Detert Family Vineyards
Detert Family Vineyards cultivates a small plot with a rich history, a 7-acre vineyard of Cabernet Franc located on the To Kalon estate in Oakville, Napa Valley. These vines were first planted in 1949 and are considered the oldest in Napa Valley. The family has been cultivating this plot for over 60 years, and began selling wines under its own brand in 2000.
From a gold mine to To Kalon
The Detert family's history in America began in 1866, when William Ferdinand Detert emigrated from Germany. He made his fortune in the California gold fields, at the “Argonaut” mine in Jackson, and used his earnings to purchase a ranch. The story in Napa for the Detert family began in 1954. Hedwig Detert acquired 50 acres of the famous To Kalon vineyard from Martin Stelling’s estate. Stelling had replanted this plot in 1949 with Cabernet Franc which was a first in Napa Valley, alongside Cabernet Sauvignon. For several decades, the family sold these grapes. Beginning in 1966, Robert Mondavi purchased "Detert Cabernet Franc" grapes and used it in his blends. In 1979, Gunther Detert replanted the “Eastern Block” using cuttings taken from the original vines planted in 1949, thereby preserving their genetic characteristics. Up until 2000 the Detert family sold almost all their grapes to the close by Robert Mondavi Winery, but starting from this year the Detert Family with Tom as the winemaker released their first wine, the Detert Cabernet Franc 2000. In the years prior to their first release, Tom had gained experience as assistant winemaker at Revana Family Vineyards, while also having worked at The Wine Spectator magazine and several wineries including, Turley Wine Cellars, Joseph Phelps and nearby located Robert Mondavi Winery. In 2002 they added a Cabernet Sauvignon to the lineup. The Detert Family Vineyards is run by Tom Detert as winemaker, John Detert for sales and marketing and Bill Cover as third partner, with the help for over a decade as vineyard manager Mike Wolf.
The Detert Vineyard history
The Detert vineyard is located on a plateau east of the Mayacamas mountain range, right in the heart of the Oakville appellation. It is part of the "To Kalon" vineyard, one of the most notable in the Napa Valley. Grapes were first planted here in the 1870s by George Yount’s grandson, and in 1891, the plot was incorporated into the "To Kalon" vineyard, owned by H. W. Crabb. The Detert family manages two plots. The “East Block” consists of 7 acres of old Cabernet Franc vines, this plot is considered the first in Napa where Cabernet Franc was grown. The “West Block” was relatively recently replanted under the guidance of viticulturist Mike Wolf. Both Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon are grown here. The yield of the old vines in the East Block has historically been extremely low. According to Gunther Detert's records, prior to replanting in 1979, the yield was about 1.5 metric tons per acre, which was barely enough to cover growing costs. To increase production but to keep the unique characteristics of the vines they used the cuttings from the 1949 Cabernet Franc vines and replanted them in 1979.
Why the East Block tastes like the East Block
The eastern block is situated on well-drained alluvial soil, a deep, gravel-rich soil that To Kalon takes pride in. Water permeates the soil freely, the roots grow deep, and the vines never rest. The East Block itself forms the backbone of the wine. On the one hand, it has a supple texture; on the other, a dense structure. In Detert's wines, this manifests as distinctive notes of bittersweet chocolate, dark berries, sage, sweet tobacco, and anise. Tom Garrett repeatedly mentions these characteristics in his descriptions of the “East Block,” and since they appear consistently regardless of the vintage, they are perceived more as the terroir itself than as a style. Of course, the vintage still plays an important role.
Two Cabernets, one site
This winery grows two grape varieties, with the Cabernet Franc being the majority which is uncommon in the Oakville AVA. Part of the fruit comes from old vines from the East Block, it was this block that brought fame to the family. They cultivate the Cabernet Sauvignon variety on the West and South Block which have been more recently replanted.
In the cellar with Tom Garrett
Tom Garrett is the founder and winemaker of this winery. He began his career in 1999 at Turley Wine Cellars, and after working at Joseph Phelps, Robert Mondavi, and Levy Family Wineries, he devoted himself entirely to Detert and his other project, Dakota Shy Winery. His professional experience is clearly reflected in the wine’s style: it possesses the ripe fruitiness characteristic of Napa, yet does not come across as overly processed. From its first vintage in 2000 through 2008, “Detert Cabernet Franc” was a blend of grapes from the “East Block” and “West Block” plots. Since 2009, Garrett has set aside one barrel of wine from “East Block” each year and bottled it separately under the name “East Block Cuvée,” to demonstrate the expressiveness that old vines can exhibit on their own. The main “Cabernet Franc” wine continues to be bottled as a blend from both plots. The wine is produced in small quantities, and most of it is sold through member allocation.
The range
Detert Family Vineyards produces three distinct red wines, based on their blocks within the To Kalon. The Cabernet Franc “East Block”: a small quantity produced wine made from grapes grown from old vines in the East Block, first release for this wine was in 2009. The Cabernet Sauvignon: a wine made from grapes grown on the winery’s own Cabernet Sauvignon plot within the same vineyard In addition to these, the winery also produces the classic “Detert Cabernet Franc,” a blend of the "East Block" and "West Block" plots, which has been the winery’s main wine since the release of its first vintage in 2000. The total production volume of all these wines is small, and older vintages rarely appear on the market.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Detert Family Vineyards?
The estate is owned and run by great-grandsons of Hedwig Detert: Tom Garrett (winemaker), John Garrett (sales and marketing) and Bill Cover.
Where is the vineyard located?
Inside the historic To Kalon Vineyard, on the eastern bench of the Mayacamas mountains in the Oakville appellation of Napa Valley.
What is the East Block?
Seven acres of old-vine Cabernet Franc, replanted in 1979 from cuttings taken from the original 1949 vines, the first Cabernet Franc planted in Napa Valley. Since 2009 it has been bottled as a separate cuvee.
Can you visit the estate?
No. Detert is not open to the public; visits are by appointment only and the winery does not run regular tours.
