Alejandro Bulgheroni

A late start, then a very fast one

Alejandro Bulgheroni did not grow up in the wine industry. His father founded the Argentine oil and gas company “Bridas” in 1948, and Alejandro, together with his older brother Carlos, spent several decades developing that business. His connection to wine began much later. The turning point came at a hill in Garzón (Uruguay), where he had originally planned to install wind turbines. On the advice of Carlos Pulenta and the Tuscan winemaker Alberto Antonini, he planted grapes on that plot instead. This led to the creation of “Bodega Garzón.” After selling half of his shares in the company “Bridas” in 2010, Bulgheroni set out in pursuit of wines that most collectors are unable to acquire even in a lifetime. He then acquired wineries one after another in Argentina, Italy, France, Australia, and California. In the second half of the 2010s, he managed more than 12 wineries on four continents, bringing in Michel Rolland and Philippe Melka as consultants for his key projects.

In 2016, he entered the Napa market. Bulgheroni purchased a 15-acre parcel from Bill Harlan, located at 500 Meadowood Lane in St. Helena. This building was previously used as the “Founders’ Room” at “The Napa Valley Reserve.” The property itself has an even richer history. It is part of the Spanish land grant “Rancho Carne Humana,” granted to Edward Turner Bale in 1841, and a 13-acre portion of it was later sold in 1860 to blacksmith John Howell, after whom Howell Mountain was named. Jim and Nena Barnett first planted grapes here in 1975, but initially, following Ric Forman’s advice, they grew Pinot Noir. The Bulgheronis restored the old stone winery, replanted the vineyard, and rebuilt the estate, focusing on a single vision, Cabernet Sauvignon, grown on these hilly lands by a small group of trusted winegrowers. The brand name was later changed to “Lithology.”

Meadowood Lane and the Beckstoffer connection

The estate owned vineyards are located on Meadowood Lane in St. Helena, at the foot of Howell Mountain, in an area bordering the Vaca Range. The 15-acre property is divided into two sections: the vineyards are planted in the upper and lower parts around the stone winery, respectively. Most of the property is steeply sloped and rocky. When Mr. Bulgheroni acquired the land, Cabernet Sauvignon was already being grown on an area of about 2 acres. New plots were subsequently added, and there are plans to develop another plot at the highest elevation, as well as a cave for barrel storage.

In addition to its own vineyards, “Lithology” sources grapes from three of Napa’s most popular vineyards, all of which are managed by Andy Beckstoffer, including the “To Kalon” in Oakville: one of the pioneers of Cabernet production in Napa, the “Dr. Crane” in St. Helena, known for its rich red wines with a robust structure and its own vineyard on Meadowood Lane. It is precisely because of these vineyards, managed by Mr. Beckstoffer, that Lithology is able to produce both Cabernet Sauvignon from “To Kalon” and Cabernet Franc from “Dr. Crane” in the same vintage. The vineyards are located in different parts of the valley, the geology varies, and, accordingly, the wines turn out differently.

Why they called it Lithology

Lithology is the science of rocks. This name is not just for show. The estate’s vineyards are situated on an extremely thin layer of topsoil, no more than 1 foot deep, beneath which lie igneous rocks and weathered volcanic ash. Drainage here is excellent, and the soil is rich in minerals. One could say that these are ideal conditions for growing Cabernet Sauvignon with a robust character on hilly terrain.

The Vaca Mountain Range shields these vineyards from the wind, while the influence of Howell Mountain imparts firm tannins and sufficient acidity for aging to the wine. At the same time, the “To Kalon” and “Dr. Crane” vineyards, located at the bottom of the valley, have completely different characteristics. They are distinguished by deeper alluvial soils, a warmer location, and a rounder flavor. Although it is the same grape variety, its expression varies significantly. This estate is certified organic by CCOF.

What is planted

Two grape varieties, both from the Bordeaux family, intended for red wine production:

• Cabernet Sauvignon: the main variety in this series, the only variety that was grown on the original estate
• Cabernet Franc: from the Beckstoffer Dr. Crane plot

Melka and Rolland in the cellar

Philippe Melka oversees the winemaking process, while Michel Rolland serves as a consultant. This duo is considered one of the strongest in the world, and in Napa, it embodies a distinctive style: mature, refined, with a solid structure, and designed for long-term aging. The restored stone winery on Meadowood Lane was rebuilt using equipment specifically designed for the “Lithology” line, with an emphasis on small-batch production rather than mass production.

This approach allows the individual character of each vineyard to shine through. Since the grapes from each of Beckstoffer’s plots are processed and bottled separately, the “To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon,” “Dr. Crane Cabernet Sauvignon,” and “Dr. Crane Cabernet Franc” each possess their own unique character. These cuvées contain absolutely no blend of grapes from different vineyards. The estate’s Cabernet Sauvignon is also made from grapes grown on the hilly plots located above and below the winery, and is, once again, a wine in its own right.

The Lithology range

These wines are produced under the “Lithology” brand. The lineup is intentionally limited: they predominantly produce red wines, but also produce a Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc wine.

• Lithology Cabernet Sauvignon: the entry-level wine in this series
• Lithology Beckstoffer "To Kalon Vineyard" Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lithology Beckstoffer "To Kalon Vineyard" Cabernet Franc
• Lithology Beckstoffer "Dr. Crane Vineyard" Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lithology” Beckstoffer "Dr. Crane Vineyard" Cabernet Franc
• Lithology Beckstoffer "Las Piedras Vineyard" Cabernet Sauvignon
• Lithology "Ritchie Vineyard" Chardonnay
• Lithology Sauvignon Blanc
• Alejandro Bulgheroni Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Wine, extremely limited production, barrel selection from the finest to capture the excellence of the vintage. Showcasing the excellence what Napa Valley wines have to offer.