Century-old agave trees lead the way up into our 22-acre estate, where rocky hillsides and sun-kissed vines enjoy soaring views of the Napa Valley below. Hand tended and organically farmed from the beginning, our vineyard has been certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers since 2019 – a testament to our commitment to purity and quality in every wine we craft.
Our property climbs from 1,045 to 1,375 feet above sea level in the Crystal Springs of Napa Valley AVA, which was established in fall 2024 as Napa Valley’s only all-hillside AVA. Wedged neatly in between the St. Helena AVA and the Howell Mountain AVA, this area is what proprietor Danica Patrick calls “the sweet spot” for grape growing. These middle elevations escape the temperature extremes both on the valley floor, where the coldest air tends to pool, and higher up on Howell Mountain, where there is no fog to help buffer extreme temperatures. Constant air movement from light mountain breezes helps to regulate temperatures at our site, cooling the area in the heat and preventing frost in winter and spring.
The Somnium Estate vineyard’s protected, southwest-facing orientation allows for optimal sun exposure, ensuring that our six planted acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot can achieve full ripeness without losing their freshness from too much late-afternoon sun. The site’s rocky, volcanic soils and steep grades of 15 to 30 percent offer superb natural drainage and contribute to our wines’ robust structure. This unique combination of factors gives our wines their exceptional texture, density, and freshness – the building blocks of age-worthy Cabernet.
Our founder Danica Patrick developed the site in collaboration with Piña Vineyard Management when she acquired the property in 2009, and the first vines were planted in 2011. We cultivate both the Weimer Clone and Clone 30 of Cabernet Sauvignon, as each brings unique characteristics to Somnium wines. The Weimer Clone is believed to be derived from the Samsonite clone, and is known for its exceptionally dark and lively fruit. Clone 30 is a descendent of the Disney-Silverado selection from one of Napa Valley’s most respected vineyards, and contributes brooding intensity with rich aromatic complexity.
We are proud to count as our Crystal Springs neighbors such esteemed wineries as Viader, Bremer Family Winery, Seven Stones, Zakin Estate, and Burgess Cellars' Sorensen Vineyard, among others.
