Blankiet Estate
How to say it
A cult Napa Valley producer crafting Bordeaux-style blends of extraordinary power and elegance from volcanic soils in the Mayacamas foothills above Yountville.
Blankiet Estate is a cult Napa Valley producer founded in 1996, farming 6.5 hectares of volcanic soils above Yountville. The estate produces roughly 3,000 cases annually, including Mythicvs, a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that has earned multiple perfect 100-point scores from major critics. Wines are aged in 100% new French oak for two years and bottled without fining or filtration.
- Founded in 1996 by Claude and Katherine Blankiet on land previously part of Domaine Chandon's holdings
- Located on the western foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains overlooking Yountville
- Vineyard developed by renowned viticulturist David Abreu; current winemaker is Graeme MacDonald, a fourth-generation Napa Valley winemaker
- 6.5 hectares (16 acres) planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Merlot
- Mythicvs (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) has received multiple perfect 100-point scores from major critics
- Production limited to approximately 3,000 cases annually; wines bottled without fining or filtration
- Organic farming practices in use across the estate
History and Origins
Claude and Katherine Blankiet established the estate in 1996 on property that had previously been part of Domaine Chandon's Napa Valley holdings. The site sits on the western foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains, overlooking the town of Yountville. From the outset, the Blankiets enlisted David Abreu, one of Napa Valley's most celebrated viticulturists, to develop the vineyard. Claude Blankiet, who introduced stonewashing to America and developed an innovative vineyard misting system, brought the same inventive spirit to the estate's viticulture.
- Founded 1996 by Claude and Katherine Blankiet
- Property formerly part of Domaine Chandon's holdings
- Vineyard development led by viticulturist David Abreu
- Claude Blankiet is credited with introducing stonewashing to the United States
Terroir and Vineyard
The 6.5-hectare (16-acre) Paradise Hills Vineyard is defined by a striking mosaic of soils and microclimates spread across volcanic knolls. Soils include volcanic ash over deeply fractured Andesite rock, eroded Basalt covered with iron-rich red clay, and gravelly-clay alluvial deposits. This diversity of terroir, combined with varied microclimates across the site, gives the winemaking team distinct parcels to work with when crafting each of the estate's wines.
- Three distinct soil types: volcanic ash over Andesite, eroded Basalt with iron-rich red clay, and gravelly-clay alluvial soils
- Varied microclimates across volcanic knolls create a complex mosaic of terroir
- Organic farming practices implemented across the estate
- Alternate name for the vineyard: Paradise Hills Vineyard
Wines and Winemaking
Blankiet Estate produces three flagship wines: Mythicvs, a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon; Rive Droite, a Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Franc; and the Estate Paradise Hills Proprietary Red blend. All wines are aged for two years in 100% new French oak barrels in underground caves and are bottled without fining or filtration. Graeme MacDonald, a fourth-generation Napa Valley winemaker, oversees production. Total output is limited to approximately 3,000 cases per year, firmly placing Blankiet in the cult wine category.
- Mythicvs: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, multiple perfect 100-point scores from major critics
- Rive Droite: Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Franc, a nod to Right Bank Bordeaux
- Estate Paradise Hills Proprietary Red: the Bordeaux-style blend
- Aged two years in 100% new French oak; bottled without fining or filtration
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Get the DeckCritical Standing
Blankiet Estate occupies a place among Napa Valley's most acclaimed cult producers. The Mythicvs bottling has received multiple perfect 100-point scores from major critics, a record that cements the estate's reputation alongside the Valley's most celebrated names. Limited production of around 3,000 cases annually, combined with organic farming and uncompromising winemaking, drives strong collector demand.
- Classified as a cult wine producer of Napa Valley
- Mythicvs: multiple 100-point scores from major critics
- Approximately 3,000 cases produced annually
- Wines unfined and unfiltered for maximum expression of terroir
Blankiet Estate wines combine power with elegance, reflecting the volcanic and iron-rich soils of the Mayacamas foothills. Mythicvs delivers concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon fruit with structure from two years in new French oak, while Rive Droite showcases the plush, supple character of Merlot-dominant blends in the Right Bank tradition.
- Blankiet Estate Mythicvs Cabernet Sauvignon$350+100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Paradise Hills Vineyard; multiple 100-point scores from major critics.Find →
- Blankiet Estate Rive Droite$250+Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Franc, inspired by Right Bank Bordeaux, aged two years in 100% new French oak.Find →
- Blankiet Estate Paradise Hills Proprietary Red$200+Bordeaux-style blend from volcanic Mayacamas foothill soils; unfined and unfiltered.Find →
- Founded 1996; located on western foothills of Mayacamas Mountains above Yountville, formerly part of Domaine Chandon holdings
- Soils: volcanic ash over Andesite, eroded Basalt with iron-rich red clay, and gravelly-clay alluvial mix across 6.5 hectares
- Flagship wines: Mythicvs (100% Cabernet Sauvignon), Rive Droite (Merlot with a touch of Cabernet Franc), Estate Paradise Hills Proprietary Red
- Mythicvs earned multiple perfect 100-point scores from major critics; production limited to ~3,000 cases
- Winemaking: 100% new French oak, two years aging in underground caves, bottled without fining or filtration; organic farming