Napa Valley’s Mount Veeder AVA is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon. Factor in a partnership with acclaimed Winemaker Aaron Pott and you have something really special.
At the highest point on Mount Veeder you’ll find Lampyridae (lamb-PEER-ah-day) Vineyards, a property overlooking the Napa Valley floor at 2,500 feet in elevation. Purchased by John and Ashley Derr in 1998, their vineyards are planted to 8 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 1 acre of Syrah, 1 acre of Grenache and 1 acre of Zinfandel – the couple’s favorite wine! Situated high above the fog layer, the cooler days and warmer nights provide ideal ripening conditions for their premium wine grapes. In addition, the combination of elevation and volcanic ash soil results in low yields and produces wines of incredible complexity.
Farmers at the core, Lampyridae has been selling fruit to clients including Beringer Vineyards, Fontanella Family Winery, Schulz Cellars, Kind Cellars, Biale Vineyards, Blackbird Winery and Rudd Oakville Estate before making their own wine.
In 2009, Lampyridae Vineyards started a project with Aaron Pott to make Cabernet Sauvignon. John notes there were various reasons Aaron was interested in the project, and as to why it made sense he noted, “Aaron is a Mount Veeder guy. He’s got property on Mount Veeder. He knows Mount Veeder fruit really well and has made beautiful wines from Mount Veeder. And we just really like Aaron.” The owners also partner with Winemaker David Yorgensen to craft their Lampyridae Vineyards Syrah and newly released Grenache.
Philanthropic to the core, Lampyridae Vineyards donates all profits from the sale of their “Communication Block” wines (named after their favorite vineyard block) to Napa Valley Kids Connect, a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children with motor and communication difficulties. Learn more about this generous donation project on our blog site, The Daily Flight.
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