After a successful career in Graphic Design, proprietor Kathy Meinhardt started Trunk Up Wines with one goal: to raise awareness and build support for endangered elephants while connecting people through exceptional wine and thoughtful design. Her path to making wine began with the desire to create beautiful things. For over a decade, Kathy worked with boutique wine start-ups, helping to conceptualize and design wine brands from the ground up. While on-the-job she was able to learn and taste wine with some of the best and brightest in the industry, what she describes as, “my own personal master class that also brought dear friendships that I treasure today.” Emboldened by this combination of experiences and serendipity, she launched a wine conceived around an ancient mascot and an all-time good luck charm!
Lately, it feels like we have been on the look-out for charms left and right: heads-up pennies, double-rainbows, shooting stars, four-leaf clovers, you name it! You may or may not have known, an upward pointed elephant trunk is said to dispense energy, luck, prosperity and kindness. Elephants use this swift movement whenever they greet friends and it is truly an expression of sheer delight. It is said to bring compassion and good fortune to you and your loved ones.
They certainly aren’t leaning on luck to produce a great wine for Trunk Up with all of their fruit being grown within exceptionally farmed vineyards in two of Napa’s finest AVAs: Carneros, known to be Napa’s cooler climate region with volcanic and marine soils, is home to 30-year-old vines on a southwest facing hillside, providing structured Merlot and intensely perfumed Malbec. Oak Knoll, on the valley floor, known for its well-draining clay and loam soils, is home to thriving Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot vines. Both vineyards are cared for with great attention and sustainable farming. Wild berry fruits dominate the palate of this seamlessly blended red and the finish is silky smooth!
An elegant garnet color with opening aromas of ripe plum, blueberry, and anise. Flavors of bright black cherries are complemented by toasted notes of vanilla and baking spice. A blend of 34% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Franc, 22% Malbec and 11% Petit Verdot. The wine is aged in 35% new French oak for 20 months which knits the flavors together, delivering a rich, fruit forward wine balanced by juicy acidity and a round, supple finish. Here’s to Love & Luck, no poaching, and may good fortune find you! Only 217 cases produced.
