Product Overview
Winery's Notes
"Founded by Tom Burgess in 1972 after the purchase of the original Souverain Winery on the hillside of Howell Mountain, the winery has been continuously owned and operated by the Burgess family until the acquisition by the Lawrence Family in 2020.
The historic site drew some of Napa Valley’s leading winemakers to Souverain, including Mike Grgich–of Grgich Hills Estate–and Warren Winiarski, who went on to triumph in the Judgement of Paris with Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. The winery has a long-standing reputation for producing top Cabernet Sauvignon wines from its 11-hectare vineyard (27 acres) on Howell Mountain, which includes 30-year-old vines.
The women of the Rossini and Poncetta families were true pioneers of Howell Mountain in the 1870s and 1880s, toiling to plant and train vineyards and harvest steep hillsides, just as their forebears did in the Swiss and Italian countryside. Their lives were not easy, and they laid the foundation for so much of what we do. At Burgess, we honor them by naming a Cabernet Sauvignon for them: “Contadina” is the Italian word for female farmer.
Vineyard Sources
Sorenson Vineyard: Cabernet Sauvignon
First planted in 1872 by Swiss-Italian immigrants, Sorenson Vineyard has served as the
beating heart of Burgess for more than 150 years. Climbing 800-1000 feet above sea level,
this vineyard is carved into the western-facing slopes of Howell Mountain, overlooking the
Napa Valley below. The landscape is dotted with large boulders on the “Konocti Series Volcanics” soil, a very densely compacted volcanic ash, as pines and redwoods surround the vineyard, becoming immersed in morning fog during the harvest months
Haymaker Vineyard: Petit Verdot and Malbec
Acquired by Burgess Cellar in 1987, Haymaker Vineyard sits on the opposite side of Howell Mountain facing east, with a slope averaging 20%. Its soil composition mirrors the Sorenson Vineyard, with bands of uplifted marine sediments.
Vintage 2019 was a warm growing season. A wet spring eased into a long, mild summer with very few heat spikes and moderate temperatures in August and September. Our 2019 Contadina showcases great color, pure fruit flavors, and soft tannins. Aromas and flavors of blackberry and ripe black currants are layered with notes of mint, sage, and sweet tobacco."
Varietal Composition: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot, 4% Malbec
Appellation: Napa Valley AVA
Aging: 22 months in French oak barriques, 15% new
Winemaker: Reid Griggs
