Michael Baldacci of Baldacci Family Vineyards
Tell us about the sustainable and eco-friendly practices at the vineyard: At Baldacci Family Vineyards, sustainability and organics are at the forefront of their ethos. In the cellar, Baldacci ensures every effort to reduce water use and reuse wastewater, working with a system that diverts wastewater—for example, from washing out wine tanks—into the vineyards. This eliminates wastewater and alleviates the reliance on irrigation. Inside the gorgeous Estate House where guests come for the distinct wine tasting experiences, the hospitality team reduces their landfill impact by avoiding disposable products; they also actively recycle and compost through a local disposal service that provides balanced, organic compost for the local farming community. In the vineyards, work is done primarily by hand for pruning, suckering, removing fruit and harvesting, and goats and sheep are used to work the soil—all of this the keeps quality of the grapes high and significantly limits the use of gas-powered machines, such as tractors, in the vineyards. Looking at organics, the Baldacci Family Vineyards estate vines in Stags Leap District and Calistoga are on track to receive California Certified Organic Farmers certification this year, officiating the practices that have been underway for quite some time and that yield such incredible wines.
Tell us about the varietals you make: Baldacci Family Vineyards is a family-owned and -operated estate in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley. Winemaker Michael Baldacci specializes in crafting Cabernet Sauvignon from celebrated appellations. Their small-lot, single-appellation Cabernets hail from estate vineyards in Stags Leap District and Calistoga, and highly acclaimed vineyard sites in Oakville, Coombsville and Mt. Veeder. In addition to the estate’s coveted Cabernet Sauvignons, which drink exceptionally well in their youth and with age, Baldacci also crafts a small selection of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah from their estate vineyards in Los Carneros.
What are a few wines that readers should try right now?
2019 Black Label Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon