We’d been trying to find a date to meet (virtually) with Victoria Coleman for several weeks. (It’s always a good sign when a winemaker is wildly busy with the year-round tasks to ensure the wines are as darn near perfect as they can be.) At last a window opened on the schedule, and we had the most delightful conversation about the wines; Victoria’s adventures in China (in winemaking); and the evolution of Lobo Wines in her thirteen years with them.
Victoria Coleman is a graduate of the UC Davis enology program and began her winemaking journey at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars as production assistant. She returned to the Napa Valley after a stint at Jade Valley Winery near Xian, China, and consultedg with new wineries there as well. Victoria also was exposed to classic, Old World winemaking in 2008 when she worked alongside Erick Tourbier at Chateau Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux, France. Her stories of jumping into the wine industry feet first and finding a career path to consulting as a winemaker are fascinating!
Having been at Lobo for more than a decade now gives her a unique perspective on how their estate vines and viticulture practices have evolved. With a portfolio encompassing both the Napa Valley and Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Proprietary Blend of Cabernet and Syrah, “Howl,” Victoria’s ability to predict the directions her wines for Lobo will take, from crush pad through fermentation and aging, translates into highly-rated estate wines.
Lobo’s bottlings are all small lot, made from single vineyard fruit that is 100% estate grown and sustainably farmed. The owners began with a piece of land in the Napa Valley, where they planted their first Chardonnay vineyard in the Oak Knoll district, north of Napa.
Taking the next step a few years later, they acquired a much larger vineyard about a mile from the first one. After substantial improvements to drainage and vine care, they were rewarded with excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Pinot Noir.
In 2007, the owners found their dream property on Atlas Peak, 42 acres on the eastern ridge of the Napa Valley. In addition to indescribable views, the 1350 foot elevation along with rocky, volcanic soil and southwestern sun exposure, make ideal conditions for superlative Cabernet Sauvignon.
And the hypnotic eyes on the labels? Listen in to hear all about the evolution of the “Lobo” (“wolf”) labels, named for owners, whose last name is Wulff. For more on Lobo Wines, visit: https://www.lobowines.com/
Podcast (ww): Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:01:57 — 57.4MB)
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