Red Wine

Mt. Brave

Cabernet Franc 2013, 75cl

Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley, California, USA

Mt. Brave

History
Mt. Brave Vineyard is perched atop Mt. Veeder, at elevations between 1,400 and 1,800 feet, on the western side of Napa Valley. The name honours the Wappo people, the region’s first inhabitants. Viticulture on Mt. Veeder dates back to the 1860s, with pioneers such as Charles Krug, Agoston Haraszthy, Frederick Hess, and William S. Keyes. Wines from this region gained international recognition as early as the 1900 Paris Exposition. The plot that is now Mt. Brave was originally acquired in 1841, before the Gold Rush and the American Civil War.

The Vineyard
High-altitude viticulture requires a meticulous, hands-on approach. Poor, rocky soils and steep slopes limit water retention and increase erosion risks — but this vine stress results in small, intensely flavoured berries. The higher elevation keeps daytime temperatures cooler, while the site’s position above the fog line allows for longer sun exposure. This typically extends the growing season into November, enabling slow, full ripening and greater varietal complexity.

Winemaking
Grapes were hand-harvested during cool morning hours into small lug boxes, with an average Brix of 27.9°. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks, followed by native malolactic fermentation in barrels, softening the acidity and gently integrating vanillin notes from French oak (65% new). The wine aged for 20 months and was bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Technical Sheet
Harvest Dates: September 19 to October 9
Fermentation: Native yeasts
Maceration: 20 days
Aging: 20 months in French oak (65% new)
pH: 3.80
Total Acidity: 6.1 g/L

Awards

92/100 – CellarTracker
91/100 – Wine Enthusiast

Allergens information

Contains sulphites.

Mt. Brave

About 150 years ago, the German Presbyterian pastor Peter Veeder bravely explored the forests and canyons of the region that now bears his name. Vineyard cultivation on Mt. Veeder dates back to the 1860s, with the first wines exhibited at the Napa County Fair in 1864 by the pioneer Captain Stalham Wing.

Recognized as an AVA (American Viticultural Area) in 1993, Mt. Veeder is the largest appellation in the Napa Valley, covering around 25,000 hectares, but only 400 hectares are planted with vines — less than 2% of the valley’s total production. Yields are the lowest in the region, contributing to intense, structured, and elegant wines.

Mt. Brave is born from this extreme terroir, with vineyards planted between 400 and 800 meters altitude on steep slopes with thin, rocky soils of marine origin. Cabernet Sauvignon dominates the landscape, although Malbec performs exceptionally well here. The steep slopes, diverse microclimates, and the cooling influence of San Pablo Bay — which keeps daytime temperatures 10 to 15 °C cooler than the valley floor — result in a slow ripening cycle, with harvests extending into November.

The winemaking is led by Chris Carpenter, a key figure in Napa also known for Lokoya and Cardinale wines. Chris combines a solid education — Biology, Viticulture and Enology, and an MBA in Marketing — with a sensibility shaped by internships at Tenute Antinori in Tuscany and studies in Perugia. His goal with Mt. Brave is clear: to let the mountain speak through wines that combine precision, depth, and authenticity.

Mt. Brave is, above all, a tribute to the character of Mt. Veeder — a celebration of its history, challenges, and beauty.

A company of the Jackson Family Wines group.

Address

P.O. BOx 328, Oakville
California 94562
[email protected]
1-866-715-199