2015 Holiday Blend - Toy Soldier Bugle

Our etched and hand-painted Holiday Wines are one of our most treasured traditions, a way for us to give our Wine Club Members exclusive access to rare wines in festive, one-of-a-kind bottlings.

Each year we develop new artful designs, many of them inspired by the holiday celebrations we enjoy in our own home. This year General Manager Nat Komes and his team created three singular designs for our limited-edition 2015 Holiday Blend: Joyful Swan, a gracious symbol of love, beauty and peace; Estate Snow Globe, the beloved ornament and holiday keepsake featuring our historic Ghost Winery; and Toy Soldier Bugle, the classic children’s toy and perhaps a reminder of simpler times.

The 2015 Holiday Blend delivers deep fruit flavors of black plum and red cherry compote along with intriguing notes of sweet leather, cedar and a wild hint of chaparral. A spicy component of cinnamon and cardamom warms the palate, and there’s a sweet fruit impression that persists through a long finish. With its supple texture and smooth tannins, this wine would be wonderful paired with your favorite traditional holiday meals, including the classic stuffed turkey or a prime rib roast.

On the Vine

The 2015 vintage in Napa Valley will be remembered for high quality but low yields. The growing season began with warm temperatures in late winter and early spring resulting in an early bud break. In May, colder temperatures during bloom caused fruit set to be uneven, yielding a much smaller crop compared to earlier vintages. The harvest, which was in full swing by mid-August, was one of the earliest on record in Napa Valley, and most vintners completed picking by mid-October.