2015 Nine Suns Red, Napa Valley, Bottle (750ml) RP96

Nine Suns Winery: Pritchard Hill's Little Known Gem

Perched majestically atop Pritchard Hill, a place referred to as "Napa Valley's Rodeo Drive" by Wine Spectator. Established in 2010 by the Chang family, Nine Suns Winery was born when they acquired a 22-acre vineyard on this renowned terroir. They enlisted the expertise of Napa icon David Abreu to farm the Pritchard Hill vineyard, unlocking the full potential of the 22-acre parcel. Surrounded by Napa Valley's esteemed names like Colgin and Bryant Family this hidden gem awaits those who appreciate undiscovered treasures.

The Nine Suns Story

Founded by the Chang Family, Nine Suns Winery unveiled its inaugural wine in 2012 and is now helmed by Jason Chang, the visionary son carrying the family legacy forward. In 2011, the expertise of Sam Kaplan was enlisted to spearhead the launch and design of the winemaking process for Nine Suns. With an illustrious background in crafting exceptional Cabernet Sauvignons like Arkentone and Memento Mori, Kaplan proved to be the ideal candidate for creating extraordinary wines from the exquisite terroir of Pritchard Hill.

Nine Suns Winery's luxury Cabernet Sauvignon is a testament to exclusivity. Primarily accessible through a coveted mailing list, each bottle reflects meticulous craftsmanship and commands a price point that matches its remarkable demand.

Inspired by their Chinese heritage, the Nine Suns name stems from Chinese mythology where ten of the Earth’s suns came out at once and put the planet in danger of being scorched. Heroic archer, Hou Yi, then shoots down nine suns, leaving one to provide the necessary light and energy for the world. This heroic archer is also the namesake of their Pritchard Hill vineyard, Houyi.

The Vineyard

The Houyi Vineyard features traditional Bordeaux varieties, predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, along with small amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, and Malbec. At an elevation of 1,300 feet above the fog line, the Houyi Vineyard revels in an abundance of sunlight and cool breezes from the nearby San Francisco Bay. Its soil, a rich iron-red with an abundance of rocks, perfectly nurtures the Bordeaux varieties that thrive there. In essence, the Houyi Vineyard stands as one of Napa Valley's best-kept secrets, boasting a truly remarkable terroir. 

Undiscovered Greatness

Consider this: legends like Bryant Family, and Colgin Cellars all began their journey on Pritchard Hill and swiftly rose to prominence in Napa Valley. So, why hasn't Nine Suns become a renowned estate in the public eye? The answer lies in the Chang family's focus on grape production. For years, they have been selling grapes to respected producers like Realm and Bevan, thereby limiting their own production and making their wines exceedingly rare to find.

This limited availability makes procuring a bottle from Nine Suns Winery a truly special experience. If you relish the thrill of discovering hidden gems and delight in uncovering diamonds in the rough, Nine Suns Winery awaits your discerning palate. With only 400 cases made, it's time to experience Pritchard Hill's best-kept secret and savor the exquisite wines crafted from the extraordinary Houyi Vineyard. 

Written by: Craig Headding

Back to Top ↑

Recently viewed