Covert Estate
2024 Cabernet Sauvignon
Coombsville AVA
Auction 30 | Lot No. 125
Vintage: 2024
Covert Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon
Coombsville
5 cases produced
Highlights
- 100% Estate Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon, Clone 337 and 191
- 14 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels, foudres and concrete egg
Description
We farm our estate vineyard organically with the utmost care, manually tending the tightly spaced rows and harvesting by hand in the coolness of early morning. All fruit is sent through two rounds of rigorous sorting—first as whole clusters, then again as de-stemmed individual berries. After cold maceration, the fruit completes primary fermentation in temperature-controlled conditions over three to four weeks; we then use a vertical press to gently crush into barrels for a secondary, malolactic fermentation. We rack at most twice per year, and bottle without fining or filtration. By minimizing human intervention with the wine, we aim to amplify the voice of the terroir.
Wine Facts
- Single vineyard wine
- Sustainably produced
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
Julien Fayard
Winemaker, Covert Estate
With more than two decades of winemaking expertise, Julien Fayard is one of Napa Valley’s most respected winemakers producing California varietals with French finesse. He believes in producing wines with an identity, exploiting what makes each one unique. Julien’s wines are a pure expression of their terroir, highlighting the specificities and characteristics of the fruit, vineyard management, soil and climate. He has a track record of building brands both in terms of quality and market presence.
Originally from France, Julien began his career as a winemaker producing quality rosé at his family’s winery in Provence. In Bordeaux he worked at Lafite Rothschild and Smith Haut Laffite before relocating to Napa Valley. In Napa, he was Philippe Melka’s director of winemaking for a few years before launching his own projects.
Julien earned his Master in Agri-Business ESA France and Master in Winemaking from Toulouse France and in 2011 he received his MBA from UC Davis.
Country born: France
Education: MBA UC Davis
Master of Winemaking (Toulouse)
Master in Agribusiness (ESA Angers)
Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years
Honors / Awards:
Appearances in SOMM TV's "Verticals: Lafite Rothschild," Season Two, (2021) and the feature length documentary "Decanted" (2016)
"Winemaker of the Year," 2021, Wine Spectrum
"Winemaker of the Year," 2019, LuxeSF
Winemaking Philosophy:
Non-interventionist winemaking. The vineyard drives the difference. What made me decide to build my own winery is traditional winemaking aimed at minimizing the cellar practices. Wine is a natural product of grapes. I am very technical on everything that supports winemaking, yet very traditional on what is in direct contact with the wine.
Lakeshore Sport & Fitness
1320 West Fullerton
Chicago IL 60614
312-730-7333
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Lakeshore Sport & Fitness:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rutherford Hill Winery | 2023 | Red Table Wine | Napa Valley | The Vista | 29 (2025) |
| STEREOGRAPH | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 29 (2025) | |
| VGS Chateau Potelle | 2023 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 40th Anniversary Cuvée | 29 (2025) |
| Baldacci Family Vineyards | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Valley's Beauty | 28 (2024) |
| Gamble Family Vineyards | 2022 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | New Beginnings 2.0 | 28 (2024) |
| Cliff Lede Vineyards | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Bohemian Thrill | 27 (2023) |
| Hyde Vineyard Estate | 2022 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | 27 (2023) |
Winery Distribution
Covert Estate is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.
Domestic:
- California (Breakthru Beverage)
- California (Breakthru Beverage)
- Florida (Dibacco Imports)
- Georgia (Insite )
- Illinois (Elevage)
- Michigan (The Wine Poor)
- Minnesota (Small Lot Wines)
- Missouri (Grey Eagle )
- North Carolina (Epiphany / Johnson Brothers)
- Ohio (Tramonte & Sons)
- Tennessee (Franklin Selections)