Nestled at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains in the heart of the Napa Valley, Dana Estates is committed to making small lots of truly distinctive world class wines. Dana is a Sanskrit term meaning “the Spirit of Generosity.” It is in this spirit that Proprietor, Hi Sang Lee, and his dedicated team express a profound appreciation for those that have worked the soil before them, as they build on the foundations laid by previous generations of vintners. Blending history and tradition with cutting edge vineyard management, a new state of the art winery and meticulous winemaking, Dana Estates strives to make the greatest wines possible.
The great Philippe Melka has been at the helm of Dana Estates since the debut vintage of 2005. Dana is, hands down, a “winemaker’s winery,” designed entirely with their estate vineyards and small lots in mind. Unlike so many other Napa wineries, stainless steel tanks are nowhere to be found on the property, as they are not used for any fermentations. The winery includes three individual fermentation rooms that each correspond to the three vineyard sites – the Helms Cabernet Sauvignon is fermented in large customized oak tanks, much of the Hershey Vineyard wines are barrel-fermented in French oak barriques, and finally grapes from the Lotus Vineyard are fermented in varying-size concrete vessels to help soften some of the robust tannins that the Lotus Vineyard is known for.
ONDA is a gorgeous wine made in the Bordeaux tradition by blending 95% Cabernet Sauvignon with 4% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot showcasing fruit from all of Dana’s single vineyards: 68% of the blend comes from the Crystal Springs Vineyard located a stone’s throw from David Abreu's iconic Lucia Vineyard on Howell Mountain, with 18% of the blend coming from their Hershey Vineyard, 11% from the Lotus Vineyard and 3% from the Helms Vineyard planted at the winery's estate in Rutherford. Aged for 20 months in 66% new French oak, this blend is exceptional! In our glass, we find a multi-faceted and complex Cabernet Sauvignon with layers of fresh black plum and blackberry interlaced with notes of forest floor, wet stone, savory herbs, and baking spice. On the palate, red and black fruit flavors give a fresh energy on top of a velvety texture. Since the backbone of the blend comes from hillside sources, the grapes lend precise tannins, opulence and intense flavors of cassis, dark chocolate, and a creamy texture. Small amounts of Merlot and Petit Verdot bring depth and nuances of black tea and blueberries. While this wine is very approachable now, this wine will grow in complexity as it ages. Enjoy now through 2030 and beyond.
