Diamond Creek

Al Brounstein bought Diamond Creek, which is situated high in the hills above Calistoga in the Napa Valley, in 1968. It was only after he had cleared the land that he realised that there were 4 very different plots, each distinct in terms of soil content, aspect and elevation. He subsequently named the vineyards, Volcanic Hill, Red Rock Terrace, Gravelly Meadow and Lake Vineyard - the first single vineyard wines were produced in 1972.

All the wines are vinified and matured identically - namely, fermentation in open wood casks followed by maturation for 18-20 months in French barriques (50% new). They are all made for long-term bottle ageing with Red Rock being the most approachable in youth while Gravelly Meadow is the most long-lived of the four.