to be a statement about our founder but also…
Shhh! We can’t tell you… First, let me tell you the background and idea behind the name. #SECRET – who doesn’t love a secret? Secrets can be complicated though, they can be exciting but they can also be dangerous. Ironically, in the wine business there are very few secrets either regarding winemaking or vineyards. We…
What is the Source of Cabernet Sauvignon? Cabernet Sauvignon originated in the Bordeaux region of France. It is generally considered to be a natural cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. Cabernet Sauvignon is a core component of most of the greatest wines from Bordeaux but is blended with other varieties like Merlot and Cabernet…
HOW TO STORE CABERNET SAUVIGNON All wines made with the intent to gain complexity from aging should be carefully stored. If a wine starts out with all the components to age gracefully for many years it is a shame to see that cut short by poor storage conditions. Let’s start at the beginning… WHY BOTHER?…
WHY EXCLUSIVELY NAPA VALLEY? Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in many places throughout California and the world, including its home in Bordeaux, France. We could have chosen to make Cabernet Sauvignon in several quality areas of California but we chose the Napa Valley. We say “exclusively” Napa Valley because we are anchored in this valley. It’s…
As we start this discussion please keep in mind that there are exceptions to every rule about grapes and grape growing in California. We will discuss generalities and specifics as they pertain to the vineyard sites that we are currently working with at SECRET DOOR. That said, let’s dive in… NAPA VALLEY FLOOR VINEYARDS Don’t…
June 15, 2018 The wines from both the Hirondelle Vineyard and from Sage Ridge Vineyard continue to sleep peacefully through the summer in the cool wine cellar. The current work is continuing to top the barrels and watch the developing chemistry carefully. All is well. The 2017’s are right on track. That’s not the only…
To say that the 2017 will be memorable is a complete understatement. It was already our first real harvest for SECRET DOOR WINERY in 2017 and so would always be remembered as such. The weekend of Labor Day the temperatures in and around the San Francisco Bay area broke records with scorchingly hot weather –…