"One of the valley's top boutique producers, with roots that go deep into Napa—owner Tor Kenward worked at Beringer for 27 years before retiring in 2001 to start his eponymous label, and winemaker Jeff Ames has worked with To Kalon fruit for 23 vintages—Tor continues to turn out benchmark Cabernets from historic vineyards." - Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate
When exploring the rich tapestry of Napa Valley's winemaking history, TOR Winery emerges as a true icon, deeply rooted in the region's evolution. Founded in 2001 by the esteemed Tor Kenward and his wife, Susan, Tor Winery has become synonymous with crafting coveted, age-worthy wines that reflect the essence of Napa's finest vineyards.
TOR Winery: History in Napa Valley
Tor Kenward, a pioneer and visionary in the world of winemaking, established Tor Winery in 2001. Kenward grew up surrounded by the arts, with a father in Hollywood screenwriting and a mother who worked as a painter. After graduating high school in Southern California, Kenward was drafted in the Vietnam War in 1966, then relocated to Santa Barbara for his secondary education. Once graduated, Kenward opened a Jazz Club where he attracted top entertainers like Aretha Franklin, Tom Waits, and Steve Martin. Alongside his work at the club, Kenward began working part-time at a liquor store where he was introduced to pristine wines from Champagne and Bordeaux.
His passion for viticulture and winemaking then took a jump in 1977, when he arrived in Napa Valley and took a job as a tour guide at Beringer Vineyards. Within three years, Kenward was promoted to Vice President and played a pivotal role in integrating winemaking with marketing and defining reserve programs.
Kenward initiated culinary programs at Beringer, bringing together wine and food in a way that fostered community and showcased the region's wines. Collaborating with renowned chefs, including Julia Child and emerging talents like Gary Danko, Kenward played a pivotal role in establishing Napa Valley as an international wine and food destination.
After 20+ years in his role, Kenward began making wines at home from some of Beringer's greatest sites, eventually opening TOR Winery in 2001 with the help of his wife, Susan Kenward. The pair enlisted Thomas Rivers Brown of Schrader Cellars and his apprentice, Jeff Ames, as lead winemakers. The TOR Wine mission was simple from the beginning: craft small-production, single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay from some of Napa Valley's greatest vineyards.
Jeff Ames: Head Winemaker
Jeff Ames has been a key member of the TOR Winery team since its inception and represents an unusual breed of winemakers who learned primarily through hands-on experiences. Ames was colleagues with Thomas Rivers Brown, allowing hands-on experience in the vineyards and tasting rooms.
A purist at heart, Jeff focuses on allowing the wines to express their site foremost, avoiding a rigid winemaking style. His collaboration with TOR has resulted in world-class critical acclaim, with TOR's single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays consistently ranking among the best in Napa Valley.
TOR Napa Valley: Terroir and Vineyards
TOR Winery's connection to the land is profound, and they express their gratitude for the extraordinary vineyards that form the backbone of their portfolio. The list of esteemed vineyard partners reads like a who's who of Napa Valley's viticultural elite – Beckstoffer To Kalon, Beckstoffer Dr. Crane, Vine Hill Ranch Vineyard, Tierra Roja, Mast, Cimarossa, Melanson, Hyde, and Beresini.
Beckstoffer To Kalon
The legendary Beckstoffer To Kalon vineyard in Oakville holds a special place in TOR Winery's terroir narrative. Working with six blocks of its principal variety, TOR Winery goes beyond the ordinary by cultivating a couple of blocks of Cabernet Franc within this renowned vineyard. The result is wines that encapsulate the essence of To Kalon's terroir, showcasing the diversity and complexity that define this iconic site.
Beckstoffer Dr. Crane
Beckstoffer Dr. Crane was planted in 1858 by George B. Crane and replanted by Andy Beckstoffer in 1998. The vineyard is planted with clones of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc, set on gravelly loam soils shaped by old river beds. Consequently, the fruit grows to become structured and complex.
TOR farms from low-yielding Clone 6 Cabernet Sauvignon and a small parcel of Cabernet Franc, producing wines of immense depth and power.
Vine Hill Ranch
Vine Hill Ranch Vineyard was purchased by the Phillips family in 1959 and remains in family hands. TOR has worked with the Phillips family for years, farming from an acre of old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon set on rocky soils just south of Bond's Vecina vineyard.
The deep alluvial soils work beautifully for the Cabernet vines, with warm days tempered by coastal fog and mountain shadows, resulting in complex Cabernet in the final cuvée of the TOR Black Magic.
Hyde Vineyard
Larry Hyde, "the wise man of Carneros," has owned and operated the Hyde Vineyard for over four decades. As one of Napa's most prestigious sites, TOR was set on the waitlist for 14 years, eventually gaining access to the "Small Cluster Clone" of Wente Chardonnay. Further, TOR farms additional parcels of Calera and old shot-cluster Wente, forming the three selections of the backbone of TOR's Hyde bottles.
Beresini Vineyard
Beresini Vineyard was planted in 1988 by Larry Hyde, with the 4-acre site nicknamed "Steve's Chardonnay Garden." The site is fog-laden and contains well-drained creek bed soils, which combine to make tiny clusters. The ripened fruit then becomes remarkably intense, working beautifully to TOR's White Wines.
TOR Wine Portfolio
TOR White Wine
TOR Winery extends its terroir exploration to white wines, sourcing Chardonnays from prestigious sites such as Hyde and Beresini Vineyards in the Napa Valley section of the Carneros AVA. The Reserve Cuvée Susan is a carefully crafted blend where the proportions from each site are decided before aging, creating a wine that epitomizes the elegance and complexity of Carneros.
TOR Winery's commitment to diversity extends beyond Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. They offer an Oakville proprietary blend that artfully combines Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, showcasing their expertise in crafting distinctive blends. Additionally, the winery presents a selection of Rhône varietal wines, adding layers of complexity to their terroir portfolio.
TOR Black Magic
The TOR Black Magic is the winery's flagship label, crafted from just a single barrel of the best fruit. The wine is made in extremely limited quantities and is not made each year, making it one of the most collectible wines from Napa Valley. TOR Black Magic is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, displaying dark berry notes and immense intensity and freshness.
The 2018 TOR Black Magic has been noted as the greatest vintage, earning five different 100-point scores from major critics, becoming one of the very few wines in Napa Valley history to achieve this feat. Critics like Antonio Galloni labelled the wine "surreal," celebrating its fresh, bright, and exotic characteristics.
Browse Our In-Stock Selection of TOR Wines
TOR Winery stands as a testament to the enduring passion of Tor Kenward, a vintner at heart, whose contributions extend far beyond winemaking. From crafting exceptional wines to revolutionizing Napa Valley's culinary scene, TOR Winery remains a symbol of tradition, innovation, and community.
