After many years as one of the few voices for restraint in Napa Valley, today Cathy Corison is rightly recognised as being among the region's finest winemakers. Over the past forty years Cathy has never wavered from producing the style of Cabernet that she loves. It is this commitment to elegance and balance, achieved through conscientious viticulture and restrained winemaking, that has inspired a new generation of winemakers across the state to reject the souped-up and turbo-charged wines that have dominated in recent years. After spending years on the periphery, Cathy’s wines are now finally getting the credit they deserve for being among the finest renditions of Cabernet Sauvignon in California.
WINERY HISTORY:
It's been a journey of unwavering commitment for Cathy Corison. Growing up in the heart of California, the allure of winemaking drew her early. She then embarked on a journey to UC Davis, joining the ranks of wine prodigies like John Kongsgaard and Randall Grahm, at a time when the Golden State's wine prowess was burgeoning. Over four decades, Cathy's voice, advocating restraint in an era of souped up, turbo-charged wines, has been consistent. Her vision for a Cabernet, full of elegance and poise, stood firm. This tenacious commitment has not only sculpted her wines but has also inspired a brigade of young winemakers to embrace subtlety and grace. Once an outlier, today, Cathy's wines bask in the acclaim they've always merited, being regarded as some of the most illustrious Cabernet Sauvignons in the state.
IN THE VINEYARD:
Nestled in the picturesque heart of Napa's Saint Helena AVA, both of Corison's treasured vineyards, Kronos and Sunbasket, thrive on the region's distinctive Bale gravelly loam soils. This terrain, commonly referred to as the 'bench', is a result of its step-like structure that provides ideal drainage conditions for the vines.
Kronos Vineyard: Established in 1971 and acquired by Corison in 1995, Kronos proudly stands as one of Napa's few remaining old Cabernet vineyards. Planted on resilient St. George rootstock, these organically farmed vines might be limited in their yields, but they consistently deliver wines of profound depth, aroma, and complexity.
Sunbasket Vineyard: Corison's long-standing relationship with Sunbasket is rooted in its vibrant fruit, which captures the essence of Napa's abundant sunshine. Originally planted by the renowned winemaker, André Tchelistcheff, in the 1950s, Sunbasket offers wines teeming with bright red and blue fruit tones and delicate aromatics. Since purchasing the plot in 2015, the focus has been on sustainable and organic farming, ensuring the vineyard continues to produce wines that truly reflect its unique terroir and the sun-soaked terrains of Saint Helena.
IN THE WINERY:
Cathy Corison's winemaking philosophy is deeply rooted in her respect for the vineyards. Recognising the inherent power of Cabernet Sauvignon, she aims to harness its strength while embracing elegance. This equilibrium is achieved through meticulous vineyard management, ensuring grapes reach optimal ripeness with a retained vibrancy. In the winery, her non-interventionist approach lets the grapes express themselves. Post-fermentation, the wines mature for 20 months in French oak barrels, allowing for a nuanced development of character.
DID YOU KNOW?
The graphics on Corison labels draw inspiration from ancient life symbols, representing rain and a sprouting seed. These symbols were found on vases unearthed from a site linked to one of the earliest European cultures that engaged in viticulture and winemaking over 7,000 years ago.
WINERY HISTORY:
It's been a journey of unwavering commitment for Cathy Corison. Growing up in the heart of California, the allure of winemaking drew her early. She then embarked on a journey to UC Davis, joining the ranks of wine prodigies like John Kongsgaard and Randall Grahm, at a time when the Golden State's wine prowess was burgeoning. Over four decades, Cathy's voice, advocating restraint in an era of souped up, turbo-charged wines, has been consistent. Her vision for a Cabernet, full of elegance and poise, stood firm. This tenacious commitment has not only sculpted her wines but has also inspired a brigade of young winemakers to embrace subtlety and grace. Once an outlier, today, Cathy's wines bask in the acclaim they've always merited, being regarded as some of the most illustrious Cabernet Sauvignons in the state.
IN THE VINEYARD:
Nestled in the picturesque heart of Napa's Saint Helena AVA, both of Corison's treasured vineyards, Kronos and Sunbasket, thrive on the region's distinctive Bale gravelly loam soils. This terrain, commonly referred to as the 'bench', is a result of its step-like structure that provides ideal drainage conditions for the vines.
Kronos Vineyard: Established in 1971 and acquired by Corison in 1995, Kronos proudly stands as one of Napa's few remaining old Cabernet vineyards. Planted on resilient St. George rootstock, these organically farmed vines might be limited in their yields, but they consistently deliver wines of profound depth, aroma, and complexity.
Sunbasket Vineyard: Corison's long-standing relationship with Sunbasket is rooted in its vibrant fruit, which captures the essence of Napa's abundant sunshine. Originally planted by the renowned winemaker, André Tchelistcheff, in the 1950s, Sunbasket offers wines teeming with bright red and blue fruit tones and delicate aromatics. Since purchasing the plot in 2015, the focus has been on sustainable and organic farming, ensuring the vineyard continues to produce wines that truly reflect its unique terroir and the sun-soaked terrains of Saint Helena.
IN THE WINERY:
Cathy Corison's winemaking philosophy is deeply rooted in her respect for the vineyards. Recognising the inherent power of Cabernet Sauvignon, she aims to harness its strength while embracing elegance. This equilibrium is achieved through meticulous vineyard management, ensuring grapes reach optimal ripeness with a retained vibrancy. In the winery, her non-interventionist approach lets the grapes express themselves. Post-fermentation, the wines mature for 20 months in French oak barrels, allowing for a nuanced development of character.
DID YOU KNOW?
The graphics on Corison labels draw inspiration from ancient life symbols, representing rain and a sprouting seed. These symbols were found on vases unearthed from a site linked to one of the earliest European cultures that engaged in viticulture and winemaking over 7,000 years ago.
