It’s difficult to be recommending yet another vineyard, brought into focus not because I just enjoyed a glass of their wine recently at a restaurant, but because I had featured them prominently at my prior restaurant, and was reminded of their talent upon learning that they were one of the many victims of the most recent fires in California. The Glass Fire has damaged over a dozen vineyards in one of the most prestigious wine regions in the world. In an already tough season, beginning with a drought and continuing through a pandemic, the final straw were the fires that broke out on September 27th, tearing through land where many grapes had yet to even be harvested.  

Hourglass Vineyards sustained structural damage, but their winery was luckily, largely unharmed. A small, family owned property, Hourglass was named in reference to the pinched, figure-8 shaped geography connecting the land from Maycamas Mountains to the Valley floor. Ned Smith, a realtor, selling land to many of the prominent families still dominating the Napa Valley, knew this piece of land had something special and kept it back for himself, but lacked the viticulture prowess that was necessary for a thriving business. After succumbing to cancer, his son Jeff, took over the land, instead of continuing his earlier calling in the music industry. He consulted with the best, and asked a fellow musician and pioneer in winemaking, Bob Foley, to collaborate on their first vintage. After his father’s death, the vineyard was ravaged by phylloxera, but this gave him the opportunity to replant thoughtfully with Cabernet Sauvignon.

Jeff and Bob continued to collaborate and make beautiful small production wines, but gained notoriety when it was included in a “cult-wine” tasting along side Screaming Eagle, Harlan, and other big names. Hourglass held their own, and the rest is history. 

The 2016 Hourglass Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is an opus to the original vision, featuring the 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grown on the vines replanted by Jeff Smith and highlighting the terroir. Big fruit notes of blackberry, plum and bramble are complimented by tobacco, dark chocolate and menthol. The smooth, supple tannins are balanced by a surprising acidity. This wine can be enjoyed now or aged for up to ten years. 

Recommended Pairing Notes:  A Juicy, Grilled burger or Portobello Mushroom with sautéed onions and peppers.

Or, try this making Lamb Dumpling recipe from their website: https://www.hourglasswines.com/CookingMasterclass/LambDumplings