Dana Estates is located at the base of the Mayacamas Mountain range in Napa Valley, California. The winery was founded in 1883 by H.W. Helms, a German winegrower. For a short period, the estate was owned by the Livingston family. Today, Dana Estate is owned by South Korean businessman Hi Sang Lee. In Sanskrit, a religious language that originated in India, the name Dana stands for "the spirit of generosity." This motto is about expressing appreciation to those who have worked the land before us and preserved the old traditions while laying a new foundation for the next generation.
At the time of the purchase, in 1883, the estate was largely dilapidated. Several architects were hired to bring the estate back to life. After a lengthy renovation, Dana Estate has turned into a state-of-the-art winery. The cellar consists of three vinification rooms. Each vineyard has its own room. Mr. Lee has three different wines produced here from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Helms vintage matures in custom made barrels. The Helms plot is located on a slightly sloping hill, which ensures optimal drainage of the soil. This cuvée is classic with lots of dark fruit, spices and subtle wood influences.
The Hershey Vineyard is rocky, and has a moderately cool climate. This results in wines with fresh fruit and good acidity. Hershey is fermented and aged in French barriques of various sizes.
Lotus Vineyard is located 365 meters above sea level. Despite its height, this is Dana Estate's warmest vineyard. The soil is characterized by a rocky structure, which makes for a low yield of the vines. The wines made from the Lotus vineyard have the most body of all three wines.
The wines are produced in limited editions and this will stay this way for the time being. This way, the quality is guaranteed. All three wines from Dana Estates are great examples of complex and elegant Cabernet Sauvignons.
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