ODETTE WINERY, Stags Leap District, Napa
In the fall of 2012, with the success of their other properties, PlumpJack and Cade, partners Gavin Newson, Gordon Getty, and John Conover were open to the idea of a third winery. A historic property in the Stags Leap District presented itself and became Odette Estate Winery. The 45-acre estate, originally owned by the Steltzner family, is tucked into the dramatic palisades of the Stags Leap District, just east of the Silverado Trail. The property would quickly see several renovations. The caves were updated and retrofitted, the vineyards replanted and converted to 100% organic farming, and in 2017 a brand-new LEED Gold certification winery was opened, designed by the same architect who conceptualized the Cade winery. Not only did the winery achieve LEED Gold certification in 2017, but the vineyards became California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). The winery is one of a handful that features a living green roof planted to grasses and plants. Additionally, the roof contains 2,500 square feet of solar panels and the winemaking laboratory is constructed from recycled shipping containers.
People often assume the Stags Leap District is a mountain appellation, but in fact, it’s almost a valley within the valley, capped at 400 feet elevation. The rolling hills fall between the Napa River and the Vaca Mountains, in a narrow band only 3 miles (5km) long. Coarse, eroded soils and marine influence from San Pablo Bay contribute to the character of the wines – noted for ‘textural hedonism’.
Winemaker, Jeff Owens, is a long-time member of the PlumpJack family. A 2005 graduate of Cal Poly: San Luis Obispo, Jeff started his career with a harvest internship at highly respected Napa Valley winery, Cakebread Cellars. In 2006, after much research, he applied for a position at PlumpJack and was initially hired as a cellar worker. Promoted to Enologist in 2007 followed by assistant winemaker in 2008, and in 2010 he joined the team at Cade as assistant winemaker. After 2 harvests on Howell Mountain, Jeff was named Head Winemaker for the new property, Odette. Having been part of the team during Cade’s inception, Jeff’s unique knowledge was instrumental in the success of setting up another new winery and to lead the team at Odette. The 2012 vintage turned out to be a blockbuster debut for Jeff and his team with the inaugural release from the winery earning a perfect 100 points by The Wine Advocate in 2015.
Odette is a fabled princess, a mistress and a judge. These three characters are meant to symbolise the wine produced on the estate, embodying the femininity, strength, and power of the three ladies. You will find these hidden throughout the estate and across the label of Odette Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.
