White Rabbit Vineyard. Perched on the upper slopes of Atlas Peak, a visit to this property is like being transported back in time. There are far less vineyards here than the valley floor, traffic is primarily residents and or vineyard workers, and the connection to the land and spectacular vistas always tugs us, especially when it is time to leave. Located more than 30 minutes from downtown Napa, Atlas Peak Road rises quickly above the valley (unless you are on a bicycle), winding through the rocky volcanic slopes that this appellation is known for. It passes by the pet cemetery, always a reference point on the mountain, before eventually reaching Foss Valley and it most prominent property, the nearly 1,200 acre Circle R Ranch. Then its a short ‘stair-step’ climb up another several hundred vertical feet over another 1.5 miles until the road’s incline decreases.
White Rabbit Vineyard is planted to 12.5 acres of clone 181 Merlot; the vines were planted in 2004. In early 2025 several of the White Rabbit partners and others purchased 165 acres from a neighboring parcel. Collectively, both parcels total 195 acres and are a part of the Atlas Reserve Collection. This adjoining parcel used to be owned by Fred Oliai of Alta Wines; it was already planted to 11 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon. In the early summer of 2025 another 11 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon were planted. Full planted, both properties will feature approximately 35 acres of vines. The vineyard is managed by T & M Agricultural Services.
These vineyards boast arguably one of Napa Valley’s best views to the east from this appellation. On a clear winter or spring day one can easily see the snowcapped Sierra Nevada mountains far in the distance (about a 3.5-hour drive from the property). At night the lights of Sacramento can be seen in the central valley, beyond the coastal foothills and looking further to the south, one has excellent views of another part of the central valley, near Vacaville, with numerous wind machines on the furthest hills sometimes seen in the distance. The property generally receives some snow each winter. Part of the Atlas Reserve property borders the 2,300-acre Walt Ranch, permanently part of the Land Trust of Napa County.
Winemaker Grant Long, who the partners affectionally refer to as, Mr. 150%, is one of the four owners of White Rabbit Vineyard; he and his winemaking team at Reverie II craft the White Rabbit wines. And it was Grant who originally connected the four families together with the intent to purchase property on Atlas Peak and start a wine brand. Grant was already familiar with the property having purchased grapes from its vineyard starting in 2017.
And despite the devastation on Atlas Peak from the fires in October 2017 including significantly burning through their property, the vines were spared, although some of their irrigation system burned. Remarkably the home on site was not damaged either, despite burning right to its edge and destroying other homes nearby.
The partners purchased the 30-acre White Rabbit Vineyard in January 2024. The property was previously home to JACK Wines with the grapes being sold to several wineries. Winery or vineyard neighbors include Kongsgaard (the third highest vineyard in Napa Valley and probably the highest physical winery), Au Sommet and Elan Vineyards. This property features a tremendous variation in both elevation and aspect ranging in elevation from approximately 1,560 feet to 2,050 feet.
During our visits to this part of Atlas Peak, we have noticed the fog often begins to dissipate in the morning in Foss Valley especially in spring and summer. And as you make the final stair-step climb up to the vineyard, one breaks out of the fog into the sunshine. The temperature fluctuation between the city of Napa and parts of this vineyard can be dramatic, often differing 10-15 degrees on days with Napa still in fog and in the low 50s while the vineyard in the mid to upper 60s and sunny.
And these microclimates are also felt on their own property; certain parts of the property are influenced by the cooling effects of fog and wind while other parts are different elevation are more protected and warmer. Historically fully ripening vineyards on these upper elevations on Atlas Peak have been of concern. Bud break is generally several weeks behind the valley floor but then catches up later in spring.
Atlas Peak is known for its intensity of rock including a lava cap over some of the appellation. But much of the soils here are deep and devoid of rocks. In fact rocks used to build retaining walls on part of their Atlas Reserve property were brought in from Kongsgaard Winery when their vineyards were being developed.
Grapes from White Rabbit Vineyard have been or are being sold to HALL Winery, Pine Ridge, Pride Mountain, Duckhorn and to Aonair. At more than 2 decades old, the vines are in excellent health and still producing well. One block even produced 9 tons per acre in 2024.
The four founding partners all met through their children at the local Montessori school in the city of Napa. And all were on the Northstar Ski and Snowboard Teams at Northstar Ski Resort near Lake Tahoe. In 2022 all the partners had the opportunity to ski the hidden and rarely open White Rabbit tree-lined run on the backside of Northstar. Their transverse of this run together was a memorable day at Northstar. And in the spirit of White Rabbit nomenclature, White Rabbit Ramen & Donut used to be located at Northstar Resort but is permanently closed.
Grant bottled about 30 cases of the 2021 vintage from White Rabbit Vineyard as a surprise and gave it to the partners. They shared this wine with friends, donated some to a charity and gave away bottles to others in the industry. Everyone agreed on its high quality and encouraged the partners to bottle it commercially. So they did, starting with the 2022 vintage. This is one of the smallest producers in all of Napa Valley; typical annual production is only about 50 cases. The partners want to keep the project small and fun and use it as a vehicle to meet other interesting wine enthusiasts. If production increases, it won’t be by much, perhaps by another 50 or 100 cases each year.
In addition to the 2021 bottling, Grant had wine from the vineyard already in barrel from the 2022 and 2023 vintages. 2022 was their inaugural vintage; it was bottled simultaneously with the 2023. The White Rabbit Merlot is grown and crafted to be drinkable up front, a wine with both body, but also balance. And importantly, represent their terroir.
The partners are all involved in different capacities, with Brandt Mori leading the operations, especially helping oversee vineyard development. Another partner Ryan Stiefvater is from a third generation farming family, growing pistachios in the southern San Joaquin Valley including near Buttonwillow, Corcoran and Madera. The connection to this property and its farming reminds him of his family’s ties to their own land. Long time Napan’s, both Brandt and Ryan were already familiar with this part of Atlas Peak prior to their acquisition of the property; Brandt remembers riding his bike past the property in the past and one of Ryan’s friend’s, Alex Kongsgaard is from neighboring Kongsgaard Winery.
Select Wines
The 2023 White Rabbit Merlot is 100% varietal; this wine is is deep ruby and nearly opaque with an amaranthine rim. Layered is the first word we used to describe its aromatic cadence. The compelling and elegant bouquet includes dark plum, boysenberry, dark raspberry, suede, old baseball mitt leather, old cedar box, rose petals, smoked meats, a garigue character, white sage, baker’s chocolate, dark cocoa powder, espresso, nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves. Let this wine evolve; you will continue to be richly rewarded. The palate is fully focused on its fruit with flavors more red fruited than dark fruited including raspberry, Santa Rosa plum, cherry, blackberry, Persian mulberry and boysenberry, a berry we thoroughly enjoy every late spring from a bush in our backyard and a fruit we always associate with freshness, including in wine. The finish lingers with a light note of dried herbs including sage. The tannins are ripe, rounded and resolved and are already fully integrated seamlessly into the finish. Medium+ acidity. This is a ripe yet simultaneously bright bottling; it is textured, layered and already highly approachable in its youth. We immediatley thought of pairing this with some sort of wild game, perhaps venison, wild rabbit or fowl.
The 2024 White Rabbit Merlot was tasted from a barrel sample about 9 months post vintage. This wine is deep ruby and opaque with an amaranthine rim. The nose smells lively, bright, floral and blue and purple fruited. Its scents include blueberry, raspberry, dark plum, boysenberry, violets, lilacs and lavender. And there is a minerally component, including chalk/chalkboard. And as it opens, it expresses a layer of mocha and cocoa powder. But there is an aromatic consistency between both vintage especially as this wine opens and sheds some of its youthful characteristics. It has a sense of place. Ripe but also bright, its flavors include red plum, boysenberry, blackberry and dark plum. It is more savory at this age then the 2023 bottling; the finish lingers with a light note of dark pepper, cardamom, sage, chalk, and a ferrous/minerally character. The tannins are lightly grainy and are already feeling comfortable on the finish.
—
White Rabbit Vineyard has partnered with the Northstar Team Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to introducing kids to skiing, providing scholarships, coaching assistance and financial aid. Five percent of the proceeds from wine sales are donated to this foundation. The wines are sold primarily direct through their website and word of mouth. In northern California the wines are selectively distributed including at the members-only Martis Camp near Northstar (where one can see the White Rabbit ski run from their deck) and at Shafer’s Camp, also at Northstar. In Napa Valley the wines are available at Rutherford Grill. For more information and to join their allocation list for access to new releases, visit: www.whiterabbitwine.com.
The following aerial photographs were taken by ME Creative Napa
Leave a Reply