ADAPTATION, Napa Valley
Adaptation has been a family member of the PlumpJack Group of wineries (which includes PlumpJack Estate, Cade Estate and Odette) for over a decade. Re-established in 2018, it quite literally takes its direction from the dictionary definitions.
- (noun) a composition rewritten into a new form
- (noun) an adjustment to environmental conditions
Adaptation depicts the diversity and range of terroirs within the Napa Valley. Winemaker Jeff Owens (who also makes the wines for Odette) puts together a complex, yet approachable wine that hails from some of the most renowned and historic vineyards in the valley. 8 vineyard sites, stretching from the mountainous terrain of Howell Mountain to the valley floor of Oak Knoll, Stags Leap and Carneros, are the inspiration for the wine. Decades long friendships with these farms in some of the best sites in the Napa Valley allow Jeff and his team to create a wine that reflects the best of the region. Fittingly, it seems, the wine production takes place at both Odette in Stags Leap and Cade 13th Vineyard winery on Howell Mountain.
The vineyard sites are harvested separately, with fermentations taking place in small, fully jacketed stainless-steel fermenters which showcase the purity of the fruit while preserving the freshness and allowing each of the individual terroirs to shine. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel and is finished in late winter. The wine is subsequently blended and aged for 18 months with minimal racking in French oak barrels, 50% being new and 50% one-fill. The resulting wine is one of opaque purple colour, aromas of wild blackberries, cherries, and plums with an elegant and gorgeous silky texture.
Vineyard Sites
Oso Vineyard is currently owned by the Mondavi family. It is a 95-acre site perched between the Ink Grade and Howell Mountain peaks. The fruit is exposed to gusty mountain winds that keep the grapes cool during the summer months allowing for great structure, balance, and elegance.
Ink Grade Vineyard perched high on Howell Mountain is owned by the Lawrence family. The vineyard stretches across 200 acres. It is certified organic with iron rich clay and volcanic ash soil that lacks nutrients and has a hard time retaining moisture. This leads to vines that produce small, high-quality berries.
Langtry Vineyard is in the Guenoc Valley AVA in the far north-east of Napa Valley. Owned by the Foley family, it dates back to the 1880s and was once the home of beloved actress Lillie Langtry, hence its name.
Trailside Vineyard, also owned by the Lawrence family is in Rutherford AVA on the east side of this appellation. It is farmed sustainably and certified organic by CCOF.
Chaix Vineyard, owned by the Chaix family, is also in Rutherford AVA. The family ownership dates back to 1909 when it was purchased by brothers Adrienne and Jean Chaix. They immigrated to Napa in the 1880’s and founded Brun & Chaix winery at Nouveau Medoc vineyard which is now known as Cade 13th Vineyard.
Odette Vineyard is in Stags Leap AVA and is owned by the PlumpJack Collection of wineries. (See profile on Odette).
Blue Tooth Vineyard is in Oak Knoll AVA and owned by the Gittings family who purchased the property in 1945. Their cabernet sauvignon and merlot produce ripe fruit with full flavour at a lower alcohol level.
Las Amigas Vineyard located in Carneros AVA. Owned by renowned viticulturist Andy Beckstoffer the vineyard is known for its cooler climate and produces savoury merlot grapes. Originally purchased in 1993, the vineyard is now 410 acres in size.