FARELLA is a family-owned vineyard and winery in the heart of the Coombsville-Napa Valley appellation. Founded in 1977, the first wines produced in 1985.
Having planted the first Cabernet Sauvignon vines in the Coombsville-Napa valley AVA, it is also the home of the first Cabernet wine produced in the AVA.
“We strive to create age-worthy wines that reflect the nuance and character of our AVA, while emphasizing balance to ensure their place at the dinner table.”
Soils/Geography. The hillside vineyard is in the heart of the Coombsville-Napa Valley AVA. It is set against the Vaca Mountains just east of the town of Napa with vineyard elevations ranging between 300 and 500 feet. It includes 26 acres of vines originally planted in 1979 to Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The soil at the top is a stony loam which dovetails into volcanic ash and gravelly loam at the base of the vineyard. There are also 30 acres set aside as untouched oak woodland on the property which partially surrounds the winery.
Farming/Sustainability. With an effort to keep the property as natural as possible, the vineyard has been farmed sustainably for decades with an effort to reduce erosion and soil compaction. Most of the vineyard is no-till, meaning the vine rows are only mowed in an effort to minimize inputs and preserve soil health. Much is farmed organically with the exception being the steep, rocky hillside terraces that have special requirements. The property is certified “Napa Green” and “Fish Friendly Farming.”
Production/Grower for Others. Twenty-five percent of the available estate fruit is crushed at the Farella winery where, from 1985 until 1990, only 300 cases were produced each year. A total of 1800 cases are now made at Farella Vineyard divided between Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc and Malbec. The majority of the grapes had been sold to Realm Cellars, Far Niente, Lail, Merryvale, Agharta (Wind Gap), Di Costanzo, Zeitgeist, Rudius, Kelly Fleming, Keenan, Modus Operandi, Beau Vigne, Ziata and Red Mare. In years past, the biggest buyers were Robert Mondavi/Opus One and Pahlmeyer. Changes came in 2018 when Farella and Realm Cellars teamed up in the vineyard and continue with a long term arrangement moving forward. The Farella wines, winery and team continue unchanged at the Farella Vineyard estate in the heart of the Coombsville-Napa Valley AVA."~ Farella Family Vineyards
