| Region of production: | Mount Veeder AVA |
| Winery Location: | Napa |
| Year Established: | 1941 (winery built in 1889) |
Vineyard Holdings
192 ha (21.5 ha planted)
Top Wines Produced & Inaugural Vintages
- Mayacamas Chardonnay: mid 1950s
Average Total Production
- 36,000 – 60,000 bottles
Summary
John Henry Fisher constructed present-day Mayacamas on Mount Veeder in 1889. The winery changed hands multiple times over the last 120+ years but most well known was the purchase by Robert and Elinor Travers in 1968. Bob Travers previously worked for Heitz Cellars and tailored the winery’s production to Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The 1971 Mayacamas Cabernet was entered into the 1976 Judgment of Paris and in the 10 and 30-year retrospective tastings where it placed 7th, 2nd, and 3rd respectively. Charles Banks of Terroir Capital purchased Mayacamas in 2013 and winemaking and viticulture responsibility was given to Andy Erickson and Annie Favia.
Style & Vinification Techniques
The mature vineyards of Mayacamas are dry-farmed and yields are low, often around one ton per acre. Most vineyards are older, with some Chardonnay plantings dating back to the early 1950s. The winery operates via gravity flow and juice from pressed grapes is directed to a combination of large, wooden fermentation tanks. Chardonnay wines do not go through malolactic fermentation. After fermentation the wine completes its élevage in barrel (less than 10% new) for twelve months.
Producer Website: Mayacamas