THE LAND
“It all starts in the vineyards.” - Leslie Rudd
Great wines have a sense of place, with their uniqueness a direct result of their specific site. At Rudd Estate, we humbly acknowledge the most important factor in our wine is our terroir — the microclimate in conjunction with the unique deposits of rock, soil, and minerals left in small layers, fans, and ribbons by volcanic activity that occurred millions of years ago. Over the 20 years we have worked the land, our specific knowledge and understanding has grown along with our confidence in the site. We believe the better we know the land, the better our wine will be.
OAKVILLE ESTATE VINEYARDS
Rudd Oakville Estate is nestled in an appellation known for outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends. This 56-acre site is planted in Core Stone Volcanic soils. The 40 acres to the North has a slight downhill western exposure, allowing vines to receive the focus of the setting sun. The 8 acres located on the South side of Oakville Crossroad contain more clay and sand with an uphill slope and eastern exposure. A line of trees to the west partially filters the rays of the afternoon sun. It is on this estate that we plant Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec for our Rudd Oakville Estate Red and Samantha’s Cabernet Sauvignon.
OAKVILLE ESTATE VINEYARDS
At an elevation of 1,600 feet, the 80-acre Mt. Veeder property, of which 16 are under vine, complements the Oakville Estate. It is planted to white varietals including Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Sauvignon Gris — all in honor of Susie Rudd, Leslie’s wife and Samantha’s mother, and her love for Sauvignon Blanc. The vineyards are surrounded by fruit trees and olive groves.
Near the crest of the Mayacamas Mountains, the Rudd Mt. Veeder Estate white vineyards are planted on slopes with an east-southeast exposure. The altitude, exposure, and microclimate created by the forest ridge line are perfect attributes for progressive ripening that holds natural, fresh acidity and lower sugars — perfect for white wines.