Lokoya Winery

Lokoya Winery produces perhaps Napa Valley's most outstanding mountain-grown cabernet, founded by the visionary minds of Jess Jackson and Barbara Banke in 1995. Nestled within the majestic embrace of Napa Valley's esteemed mountain vineyards, Lokoya crafts four exquisite wines from select vineyards in the region's most prestigious mountain appellations, consistently earning 100-point scores. Industry heavyweight Robert Parker pronounced Lokoya wines as “consistently among the greatest Cabernet Sauvignons made.”

Behind Lokoya Wine

Established in 1995, Lokoya Winery crafts four terroir-specific wines: Diamond Mountain, Howell Mountain, Spring Mountain, and Mount Veeder. As part of Jess Jackson's famed Kendall-Jackson empire, Lokoya has been hailed as "one of the superstars of Napa" since its first vintage. During the late '80s and early '90s, as the Kendall-Jackson portfolio expanded, these single vineyards were blended to create Cardinale's flagship wine. However, the discovery of exceptional single-vineyard lots by Cardinale's winemaking team led to the idea of creating a high-end terroir-specific Napa Cabernet – thus, Lokoya was born.

Today, the wines are masterminded by talented winemaker Chris Carpenter, who has been at the helm since 2001. With over two decades of experience, Carpenter crafts powerful, age-worthy wines, opting to use the same treatments on each vineyard.

Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon: Grown Above the Fog Line

Lokoya cabernet is released to four different labels, each top-tier wine acutely harnessing the power of Napa Valley's incredible mountain terroirs. Vineyard elevation ranges from 500-2,600 feet above sea level, a rarity in Napa Valley cabernet.

Lokoya Mount Veeder

Lokoya's Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon is the estate's flagship label. The Veeder Peak estate vineyard sits 1,800 feet above sea level on the western ridges of the Mayacamas Mountains. Due to the site's volcanic soils, the vines struggle and are forced to seek nutrients, producing fruit that is intensely concentrated. Ultimately, the final blend displays notes of violet and blue fruit, powerful tannins, and exceptional aging potential, easily making a name as one of Napa Valley's premier wines.

Lokoya Howell Mountain

Lokoya Howell Mountain is grown from the W.S. Keyes vineyard, which was planted on the northeastern side of the Vaca Range in 1888. The vineyard is located 1,900 feet above sea level, and its sandstone, red clay, and confer biomatter soils provide excellent drainage for the cabernet vines. Combined with the steady breeze and sunlight, the fruit is given extra time to ripen, blossoming into small grapes with concentrated flavor and minerality. Once blended, the bottles flaunt an earthy, dark fruit profile with a dense mouthfeel.

Lokoya Spring Mountain

Lokoya Spring Mountain cabernet is sourced from three different vineyards — Spring Mountain Vineyard, Wurtele Vineyard, and estate-owned Yverdon Vineyard. The respective elevations range from 1,000 to 2,100 feet above sea level, each resting above St. Helena on the eastern slope of the Mayacamas Mountains. Due to the region's sedimentary soils and cool daytime temperatures, the wine possesses a signature floral quality and smooth tannins, a stark contrast to its sibling labels.

Lokoya Diamond Mountain

Lokoya Diamond Mountain wine is produced from fruit on the estate-owned Rhyolite Ridge and Wallis Vineyards, as well as the Andrew Geoffrey Vineyard. All of the plots are situated on the western edge of the Mayacamas Mountains and contain volcanic and loam soils, which work with the cabernet vines in a peculiar manner. When mixed with the moderate climate, the fruit produces a final bottle that is noted for black cherry flavors, notes of dark chocolate, and a full-bodied mouthfeel.

Lokoya Winery Vinification Process

Head winemaker Chris Carpenter is known for his low-intervention techniques on the vineyard and in the cellar. The esteemed winemaker uses the same processes for each of the four blends, fermenting the wine with native yeasts, aging it in French oak for 18-22 months, and bottling unfined and unfiltered. 

Add Lokoya Cabernet To Your Cellar

Lokoya is regularly referred to as Napa Valley's premier mountain-grown cabernet, showcasing the renowned terroirs of four distinct AVAs. Their exceptional track record under Chris Carpenter's guidance, marked by fourteen 100-point scores, is a testament to their outstanding quality.

These long-lived mountain Cabernets are cherished by Napa Valley's most devoted collectors and connoisseurs. If you're part of this dedicated following, acquiring these coveted wines is a must to complete your prized collection. If your wine cellar lacks a revered assortment of mountain cabernet, there's no better time than now to make it whole.