Terra Valentine Cabernet Sauvignon Fountain Grove Sonoma County 2017

Terra Valentine was founded in 1996 by Angus and Margaret Wurtele. They came out to Napa from Minnesota, bought a young vineyard in Napa’s Spring Mountain region, and gave the project a name with dual meanings – Angus’ father’s name was Valentine, and they were conveying their love of the land (terra). In 1999, the couple added the historic Yverdon property, which included a vineyard and stone winery. This was also when they brought on respected winemaker Phil Baxter, along with his son Sam as cellar master, gradually building up an impressive Cabernet-focused estate. 

In 2013, ready to partially retire, they sold the winemaking facility, tasting room, and Yverdon Vineyard to Jackson Family Wines, which made it the home of their elite Lokoya label. The Wurteles sold the Terra Valentine brand itself to Sam, who had long been in the head winemaker role, and his wife, Angela. The Baxters went on to purchase a 112-acre property near the top of Spring Mountain, establishing it as the new estate and tasting space for Terra Valentine and Foretell Wines. The Wurteles still own their highly regarded Wurtele Vineyard, which remains a source of exquisitely structured fruit for Terra Valentine. Paying close attention to soil types and ripening patterns, Sam produces seamless wines that capture the intensity of mountain viticulture with elegance, balance, and a polished sense of place.