TERROIR
Napa Valley is home to over one hundred of the world’s two hundred and fifty recognized soil variations, spread across its sixteen distinct wine-growing appellations. At AXR Napa Valley, we embrace these unique characteristics, crafting wines that reflect the diverse qualities of each soil type. Climate, location, and elevation – whether cool or warm, valley floor or mountain hillside – all shape the identity of our wines. This deep connection to the land guides our winemaking, ensuring each bottle tells the story of Napa Valley’s remarkable terroir.
HUDSON – Generosity
In 2023 we were presented with a rare and exciting opportunity to partner with Hudson Vineyard, granting access to their prized Heritage Clone Chardonnay blocks. This coveted fruit is among the most sought-after in Napa Valley, and for Jean Hoefliger, working with it has been a long-held dream and an opportunity that comes once in a decade. Spanning 200 acres in the Carneros region, Hudson Vineyards is a mosaic of meticulously planted blocks reflecting the area’s unique landscape. Founder Lee Hudson purchased the ranch in 1981 and has spent decades building relationships with wineries that share his commitment to honest, expressive winemaking. His approach blends practical vineyard management with environmental stewardship, fostering harmony between the vineyard and the region’s native flora and fauna.
RITCHIE – Mineral
Ritchie Vineyard stands as a cornerstone of Chardonnay excellence in the Russian River Valley AVA, shaped by the vision and dedication of Kent Ritchie. A self-taught viticulturist, Kent planted the vineyard in 1972 on AxR1 rootstock, trusting his instinct and understanding of the land. Remarkably, it remains on its original rootstock, never replanted, making it a rare site of old-vine Chardonnay. Perched in the path of coastal fog that retreats by late morning, Ritchie enjoys a long growing season, allowing the fruit to develop remarkable complexity and nuance. Its Goldridge soil, a fine sandy loam prized for drainage and balance, and widely spaced vines yielding just 2.5 tons per acre add to the vineyard’s distinctive character. The result is a Chardonnay of intense fruit concentration, scintillating tension, and vibrant energy, crafted with a Burgundian influence reflects the style Jean Hoefliger personally enjoys.
CROWN POINT – Pleasure
Located in the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA, Crown Point Vineyard is defined by its exceptional terroir, unique microclimate, and cutting-edge viticultural practices, a combination that produces wines of remarkable structure, complexity, and aging potential. Its east-west orientation allows for optimal sunlight exposure, while an elevated position fosters slow, even ripening, which is key to developing complex phenolic compounds. The vineyard’s rocky, mineral-rich soils, a mix of clay, loam, and sand, encourage deep rooting and low yields of intensely concentrated fruit. Embracing precision agriculture, Crown Point uses technologies such as drone imaging and soil moisture sensors to monitor vine health, water stress, and canopy development in real time. This innovative approach, combined with the vineyard’s natural attributes, results in wines with vibrant acidity, layered complexity, and the ability to evolve beautifully in the bottle.
SLEEPING LADY- Elegance
Sleeping Lady Vineyard is a gem within the Yountville AVA, owned by Giancarlo Bettinelli, son of Napa Valley grape-growing legend Larry Bettinelli. The vineyard takes its name from the distinctive foothills behind the property, resembling a woman resting on her side. The Bettinelli family has long been at the forefront of innovation, pioneering the Lyre trellis system to optimize sun exposure and airflow. Today, they continue to push boundaries with technology that tracks photosynthesis, vine stress, and phenolic evolution, making Sleeping Lady one of the most advanced vineyards in the valley. Situated on alluvial soils from the Mayacamas Bench, the vineyard’s east-to-west orientation and gentle slopes create a cooler climate than areas like St. Helena. The result is wines of remarkable elegance and finesse. This natural grace, combined with Jean Hoefliger’s signature style, produces wines that captivate with balance, texture, structure, and unforgettable mouthfeel.
BENNETT – Explosion
Located in the cooler Coombsville AVA of Napa Valley, this southeast-facing vineyard benefits from the coastal influence of the San Pablo Bay. The region’s moderate climate, with cooler temperatures, morning fog, and excellent drainage, creates optimal conditions for a long and even growing season. This slower ripening allows grapes to develop concentrated flavors while preserving natural acidity, hallmarks of this distinct AVA. Coombsville is known for producing wines with balance, structure, and vibrant acidity, and the Bennett Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon reflects these qualities. The wine offers layers of deep blue and black fruit, nuanced aromatics, and a rich mouthfeel, capturing the complexity and refinement for which Coombsville is known. Bennett Vineyard is owned and managed by Richard Bennett, a long-standing figure in Coombsville viticulture. With decades of experience and lasting partnerships with winemakers, as Jean Hoefliger notes, “Once you enter Richard’s circle of friends, you never leave it.”
BECKSTOFFER TO KALON – Structure
Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. First planted in 1868 by Hamilton Walker Crabb, one of Napa Valley’s earliest winemakers, the vineyard was originally named “To Kalon,” meaning “highest beauty” in ancient Greek. It quickly gained a reputation for exceptional wines. Today, the 89 acres owned by grower Andy Beckstoffer are among the most iconic vineyard land in the world. Located in western Oakville, just south of Robert Mondavi Winery, the site features alluvial and volcanic soils with a subtle 18-foot slope. This allows for excellent drainage, mineral complexity, and vine balance. The Mayacamas Mountains provide afternoon shade during the hottest months, preserving freshness. These unique conditions yield wines of immense structure, grainy tannins, and layered depth. Beckstoffer To Kalon consistently produces wines with a lingering finish and remarkable character.
HARBISON – Dynamic
Oakville is home to some of Napa Valley’s most prestigious wineries, including Screaming Eagle, Opus One, Bacchus, Dalla Valle, and Harlan Estate. These producers have earned international acclaim, helping establish Oakville as a premier wine region. In the middle of where these iconic sites intersect sits a small, family-owned estate called Harbison Vineyard. Combining iron-rich red volcanic soil and extreme micro-farming creates a dream vineyard for Jean Hoefliger. On his first visit, the moment he tasted the grapes, he saw their potential to produce a world-class wine. It was the first time he had such a vision without ever having made the wine. Pat and Joe Harbison purchased the land in 2005 and planted it in small blocks to support micro-farming and allow the wines to express the estate’s varied soil types and Cabernet Sauvignon clones.
V MADRONE – Balance
AXR Napa Valley retained the name “V Madrone” to honor the rich history of the estate acquired in 2017. Preserving the name pays homage to the vineyard’s legacy and its deep connection to the land and community. Planted in 2002, the site lies against the Mayacamas range at the base of Spring Mountain. Its sloped, east-facing orientation allows for early shade, preserving flavor and acidity. Gravelly soils add depth, structure, and vibrant aromatics to the wine. The 3.5 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon span diverse soil types, from riverbed deposits to ancient mountain sediment, producing a range of spice and fruit profiles with beautiful balance. The presence of Coastal Redwoods adds an enchanting, earthy character, transporting you to the estate’s Fairy Circle, a unique grove grown from a single ancient mother tree.
DENALI – Velvet
Denali Estate is a 42-acre property in the hills of St. Helena, overlooking the Joseph Phelps Vineyard. Fourteen acres of Cabernet Sauvignon are planted across three distinct terrains with terraced, gravelly, and sandy loam soils. Its west-facing orientation ensures full sunlight, encouraging early ripening and rich flavor development. This is often the first single vineyard picked during harvest to retain acidity and tannin structure, hallmarks of Jean Hoefliger’s style. The wines from Denali are bold, structured, and lush, with intense fruit and mineral tension often described as an iron fist in a velvet glove. Walt and Katherine Schlotfeldt acquired the estate in 2005, drawn by its beauty and potential. AXR showcases Denali through multiple wine expressions, from broad valley blends to focused vineyard designates, inviting you to explore the complexity of Napa Valley.