Red Wine

Mt. Brave

Cabernet Franc 2014, 75cl

Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley, California, USA

Mt. Brave

History
Mt. Brave Vineyard is located at the top of Mt. Veeder, between 430 and 550 metres above sea level, on the western slopes of Napa Valley. The name pays tribute to the Wappo people, the original inhabitants of the region. 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 the area gained early international recognition at the Paris Exposition of 1900. The parcel that now hosts Mt. Brave was originally acquired in 1841 — before the Gold Rush and the American Civil War.

The Vineyard
High-altitude viticulture demands a meticulous, hands-on approach. Poor, rocky soils and steep slopes hinder water retention and increase erosion risk — yet this vine struggle leads to small berries with intense concentration. The higher elevation keeps daytime temperatures cooler, while the position above the fog line ensures extended sunlight exposure. This naturally prolongs the ripening season into November, promoting slow, complete maturation and enhanced varietal complexity.

Winemaking
Grapes were hand-harvested during the cool morning hours into small lug boxes. The wine was aged in French oak barrels.

Awards

94/100 – Hudin
93/100 – CellarTracker
92/100 – 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