Winery Description: Philip Togni Vineyard is a family-owned winery located 2000 feet above sea level in the Spring Mountain District just above St. Helena in Napa Valley. The first vines were planted in 1981 and included both Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. The 25-acre parcel was re-planted in the 1990’s on phylloxera-resistant rootstock and with a focus on red grapes. Togni models their blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot after Bordeaux’s Margaux AOC. Consequently, the are age-worthy, classic in nature and have a distinctly Old World personality.

Philip Togni, a man of Italian heritage with an English accent, earned his degree in enology under the legendary Emile Peynaud at the University of Bordeaux. He went on to work at Chateau Lascombes. Togni recently retired from active winemaking, deciding to slow down a bit at age 96. His career in Napa Valley includes some of the region’s best. Among his winemaking roles were Mayacamas Vineyards in 1958, Chappellet Vineyard from 1968 through 1972, and Cuvaison from 1975 to 1981.

Togni wines have been celebrated almost from the beginning. At a 1990 Brussels judging, their 1990 Cabernet was ranked above eleven other 1990 Bordeaux and California Cabernets by a professional panel and was thought by many to be a French wine. Philip’s daughter, Lisa, long co-owner and assistant winemaker is now fully in charge of the winemaking. Clearly, quality has not suffered. Antonio Galloni awarded the 2013 vintage of Philip Togni Cabernet Estate Sauvignon 100 points.

First released in 1983, this is a wine made from estate grown fruit and bottled on the property.