| Region of production: | Los Carneros AVA & Atlas Peak AVA, Napa Valley |
| Winery Location: | Napa |
| Year Established: | 1996 |
Vineyard Holdings
- Stone Crest Vineyard (Atlas Peak): 2 ha
- Kongsgaard Family Vineyard (Napa Valley)
Sourced vineyards
- Hudson Vineyards (Carneros AVA)
- Hyde vineyards (Carneros AVA)
Top Wines Produced & Inaugural Vintages
- Chardonnay (Napa Valley AVA): 1996
- “The Judge” Chardonnay (Napa Valley AVA): 1996
Average Total Production
- 36,000 bottles
Summary
John Kongsgaard is a fifth-generation Napa winemaker who got his first head winemaker position with Newton, where he developed the winery’s famous style of “unfiltered” Chardonnay. After leaving Newton in 1996, he founded Kongsgaard to specialize in the production of high-end Chardonnay. John’s longstanding relationship with Carneros vineyard owners Lee Hudson and Larry Hyde has allowed him to capitalize on some of the best grapes in that region. In 2004 he purchased a property atop Atlas Creek and built a new winery. His son Alex presently aids him in the winemaking at Kongsgaard.
Style & Vinification Techniques
In the vineyard, Kongsgaard focuses on very low yields and higher-than-average ripeness (25° Brix is common). Early leaf thinning for greater sun exposure on ripening grapes in order to promote thicker skins is also commonly employed. In the winery, John practices what he calls “care through neglect,” allowing wines to oxidize prior to fermentation and minimal sulfur use. Slow fermentation (started by ambient yeasts) takes place in barrel and may last up to a year or more. It is common for secondary fermentation to finish well before alcoholic fermentation. Wines stay in new oak barrels for up to two years.
Producer Website: Kongsgaard