Realm Cellars, dubbed "one of Napa's hottest wineries" by Antonio Galloni, and lauded by Robert Parker for “their remarkable ascent into the top tier of Napa Valley producers,” has been making waves for over two decades. With a remarkable 28 perfect scores from critics worldwide, their journey from humble beginnings to becoming a Napa Valley benchmark estate is nothing short of impressive. Over the course of two decades of relentless pursuit of excellence, Realm Cellars has secured its place as a benchmark estate in the heart of Napa Valley.
The Rise of Realm
Established in 2002 as a passion project by Juan Mercado and Wendell Laidley, Realm Cellars initially operated as a virtual winery. Armed with unwavering determination and a thirst for perfection, they rented space at various facilities and pooled all available resources to craft their first wines. Despite challenges and limitations associated with sharing production space, Mercado and Laidley forged valuable relationships in their early years. These relationships paved the way for sourcing fruit from coveted sites like Beckstoffer's heritage vineyards, including To Kalon and Dr. Crane, laying a solid foundation for their future success.
In 2011, they made a pivotal decision by bringing in the talented Benoit Touquette, who had relocated to Napa Valley in 2004 after graduating from the University of Bordeaux. He honed his craft under the mentorship of former Screaming Eagle winemaker, Andy Erickson, and established a deep bond with the revered French winemaking icon, Michel Rolland. It was Rolland who played matchmaker, introducing Benoit to Erickson. Benoit enlisted Rolland as Realm’s consultant for his expertise in blends, paving the way for a new era of prosperity.
Defying Expectations
Just two years after Touquette's arrival, the winery faced financial turbulence. Mercado and Laidley had already weathered controversy when their 2003 harvest was tragically destroyed in a warehouse fire. Undeterred, they called upon Scott Becker for help in avoiding bankruptcy. Becker, a US Air Force veteran and Harvard MBA, Becker succumbed to the allure of wine during his personal travels, and his journey ultimately led him to become the savior of Realm Cellars. Becker's extensive experience garnered at prestigious establishments like Cakebread and Promontory, positioned him perfectly to rally investors and secure the winery's future.
One turning point in the REALM journey happened during a tasting event at Chateau Boswell, where Realm Cellars was crafting its wines at the time, Scott observed an anomaly in the 2009 The Bard. Concerned, he returned to the humble office space shared by the team and promptly reached out to Benoit. The subsequent investigation revealed that some bottles exhibited the unmistakable taint of brettanomyces, commonly known as "brett". With their commitment to quality at the forefront, Scott and Benoit faced a pivotal decision. Despite the financial implications – Realm Cellars chose to discard the entire batch bottle by bottle.
The challenge continued with the difficult 2011 Vintage. Robert Parker had given the Realm Portfolio of wines "lackluster" reviews and it was looking like the doors were closing for Realm Cellars. Scott said at that time, "They were telling me to fold. But I couldn’t do that to Benoit or the team. I doubted myself, I doubted the business, but I didn’t doubt them."
Then the 2012 Vintage. In October 2014, Robert Parker published the Review of the 2012's and Realm’s Dr. Crane Vineyard and The Absurd both received 100 points, with no label scoring below 96.
“The meaning of tasting those 2012 wines with Bob...” Becker said, “...we will never forget that, and we continue to wake up every day trying to live up to the opportunity he gave us.”
Strategic Growth in Napa Valley
This pivotal moment arrived as Realm Cellars transitioned from a virtual winery to an esteemed estate with the acquisition of the historic Hartwell Winery. They began acquiring their own vineyards, gradually transitioning from exclusively using purchased fruit to a blend of estate and sourced grapes.
“The place wasn’t exactly what you’d call turn-key. And looking back, that makes sense for Realm. We’ve always thrived on challenge. On finding something with lots of potential and then working like crazy to bring out the best in it.” - Scott
Another significant milestone came in 2018 when they signed a long-term lease agreement for Farella Vineyard, further expanding their vineyard holdings. In 2022 another opportunity emerged—a chance to acquire the Nine Suns Winery and the Houyi Vineyard on the esteemed Pritchard Hill. The addition of the Houyi Vineyard enriched their already impressive collection of legendary terroirs.
The Wines – “Pure Perfection In A Glass”
“Realm. What calls into question your assumptions about this name and indeed Napa Valley are the wines. What’s inside these bottles is so disarmingly unassuming. These are wines that are recognizably honest to their Napa origins yet are laced with such drama and conflict, beauty and passion, sound and fury. They pull you in and make you question. They outright challenge your preconceptions about where they come from and the people that make them. And, ultimately, after you have been so challenged, summoned and enticed, they welcome you into their Realm.”
—Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate, 8th Oct 2020
From Virtual to Reality
Realm Cellars' journey to stardom was not without its share of challenges. However, their unwavering perseverance and commitment have propelled them to become one of Napa Valley's most acclaimed producers. In just over two decades, they have evolved from a start-up on a shoestring budget to one of Napa Valley’s finest, deserving of a cherished place in any wine collector's cellar. Their wines are crafted to age gracefully for decades, ensuring the rise of Realm Cellars is no fleeting phenomenon—it's a Napa Valley powerhouse that will continue to shine brightly for many years to come.
Written by: Craig Headding & Arabella Maislinger
