Judd's
Hill Vineyards
In 1979, Art Finkelstein, who was a practicing
architect at the time, moved with his family from Los Angeles
to St. Helena. "I gave up my architectural practice
in the late '70s and, together with my brother Alan, built Whitehall
Lane Winery (located about halfway between Rutherford and St.
Helena on Hwy 29). I was a home winemaker beginning in the
early 1970's. During the 70's, I continually took extension
classes from UC Davis, until I was ready for the big time.”
In 1988, Alan wanted to retire, and Art decided that a smaller
winery would be more to his liking. Art, his wife Bunny,
and his son Judd moved from a 30,000 case-a-year facility to his
new winery site, purchased a few years earlier on the east side
of Napa Valley, overlooking picturesque Lake Hennessey. In
1989, their first vintage, Art produced about 400 cases of wine.
"Judd's Hill is actually three hills, each with different
soil profiles and orientations." notes Bunnie, “The
two main hills sit at right angles to each other, one with a southern
exposure and the other facing west. They join at the bottom
at a lovely pond that we use for irrigation
and a little bass fishing." The third hill faces southwest
on what the Finkelsteins believe to be "antique" vineyard
land from the early 1900s.
Finkelstein grows Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc
on his estate vineyard property and holding the belief that “complexity
is not an accident”, he has planted his Cabernet vineyards
to three different clones: Spottswoode, Diamond Creek, and 337.
Not only does he technically and artistically understand winemaking
practices and procedures, but he also is a first-hand viticulturist;
consequently, Finkelstein is closely connected to his source grapes,
understands the passionate expression of his fruit, and intuitively
grasps all winemaking procedures.
Since its inception, Judd’s Hill has been recognized as
one of the top producers of Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley.
Highly sought after, difficult to find, but well worth the search.
back to top
