The Farella Estate, nestled within the cooler Coombsville region of Napa Valley, has served as a cornerstone for our wines. Spanning over a decade, the vertical tasting of these wines reveals not only the evolution of vineyard management and winemaking techniques but also the character and adaptability of this extraordinary site.

We started purchasing fruit from the Farella family back in 2003. It was always a beautiful site, but the coolness of the region combined with the row orientation sometimes hindered the ripening process. In 2018 we took over the farming when Farella Vineyard became our second estate vineyard and began implementing changes to unlock the vineyard’s full potential. First, we added cross arms to the trellis in 2018—a pivotal adjustment that contributed to more consistent ripening. Another key development was the focus on specific blocks within the vineyard. Blocks 7 and 8, affectionately referred to as "The Rock Pile," emerged as the core blocks, producing fruit that embodies the essence of Farella.

Tasting through these wines, we found that the earlier years produced a leaner style of wine, but these wines have evolved beautifully over time, with some of the wines that were more reserved upon release now ready for the limelight. Each vintage tells a story—of challenges, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence—all while maintaining the hallmark traits of Farella: purity of fruit, savory depth, a sprinkling of herbal and spice notes, wrapped in grainy but not astringent tannins.

Tasting date: April 1, 2025

2012: A Remarkable Beginning
The 2012 Farella is a wine of remarkable balance and brightness. Red and black fruit, black licorice, hints of cedar and pine and fresh earth. Drink now.

2013: Discovering New Layers
The 2013 vintage has plenty of brightness and juiciness, with more density than the 2012. Black cherry takes center stage, enhanced by notes of vanilla, incense, and exotic spices. This wine is drinking beautifully now, and it will be fascinating to see what new layers emerge as it further develops.

2014: A Standout
Dark and moody, with aromas of ripple black cherry, mint chocolate, espresso bean and fresh cut grass – an unusual and intriguing combination. Creamy, round and complex, the 2014 is a standout that offers plenty of pleasure now and can continue to evolve in the years to come.

2015: The Solar Vintage
The 2015 vintage reflects the warmth of a solar vintage, showcasing a richer fruit profile. This wine also includes more Merlot than usual, adding to its softness. Drink now to enjoy the beautiful fruit, as mother nature intended!

2016: In a Perfect Spot
Dense and round with gorgeous red and black fruit, dark spice, mint chocolate and forest floor. This is an energetic wine with great structure and balance. It’s in a perfect spot now but will continue to age gracefully.

2017 Vintage
We did not produce a 2017 vintage due to wildfires.

2018: A Big Personality
This is a wine with big personality. Dense, concentrated and layered with complex notes of dark plum, cherry, cigar and fresh cut grass that crescendos on the palate. Give this wine plenty of air with a rigorous decant if you want to drink it now.

2019: The Best of Both Worlds
This vintage produced a more approachable and inviting wine even in its youth. Aromas of bright red fruit, graphite, fresh herbs and earthiness explode into a mouthwatering juiciness on the palate. This wine is delicious now but will age for many years to come.

2020 Vintage
We did not produce any red wines in 2020.

2021: Have Patience
Rich, round, dense and complex, this wine is very well built with great energy and brightness. Filled with delicious juicy red and black fruit, vanilla, baking spices, and dark chocolate, there is great flavor intensity here. This wine is still very early in its development and needs time to open up.

2022: Ready to Party
Bright and energetic, this wine is light on its feet and ready to party. Inviting notes of juicy red fruit, cherry cola, fresh cut herbs and spice, this vintage is delicious right out of the gate and will age elegantly for many years.

2023: Soulful Precision
Quiet intensity—structured, soulful, a little wild around the edges. Red fruit, spice, and loamy earth reflect its Coombsville roots, with an old-world texture and energy from a slow, steady season.

To learn more about the label artwork, visit Farella Estate: Behind the Label, click here.