Available now — shipping weekly from our Oregon distribution center.
Each pail includes 5 gallons of grape must
Product will arrive partially frozen.
Rutherford AVA, Napa Valley, CA
ENT-685 · Block 04A
27.9° Brix · pH 3.80 · TA 3.7 g/L · YAN 87 mg/L
Our smallest-berry 2026 Napa Cabernet, with a darker, earthier and more savory expression.
ETS report excerpt available in photos, or click here. Results are listed separately for each clone.
Harvested and destemmed: October 5, 2026
2026 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon
– Alsace Vineyard
Located in Rutherford, Napa Valley, Alsace Vineyard offers Cabernet Sauvignon from two established vineyard blocks, giving winemakers the unusual opportunity to work with two different Cabernet selections from the same Rutherford estate.
Block 04A is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon ENT685 on 101-14 rootstock, established in 2009, while Block 08B is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 7 on 3309C rootstock, established in 2010.
With more than fifteen growing seasons behind them by the 2026 harvest, these are mature, established Cabernet vines from an appellation that has built its worldwide reputation around this variety.
The opportunity becomes even more interesting because the two blocks do not have to be viewed in isolation. Each can be made separately, or the two can be fermented independently and brought together at the blending bench, allowing the winemaker to explore how different Cabernet clones, rootstocks, and vineyard blocks contribute to the finished wine.
For those who want to take that experiment even further, our 2026 Rutherford program also includes Clone 169 Cabernet Sauvignon from McGah Family Heritage Vineyard, planted in 2019. Working with all three selections creates the opportunity to build a custom Rutherford Cabernet from three different clones and multiple vine ages, blending for fruit, aromatics, structure, texture, and complexity.
Few home winemakers ever get the opportunity to approach Cabernet Sauvignon this way.
Flavor Profile & Winemaking Potential
Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon is celebrated for combining concentration and power with elegance, balance, and age-worthy structure.
Expect a dark-fruited profile centered around cassis, blackberry, black cherry, and dark plum, with the potential for layers of violet, graphite, cocoa, cedar, tobacco, earth, and warm spice as the wines develop.
The real excitement here, however, is the ability to work with two distinct Cabernet Sauvignon selections from mature Rutherford vines.
Clone, rootstock, vine age, vineyard position, fermentation, extraction, and élevage can all influence how each lot ultimately expresses itself. Keeping the two blocks separate through fermentation gives the winemaker the opportunity to taste each component on its own before deciding whether—and in what proportion—to bring them together.
Bottle one independently. Blend the two. Or incorporate our younger Clone 169 Rutherford Cabernet and explore all three side by side.
For the ambitious winemaker, this creates something particularly compelling: the ability to build a Cabernet Sauvignon blend within the variety itself, using multiple Cabernet selections to develop layers of fruit, aroma, tannin, texture, and structure before another Bordeaux variety ever enters the equation.
And, of course, these wines can also serve as the foundation for a broader Bordeaux-style blend. Merlot, Malbec, Tannat, or Petit Verdot can each be used to take the finished wine in an entirely different direction.
Why Rutherford Matters
Although Rutherford is one of Napa Valley’s smaller American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), it has long been regarded as one of the world’s premier regions for Bordeaux varieties—and particularly Cabernet Sauvignon.
Its combination of warm afternoons, cool evenings, and exceptionally well-drained gravelly soils consistently produces fruit with remarkable concentration, natural balance, and refined structure.
The appellation is famous for Cabernet possessing both power and elegance—ripe fruit supported by vibrant acidity, structured tannins, and the distinctive mineral and savory complexity associated with Rutherford.
For Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford remains one of Napa Valley’s great benchmarks.
Highlights
• Vineyard: Alsace Vineyard
• Appellation: Rutherford AVA, Napa Valley
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Block 04A: ENT685 · 101-14 rootstock · planted 2009
• Block 08B: Clone 7 · 3309C rootstock · planted 2010
• Vine Age: Established mature plantings with more than 15 growing seasons by the 2026 harvest
• Flavor Potential: Cassis, blackberry, black cherry, dark plum, violet, graphite, cocoa, cedar, tobacco, earth, warm spice, and a long, structured finish
• Winemaking Potential: Craft either Cabernet selection independently or ferment separately and create your own two-clone Rutherford Cabernet blend
• Three-Clone Opportunity: Combine with our McGah Family Heritage Vineyard Clone 169 Cabernet Sauvignon for an opportunity to work with three distinct Rutherford Cabernet selections
• Blending Potential: Excellent as varietal Cabernet Sauvignon or as the foundation for blends incorporating Merlot, Malbec, Tannat, or Petit Verdot
Farming Practices
Weed Management
☐ No herbicides used
☑ Limited herbicide use (typically one targeted application per season)
☐ Mechanical weed control only
☐ Information not available
A rare opportunity to craft Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon from Alsace Vineyard.
Availability & Shipping
The 2026 harvest is complete. This Cabernet Sauvignon is available now and ships weekly from our Oregon distribution center. See the announcement at the top of our website for current shipment dates and order deadlines.
For shipping options and current terms, visit https://winegrapesdirect.com/shipping-returns. Shipment dates are not arrival dates; transit time depends on your destination and service.
Provenance Note
This product is made from fruit sourced from Alsace Vineyard in Rutherford, Napa Valley: ENT-685 from Block 04A and Clone 7 from Block 08B. The vineyard name identifies the origin of the fruit and does not imply endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation with the vineyard owner.
Available now — shipping weekly from our Oregon distribution center.
Each pail includes 5 gallons of grape must
Product will arrive partially frozen.
Rutherford AVA, Napa Valley, CA
ENT-685 · Block 04A
27.9° Brix · pH 3.80 · TA 3.7 g/L · YAN 87 mg/L
Our smallest-berry 2026 Napa Cabernet, with a darker, earthier and more savory expression.
ETS report excerpt available in photos, or click here. Results are listed separately for each clone.
Harvested and destemmed: October 5, 2026
2026 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon
– Alsace Vineyard
Located in Rutherford, Napa Valley, Alsace Vineyard offers Cabernet Sauvignon from two established vineyard blocks, giving winemakers the unusual opportunity to work with two different Cabernet selections from the same Rutherford estate.
Block 04A is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon ENT685 on 101-14 rootstock, established in 2009, while Block 08B is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 7 on 3309C rootstock, established in 2010.
With more than fifteen growing seasons behind them by the 2026 harvest, these are mature, established Cabernet vines from an appellation that has built its worldwide reputation around this variety.
The opportunity becomes even more interesting because the two blocks do not have to be viewed in isolation. Each can be made separately, or the two can be fermented independently and brought together at the blending bench, allowing the winemaker to explore how different Cabernet clones, rootstocks, and vineyard blocks contribute to the finished wine.
For those who want to take that experiment even further, our 2026 Rutherford program also includes Clone 169 Cabernet Sauvignon from McGah Family Heritage Vineyard, planted in 2019. Working with all three selections creates the opportunity to build a custom Rutherford Cabernet from three different clones and multiple vine ages, blending for fruit, aromatics, structure, texture, and complexity.
Few home winemakers ever get the opportunity to approach Cabernet Sauvignon this way.
Flavor Profile & Winemaking Potential
Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon is celebrated for combining concentration and power with elegance, balance, and age-worthy structure.
Expect a dark-fruited profile centered around cassis, blackberry, black cherry, and dark plum, with the potential for layers of violet, graphite, cocoa, cedar, tobacco, earth, and warm spice as the wines develop.
The real excitement here, however, is the ability to work with two distinct Cabernet Sauvignon selections from mature Rutherford vines.
Clone, rootstock, vine age, vineyard position, fermentation, extraction, and élevage can all influence how each lot ultimately expresses itself. Keeping the two blocks separate through fermentation gives the winemaker the opportunity to taste each component on its own before deciding whether—and in what proportion—to bring them together.
Bottle one independently. Blend the two. Or incorporate our younger Clone 169 Rutherford Cabernet and explore all three side by side.
For the ambitious winemaker, this creates something particularly compelling: the ability to build a Cabernet Sauvignon blend within the variety itself, using multiple Cabernet selections to develop layers of fruit, aroma, tannin, texture, and structure before another Bordeaux variety ever enters the equation.
And, of course, these wines can also serve as the foundation for a broader Bordeaux-style blend. Merlot, Malbec, Tannat, or Petit Verdot can each be used to take the finished wine in an entirely different direction.
Why Rutherford Matters
Although Rutherford is one of Napa Valley’s smaller American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), it has long been regarded as one of the world’s premier regions for Bordeaux varieties—and particularly Cabernet Sauvignon.
Its combination of warm afternoons, cool evenings, and exceptionally well-drained gravelly soils consistently produces fruit with remarkable concentration, natural balance, and refined structure.
The appellation is famous for Cabernet possessing both power and elegance—ripe fruit supported by vibrant acidity, structured tannins, and the distinctive mineral and savory complexity associated with Rutherford.
For Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford remains one of Napa Valley’s great benchmarks.
Highlights
• Vineyard: Alsace Vineyard
• Appellation: Rutherford AVA, Napa Valley
• Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Block 04A: ENT685 · 101-14 rootstock · planted 2009
• Block 08B: Clone 7 · 3309C rootstock · planted 2010
• Vine Age: Established mature plantings with more than 15 growing seasons by the 2026 harvest
• Flavor Potential: Cassis, blackberry, black cherry, dark plum, violet, graphite, cocoa, cedar, tobacco, earth, warm spice, and a long, structured finish
• Winemaking Potential: Craft either Cabernet selection independently or ferment separately and create your own two-clone Rutherford Cabernet blend
• Three-Clone Opportunity: Combine with our McGah Family Heritage Vineyard Clone 169 Cabernet Sauvignon for an opportunity to work with three distinct Rutherford Cabernet selections
• Blending Potential: Excellent as varietal Cabernet Sauvignon or as the foundation for blends incorporating Merlot, Malbec, Tannat, or Petit Verdot
Farming Practices
Weed Management
☐ No herbicides used
☑ Limited herbicide use (typically one targeted application per season)
☐ Mechanical weed control only
☐ Information not available
A rare opportunity to craft Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon from Alsace Vineyard.
Availability & Shipping
The 2026 harvest is complete. This Cabernet Sauvignon is available now and ships weekly from our Oregon distribution center. See the announcement at the top of our website for current shipment dates and order deadlines.
For shipping options and current terms, visit https://winegrapesdirect.com/shipping-returns. Shipment dates are not arrival dates; transit time depends on your destination and service.
Provenance Note
This product is made from fruit sourced from Alsace Vineyard in Rutherford, Napa Valley: ENT-685 from Block 04A and Clone 7 from Block 08B. The vineyard name identifies the origin of the fruit and does not imply endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation with the vineyard owner.
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