Diamond Creek Vineyards

Al Brounstein founded Diamond Creek Vineyards in 1968, establishing one of Napa Valley's most groundbreaking estates. Brounstein obtained Cabernet Sauvignon budwood from Bordeaux First Growth estates, brought through Mexico, to plant his vineyards. The first vintage was produced in 1972, and the current winery building was completed in 1981. Diamond Creek pioneered the site-specific, single-vineyard philosophy for Cabernet Sauvignon in California long before it became fashionable. Al Brounstein passed away in 2006, and co-founder Boots Brounstein in 2019. In 2020, the estate was acquired by Maison Louis Roederer's Rouzaud family.

• Founded 1968; first vintage 1972; winery completed 1981
• Budwood sourced from Bordeaux First Growth estates via Mexico
• Pioneered single-vineyard, terroir-driven Cabernet Sauvignon in California
• Acquired by Maison Louis Roederer (Rouzaud family) in 2020

The estate covers 32 hectares (79 acres) in total, with approximately 20 planted acres within the Diamond Mountain District AVA of Napa Valley. Elevations across the property range from 400 to 800 feet, with individual vineyards sitting between 530 and 610 feet. What makes Diamond Creek extraordinary is the diversity of soils packed into a small area: Volcanic Hill features volcanic ash from Mt. Konocti; Red Rock Terrace has rocky red soils high in iron; Gravelly Meadow contains pebbly, porous brown soils; and the tiny Lake Vineyard sits on rocky, well-drained gravelly soils. Remarkably, the three main vineyard soils converge within just 60 feet of each other beneath the winery.

• Four distinct soil types across approximately 20 planted acres
• Elevations range from 400 to 800 feet across the property
• Three main soils converge within 60 feet of each other below the winery
• Climate influenced by warm northeast air and cool western air through Mayacamas Canyon

Diamond Creek produces four single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons, each reflecting its distinct soil and microclimate. Volcanic Hill and Red Rock Terrace represent the warmer sites, while Gravelly Meadow and Lake are the cooler expressions. The Lake Vineyard wine is only produced in exceptional years, making it the rarest of the four. Grapes grown include Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Merlot. All vineyards are hand-harvested with harvest spanning up to six weeks to respect individual vineyard microclimates. Total production sits at approximately 1,500 cases per year, around 500 cases per vineyard. The same farming team has worked the vineyards for decades, following sustainable practices throughout.

• Four single-vineyard wines: Volcanic Hill, Red Rock Terrace, Gravelly Meadow, and Lake
• Lake Vineyard wine produced only in exceptional vintages
• Approximately 1,500 cases total annually; about 500 cases per vineyard
• Selective hand-harvesting over a six-week harvest window

Phil Steinschriber served as winemaker from 1991 to 2020, providing nearly three decades of continuity at the estate. Graham Wehmeier took over as winemaker in 2020, the same year Nicole Carter became President following the acquisition by Maison Louis Roederer. The long-tenured farming team has maintained the estate's sustainably farmed vineyards for decades, ensuring consistent viticulture across all four sites.

• Phil Steinschriber served as winemaker 1991 to 2020
• Graham Wehmeier is current winemaker (2020 to present)
• Nicole Carter serves as President (2020 to present)
• Same farming team has managed vineyards sustainably for decades