Palmaz Vineyards is a family‑owned winery located in Napa Valley, California, United States. Established in 1997 by Amalia and Julio Palmaz, the estate occupies the historic Cedar Knoll Vineyard property, which dates to 1881 and was originally founded by Henry Hagen, an early Napa pioneer.
Location and appellation
The winery sits near Napa, California, within the Napa Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA). Its coordinates are 38°19′25″ N, 122°13′30″ W.
Vineyard and production
Palmaz Vineyards cultivates approximately 55 acres of vineyards using sustainable farming practices. The estate produces a range of varietals, with a primary focus on Cabernet Sauvignon. Other planted grapes include Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, Riesling, Chardonnay, and Muscat, along with smaller plantings of the aforementioned varieties.
Winemaking facilities
The winery is noted for its extensive underground wine cave, the largest in Napa Valley, encompassing roughly 100,000 square feet. The cave system is built into the living rock of Mount George and consists of multi‑leveled tunnels and domes, including a 72‑foot‑diameter, 54‑foot‑high fermentation dome. The vertical height of the cave (equivalent to an 18‑storey building) enables a gravity‑flow winemaking process, minimizing mechanical pumping and allowing gentle handling of the wine. The underground environment maintains a constant temperature of about 60 °F and 75 % relative humidity.
Operations and personnel
Key members of the Palmaz family are involved in the winery’s operations: Tina Mitchell serves as winemaker; Christian Gaston Palmaz is Director of Operations; Florencia Palmaz oversees marketing; and Jessica Palmaz manages hospitality.
Historical significance
Palmaz Vineyards revives the pre‑Prohibition Cedar Knoll Vineyard, restoring the historic Hagen House and surrounding vineyards after a period of abandonment. The estate’s emphasis on sustainability, technological innovation, and gravity‑flow winemaking distinguishes it within the Napa wine industry.
References
- Fallis, Catherine; Cohen, Robert M. Great Boutique Wines: You Can Buy Online (2006).
- Blue, Anthony Dias. Anthony Dias Blue's Pocket Guide to Wine 2007 (2006).
External link
- Official website: http://www.palmazvineyards.com/