Arkenstone is a family-owned Howell Mountain estate winery that specializes in crafting Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah from its meticulously farmed vineyard overlooking Napa Valley. Owners Susan and Ron Krausz purchased the Howell Mountain property that would become Arkenstone in 1988, while in their early 30s. They spent the ensuing decades, with great thought and care, planning what is now the 42-acre Arkenstone Estate Winery. Overlooking St Helena, high upon the western ridge of Howell Mountain, the Arkenstone Estate rises from 1400 ft. to over 1650 ft. of elevation. With amazing, sweeping views looking over the Napa Valley to the South, Spring Mountain to the West, the wild, forested Bell Canyon to the North, and Mount St Helena beyond, Arkenstone is a panoramic perch. With the completion of the 12-acres of Estate vineyards, underground winery caves and tasting salon looking out over the vineyards, the Krausz family released their first vintage (2006) in 2008.

AVA: In 1983, the Howell Mountain Appellation was officially designated as an AVA, making it the first Sub-AVA within the greater Napa Valley. The AVA is situated above the fog in the peak growing season during the summer months. As the fog hunkers down on the Valley floor, the Howell Mountain AVA basks in the sunshine seeing more hours of photosynthesis during the daylight hours. This, along with the altitude and a dry, temperate climate, this AVA has, what many call, perfect growing days.

The 12-acre Estate vineyard is planted primarily to traditional Bordeaux varietals, split into 22 separate blocks. Rootstocks, clones, and varietals were carefully selected to match the widely varied sols, slopes and exposures found on the Arkenstone Estate. The vines are planted on slopes that range from a 2% incline to a 50% grade in its steepest areas. The vineyards diversity was designed to match the breadth of conditions found on the property, and whose fruit provides a broad palate of complex flavors from which balance and nuanced wines are crafted.

The Arkenstone Estate vineyard is organically farmed in-house by its long tenured, full-time crew. With a commitment to quality as well as to sustaining the property’s precious resources, the team takes advantage of carefully chosen new techniques/technology that become available. From pruning to leaf thinning, to pre-dawn harvests, working with the Estate’s own vineyard team makes this meticulous farming possible.