Blankiet Winery, a hidden gem in the western foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains in Napa Valley, is the true embodiment of the passion and vision of its founders, Claude and Katherine Blankiet. Claude, renowned for introducing stonewashing to America, hails from a family deeply rooted in the textile industry in France. After establishing one of the world's largest denim finishing facilities in the U.S., Claude and Katherine set their sights on creating world-class wines with a single vision - to produce wines that combine extraordinary power with elegance and definition.

Beginning of Greatness

In January 1996, the Blankiets discovered the perfect canvas for their winemaking dreams, an undeveloped hillside above the Napanook vineyard in Yountville. Without hesitation, they purchased the land, naming it Paradise Hills. Recognizing the potential of the land to produce world-class wines, they embarked on a journey to create a winery that would encapsulate their dedication to quality and artistic expression. This vineyard, located on three volcanic knolls with varied soil compositions, has been meticulously developed by the renowned viticulturist David Abreu and pioneering winemaker Helen Turley into four distinct sections, each distinguished by unique subsoil and microclimate.

Winemaking Under the Influence of the Greatest

The winemaking philosophy at Blankiet Winery revolves around minimal intervention and a deep respect for the natural expression of the grapes. Graeme MacDonald, a fourth-generation Napa Valley wine grower, currently serves as the winemaker at Blankiet Winery. He resides on his family property within the famous To Kalon Vineyard.

After studying Viticulture and Enology at the University of California, Davis Graeme founded MACDONALD in 2010, which Robert Mondavi used to refer to as “the best grape-growers in the Napa Valley”. Blankiets wines benefit greatly from McDonalds craftsmanship and are brought to new heights through his vinous guidance.
However, McDonald is not the only winemaking legend that has worked at Blankiet:
“Our first seven vintages were made by the legendary Helen Turley. Then for a few years Martha McClellan Levy assisted by world famous oenologist Michel Rolland oversaw vinification.”

Martha McClellan

From her studies in Germany at the Geisenheim University in Oenology and Viticulture to crafting wines at world-renowned estates, such as Harlan Estate Winery and being recruited by Stuart Sloan, where she managed the entire winemaking process, Martha has garnered a pristine reputation hard to compete with.
Her influence extended to Blankiet Estate, where she took the reins of winemaking and vineyard management for the 2006, 2007, and 2008 vintages. During her time at Blankiet, Martha played a pivotal role in elevating the winery to the status of esteemed producers in Napa Valley. Her commitment to excellence and deep understanding of the terroir contributed to the creation of wines that resonate with finesse and character.
Marthas journey in winemaking took a personal turn when, after years of honing their skills independently, she and her husband, Robert Levy, joined forces to create LEVY & McCLELLAN. Their label reflects the culmination of their individual talents and shared passion, producing wines that showcase the depth of their collective experience. Today, Martha, Robert, and their three children call St. Helena home, where they continue to contribute to the legacy of Napa Valley winemaking.

Vineyards and Terroir

Blankiet Winery’s site boasts 47 acres with meticulously maintained vineyards that span approximately 16 acres. The western foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains offer an ideal climate for grape growing. With eastern exposure, the vineyards receive intense morning sun, allowing for longer maturation periods, ripe tannins, and deeply perfumed fruit. The climate, slightly warmer than Bordeaux, features sunny and dry summer days with cool nights, resulting in a 50-degree temperature swing over a 24-hour period. Constant breezes from the San Pablo Bay contribute to the development of thicker grape skins, protecting against dehydration.
The soils at Paradise Hills showcase a remarkable diversity, including ancient Pacific seabed formations of sandstone, shale, volcanic tuffs, pyroclastic lava flows, and clay. This array of soils is the foundation for cultivating four grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot.

Varietal Selection and Planting

The careful selection of rootstocks grafted with clonal varieties sourced from first growth Bordeaux estates defines the character of Blankiet wines. Cabernet Sauvignon thrives on porous volcanic soils, producing wines with concentrated tannins and complex flavors. Cabernet Franc, planted on an east-facing slope, benefits from natural protection against the hot afternoon sun, allowing for extended maturation. Petit Verdot, situated on the steepest east-facing slopes, is the last to be harvested, while Merlot, planted on a deep band of brown alluvial clay, enjoys a north-northeast exposure.
Paradise Hills is farmed organically and is Napa Green Certified, a testament to the Blankiets' commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly viticulture practices.

The Process

Each grape variety is fermented separately in small custom-made stainless steel tanks, ensuring meticulous attention to detail.
The winemaking process begins with a week of cold maceration, softening the berries' cellular structure and extracting color and aromatic compounds. Alcoholic fermentation follows, with temperature carefully monitored to create an optimal environment for yeast activity. The new wine is then transferred to new French oak barrels and moved to warm caves for malolactic fermentation, followed by cold aging caves for maturation.
Blankiet's underground aging caves, maintained at 54 degrees and 95% humidity, provide an ideal environment for controlled breathing, essential for the chemical transformation during barrel maturation. The result is a complex interplay of tannins, alcohols, acids, and esters, creating wines of unparalleled depth and flavor. After a couple of years of maturation, the wine is bottled on-site without filtration or fining, preserving the true essence of the vineyard and the artistry of Blankiet Winery.

A Beacon of Excellence

Blankiet Winery stands as a beacon of excellence in Napa Valley. The Blankiet family's commitment to crafting wines that reflect the unique terroir of their estate and only employing the best of the best has positioned their winery among the elite producers in the region. As you savor a glass of Blankiet wine, you embark on a journey through the sun-soaked vineyards and rocky soils of Napa Valley, experiencing the essence of this extraordinary winemaking haven.

Written by: Arabella Maislinger