Bryant Family Vineyard is a

California wine California wine production has a rich viticulture history since 1680 when Spanish Jesuit missionaries planted ''Vitis vinifera'' vines native to the Mediterranean region in their established missions to produce wine for religious services. I ...

estate in the

Napa Valley Napa Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Napa County in California's Wine Country. It was established by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) on January 27, 1981. Napa Valley is considered one of the premier ...

, founded by businessman Donald L. Bryant Jr. and his ex-wife, Barbara Bryant. Known for their 100% Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon wines grown on their Pritchard Hill estate, Bryant Estate was one of the original cult wines to emerge during the early 1990s, along with wineries such as Screaming Eagle and Harlan Estate. Low production levelsand high demand for the wines have driven prices to the upper echelon of wines produced in the United States. As of 2009, Bryant Estate produces two additional labels, "Bettina" and "DB4". Bettina is a parallel wine to Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet, made of grapes purchased from some of viticulturist David Abreu's vineyard sites. DB4 is a

second wine Second wine or second label (French: ''Second vin'') is a term commonly associated with Bordeaux wine to refer to a second label wine made from '' cuvee'' not selected for use in the ''Grand vin'' or first label. In some cases a third wine or ev ...

, made of declassified wine from both Bettina and Bryant Family Vineyard labels.

History

In 1985, Bryant purchased the current site of the vineyard and winery with the intention of building a home. After learning that the site held excellent potential for grape growing, the decision was made to plant a vineyard at the location. The first vintage was released in 1992 with winemaker

Helen Turley Helen Turley is a pioneering American winemaker and wine consultant. She is known for bringing several Californian cult wines to the public awareness, and as the owner of a boutique winery, Marcassin Vineyard. She is the recipient of several pre ...

at the helm. Through the 1990s, the wines became part of the

cult wine Cult wines are wines for which dedicated groups of committed enthusiasts will pay large sums of money. Cult wines are often seen as trophy wines to be collected or as investment wine to be held rather than consumed. Because price is often seen ...

phenomenon, propelling Bryant Family Vineyard into

ry status along with a number of other Napa Valley wineries, driving up prices and demand. The 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 wines scored 97, 98, 99, 99 and 100 points, respectively, on Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, thus solidifying the winery's status as one of the top Cabernet Sauvignon producers in the United States. Critic Robert Parker Jr., has remarked about Bryant Estate, "The wine from this hillside vineyard near Napa's Pritchard Hill, has already become mythical (1992 was the debut vintage). This is a wine of world-class quality, and is certainly as complete and potentially complex as any first-growth Bordeaux...It is not too much to suggest that in the future, Bryant's Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon might well be one of the wines that redefines greatness in Cabernet Sauvignon." Critic

Antonio Galloni Antonio Galloni is an American wine critic. He is the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Vinous for which he is also the lead critic covering the wines of Bordeaux, California, Italy, and Champagne. From 2006 to 2013, Galloni was a wine ...

, who has taken over Robert Parker Jr.'s role in scoring California wines for the Wine Advocate as of 2011, has stated, "Bryant is without question one of the most spectacular vineyards in Napa Valley. I don’t see any reason why the Cabernets that emerge from this property shouldn't be among the top 5-10 wines in the valley each and every year".

Production

Bryant Estate overlooks Lake Hennessey and has approximately 13 acres under vine, all planted to 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine itself is called "Bryant Family Vineyard." Bettina wine is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and

Petit Verdot Petit Verdot is a variety of red wine grape, principally used in classic Bordeaux blends. It ripens much later than the other varieties in Bordeaux, often too late, so it fell out of favour in its home region. When it does ripen it adds tannin, ...

from some of David Abreu's vineyards. DB4 is the

for Bryant Family, consisting of declassified wine from Bryant Family Vineyard and Bettina.

References

{{Authority control Wineries in Napa Valley Companies established in 1986 1986 establishments in California