The Arrow&Branch portfolio of wine can easily be compared to the friend you admire and cherish the most….
…Generous and consistent, they always show up. They are honest, pure, cheerful and stylish, and you can’t help but smile when you are with them!
Their line-up includes two powerhouse, satin-like Cabernets, plus a savvy “Right Bank” Red Blend and finally a lively, expressive Sauvignon Blanc. Without hesitation, we are convinced that everyone’s cellars should be filled with some of each. Crafted by one of Napa Valley’s shining stars, Jennifer Williams took the lead as Winemaker for Arrow&Branch in April 2011, working with proprietors Steve and Seanne Contursi to produce top-quality Bordeaux blend wines from esteemed vineyards in the valley, one of which includes the Coombsville property they purchased from Tony Soter. They were lucky enough to also acquire the 20-year-old Cabernet Franc and Malbec vines which adorned the estate. After years of working with and learning from legendary winemakers such as Rosemary Cakebread and Francoise Peschon, Jennifer now brings her outstanding talents and experience to Arrow&Branch.
In 2002, Williams joined both Araujo and Spottswoode as a harvest intern, splitting her time between these two great winemaking estates. At Spottswoode, Jennifer was drawn to the philosophy of organic and sustainable farming, which Tony Soter had introduced in 1985. Following harvest, she joined their team full time, working under guru David Abreu in the fields and Rosemary Cakebread in the winery. In 2004, with a deeper understanding of the estate vineyard, she took over as Vineyard Manager and was Spottswoode’s Winemaker from 2006 to 2011. The San Francisco Chronicle named Jennifer a “Winemaker to Watch” in 2007. As you can see, Jennifer has been mentored and coached by the Who’s Who of Napa Valley…..who wouldn’t want to collect her wines?!
From the remarkable, high elevation Stagecoach Vineyard atop Atlas Peak at 1,300 feet in elevation, the fruit here creates a wine that glistens and charms. The cool evenings and temperate days make this area ideal for growing Sauvignon Blanc. This vineyard produces fruit full in flavor while retaining a bright acidity that is the signature of Arrow&Branch’s Sauvignon Blanc. Fermented in oak and stainless tanks to preserve the freshness, stirred on the lees and then aged to give the wine some roundness. A stunning blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc and 50% Musqué!
“A delicious and intense wine with a slight phenolic edge. It’s rich yet so vibrant. The fruits are layered with lovely citrus notes of grapefruit and lime leaf and a thread of ripe melon. Notes of peach add juiciness. Slightly spicy on the finish, this quaffable wine has a nice sweetness and a bright demeanor.” ~Jennifer Williams
