Sodhani Vineyards

Sodhani Vineyards is a 6 acre hillside vineyard located just north of the town of St. Helena; this property is owned by Arvind Sodhani and his wife Beverly. Arvind, built a successful career at Intel Corporation including as executive vice president of the company and also president of Intel Capital. He has enjoyed wine for many years – recalling he first became interested in wine while studying at college in London. He has since become a collector focusing on Bordeaux and Burgundy. And when the former custom crush powerhouse Crushpad was sourcing grapes for numerous clients, Arvind had three vintages made from To Kalon in Oakville, one of Napa’s most highly prized vineyards.

Beverly was introduced to wine through Arvind and has become passionate about their vineyard, their own wines and the world of wine, a passion that carried over into names of their dogs over the years including Cabernet, Bordeaux and Burgundy!).

The couple purchased this 11-acre property in the summer of 2013 after searching for some time; it also has special significance as they were married on site. They prefer hillside properties in Napa with even more specific requirements; land that is located on western slopes with vineyards that face east. As a result of exposure and location, their property receives less sunlight than sites at the same elevation on the opposite side of the valley. The sharply rising hills to the immediate west of their vineyard and the surrounding forest and tall trees help ensure this. This topography factors into the acid development of the grapes throughout the growing season. The vineyard becomes shaded earlier in the afternoon and therefore begins cooling before vineyards on more exposed western facing hillsides.

And this resulting exposure, reflective of their particular site is certainly noticeable in the brightness of the Sodhani wines.

The vineyard is well established with the current vines having been planted in 2000. We first visited this property many years ago with the previous owners and as a result, were already somewhat familiar with the vineyard and its layout. At that time, it was also planted to a few rows of Merlot – some of which was blended in their 2014 vintage but was budded over to Cabernet Sauvignon in 2015. The vineyard is planted to three clones of Cabernet Sauvignon including clone 7, 15, and 337. All three clones are used in each of their two wines.

The vineyard is farmed by hand – although the benefits of using an optical sorter are greatly appreciated once the grapes arrive at the winery. While the vineyard is fairly compact, they tend to harvest up to four times each year; this is based on clones and location within the vineyard – some of the grapes ripen earlier than others. Their picking crews harvest late at night – usually starting at 2am – ensuring the grapes are still cold when they come into the winery for their cold soak, pre-fermentation.

The entire property is 12 acres – they have secured the necessary permits to build a cave and eventually hope to make wine on site. Grapes from the vineyard were going to Harlan Estate but after the Sodhani’s decided to use some of the fruit for their own wine, they stopped selling to Harlan Estate.

This is prime St. Helena terroir; nearby neighbors include a Colgin owned vineyard and Vineyard 29. Both Arvind and Beverly have been blessed to have met a number of vintners in Napa over the years including several who have been extremely generous with sharing their own knowledge. Dr. Revana (another one of Napa Valley’s select Indian (India) owned wineries has been particularly helpful.

St. Helena was founded as an appellation in 1995. The appellation association’s historical roots date back to 1875 when the association was called the St. Helena Viticultural Club. A wide range of microclimates exist within the appellation including the narrowest part of the valley which tends to receive a fair amount of wine. This appellation association is one of the strongest associations in the valley with over 60 winery and grower members. Charles Krug, the oldest winery within Napa Valley is within the appellation. The town of St. Helena is the only community within its borders.

Arvind and Beverly interviewed some of Napa Valley’s most highly sought after winemakers; ultimately, they settled on hiring Thomas Brown based on his interest in preserving the terroir of their particular vineyard and a having palate similar to Arvinds. He has made each vintage since their 2013 inaugural release.

Current winemaker, Russell Bevan
Russell has a led a varied life – born in Ukiah, CA he earned his Master’s in Philosophy from Gonzaga University, worked in Minneapolis selling dental equipment, wrote a syndicated column which was published in the Wine Spectator and then became a self-taught winemaker with his first vintage in 2005.

As he became more passionate about wine, in 1998 he began frequenting the online public wine forums on the Wine Spectator’s website. Being a sponge and building his knowledge rather quickly, he soon became a sought-after resource on the internet for wine advice and bottle recommendations. After making his first trip to Napa Valley in 1996 Russell returned numerous times, often hosting other wine enthusiasts for dinners or winemaker events.

Russell learned early on about one significant requirement for all vineyards he works with: he must maintain full control of the farming practices. Russell has his own style; is wines are sturdy and concentrated yet despite these powerful attributes are remarkably approachable in their youth. One of Russell’s hallmark stylistic influences on wine is texture – how he deftly manages tannins while creating wines that feature a seamless quality, a harmonious integration between fruit and firm, yet supple tannins.

Former winemaker, Thomas Brown
Busy winemaker Thomas Brown made the Sodhani wines from 2013 through 2019. Before he was hired, Rick had spoken to him on the phone a number of times. Trying to arrange an in-person meeting, Rick told Thomas it would have to wait until he returned from his trip to Paris. As it turns out, Thomas was also in Paris at the same time, and they ended up meeting for the first time at a cafe along the Champs-Élysées.

Thomas is one of the busiest wine makers in the Napa Valley. Several producers have showed us lists of all the Napa brands that he consults for and or provides direct winemaking services; this is an extensive list. He is from South Carolina and developed an interest in wine while attending the University of Virginia where his major was not wine related (he studied English and Economics).

He moved to the Napa Valley in 1996 and took a job at All Seasons Bistro in Calistoga; this restaurant was known for their California cuisine, wine selection and long time in business – but unfortunately permanently closed in 2020. While there, Thomas met winemaker Ehren Jordan who was working for Larry Turley at the time of Turley Wine Cellars. Thomas took a job with Ehren in the cellar at Turley in 1997 – spent several years there before beginning his own career and starting to consult for various clients, some of which were clients that Ehren was already working with.

And within only 10 years of making wine in the Napa Valley Thomas received two 100-point scores from Robert Parker – regardless of what your perception is of scores, creating several wines within a short period of time that receive 100 points from Parker was a watershed moment in Thomas’s consulting career.

Today Thomas is highly sought after for his winemaking services, experience and access to premium area vineyards. And while he was once the student, over the years he has become the teacher. We have met with a number of winemakers who worked under Thomas – and consider him one of their mentors. These are winemakers who have gone on to establish their own brands or consult for other Napa based brands.

Select Wines
Sodhani produces two wines from their property each year, the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (white label) and the Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (red label). The differences between the two bottlings are distinctive and noteworthy. The Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted to be more fruit forward and approachable upon release and perhaps is more of a ‘finessed’ or dare we say, feminine bottling. The Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, regardless of vintage is built to be a layered and complex expression of the variety, crafted to be highly cellar worthy with the proper cellar care. Both wines are aged in 100% new French oak barrels for 20 months.

Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2018 Sodhani Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is dark ruby in color; the aromatics offer darker fruits but with an elegant ripeness. Shows aromas of blackberry and dark olive; one can smell dust on the bouquet. Balanced nicely for such a young wine – includes flavors of dark cherry and blackberry. Round, dark and slightly chalky tannins anchor a long finish which lingers with bright acidity, red toned fruits and just a hint of cedar box.

The 2014 Sodhani Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. This wine is deep ruby in color; the bouquet offers bright fruit aromatics including blackberry and raspberry along with notes of tobacco spice and dark cocoa powder. The wine is exceptionally approachable at such a young age. Somewhat dusty fine-grained tannins anchor a pleasing and smooth finish. Drinks very well young, representative as a whole, of the texture we noted from red wines from this ‘approachable’ vintage in Napa Valley.

The 2013 Sodhani Estate Cabernet Sauvignon shows aromas of blackberry, spicy plum (with some notes of pepper) along with more subtle aromas of toasted cedar. As it opens it reveals a hint of browned sugar. Fairly approachable on the palate it delivers an intensity of flavor including somewhat spicy dark plum. Lingers with notes of dust along with finely shaped and slightly chewy tannins. This vintage in particular, especially compared to the 2014 vintage in Napa Valley tended to produce more robust textured wines. While the level of tannins is perhaps higher, they are managed quite well. This is their inaugural vintage.

Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2018 Sodhani Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is always made from a barrel selection of the best lots of wine each year. And the reserve wine tends to be weighted towards Cabernet Sauvignon clone 7. Offers an intriguing diversity of aromatics including blackberry, boysenberry, sandalwood, leather and dry soil. The bouquet is ripe yet shows an aromatic restraint if you will – an elegance. As it opens, offers some darker chocolate notes and hints of vanilla. The expression of the fruit is showcased both on the bouquet and palate rather than any overt oak complements. Noticeable is the wine’s brightness, its lingering lively acidity and the density of tannins (rounded in texture rather than showing a significant grip). A beautiful showing.

The 2014 Sodhani Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon initially shows subtle notes of dry gravel on the bouquet – as it opens offers dark fruit aromatics including plum and blackberry. There is an elegant yet savory component to the bouquet. This wine is noticeably dark – inky black dark purple in color (visually perhaps could almost be mistaken for a Petite Sirah). A density of fruit and structure show on the palate with concentrated (but not course), long lasting tannins. Somewhat chewy mid palate. Lingering notes of blackberry and espresso.

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2020 was a challenging year in Napa VAlley for a number of reasons, but especially due to the devastating effects of the Glass Fire. This first burned numerous properties and destroyed or severely damaged about 35 wineries from St. Helena to Calistoga. Sodhani was in the path of the fires. We remember deliver water in large plastic totes via a flatbed truck to one of their neighbors, AXR Winery. As a result of the smoke taint, Sodhani did not produce any wines in 2020. This was the worst smoke we have ever experiences, even worse than the 2017 Tubbs Fire. For reference, for several days it was so dark in the middle of the day, that it felt like midnight on a moonless night.

The elephant on the label with its upright trunk represents good fortune and good luck. It is also a nod to Arvind’s heritage. And if one looks very closely one can see the elephant is firmly grasping a small bunch of grapes in its trunk.

The wines are selectively distributed in Napa Valley including at Solage in Calistoga, Brasswood Restaurant and ACME wine shop, both in St. Helena and at two extremely fine establishments in the San Francisco Bay Area; the Plumed Horse in Saratoga (with its fantastic wine list) and the three Michelin-starred Saison in San Francisco. And in a very unique partnership, One Hope Foundation the charitable arm of Napa Valley’s One Hope Winery may also sell select vintages. Or one can purchase direct by becoming a member of the Sodhani Wine Society. For more information, visit: www.sodhanivineyards.com