Red Wine

Mt. Brave

Mt. Veeder 2014, 75cl

Mount Veeder, Napa Valley, California, USA

Mt. Brave

History
The Mt. Brave vineyard is perched at the top of Mount Veeder, between 430 and 550 meters (1,400–1,800 feet) in altitude, on Napa Valley’s western flank. The name pays tribute to the native Wappo people, the region’s first inhabitants. Viticulture on Mount Veeder dates back to the 1860s, with pioneers such as Charles Krug, Agoston Haraszthy, Frederick Hess, and William S. Keyes. The region’s wines were already being recognized at the 1900 Paris Exposition. The plot now home to Mt. Brave was originally acquired in 1841 — before the Gold Rush and the American Civil War.

The Vineyard
Growing grapes at elevation requires a meticulous and hands-on approach. The poor, rocky soils and steep slopes make water retention difficult and increase the risk of erosion — but these tough conditions yield small berries with exceptional concentration. Higher altitudes keep daytime temperatures cooler, and the site’s position above the fog line allows for extended sun exposure. This naturally lengthens the growing season into November, promoting slow and complete ripening and enhancing varietal complexity.

Winemaking
The blend is composed of 90.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 3.5% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Malbec. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks, followed by malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels (89% new). The wine is aged for approximately 19 months and bottled without fining or filtration.

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