Merryvale Vineyards
2024 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Altezia Estate Vineyard"
Mount Veeder AVA
Auction 30 | Lot No. 143
Vintage: 2024
Merryvale Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon
Mount Veeder
5 cases produced
Highlights
- At ~2,550 feet on Mt. Veeder, the Altezia Vineyard is the highest Cabernet vineyard in Napa Valley
- The word “Altezia” is derived from Romansh (a Swiss language) meaning “elevation.”
- Aged in 100% French Oak Barrels (60% new)
- A blend of Swiss precision and Napa craftsmanship
Description
Rising nearly 2,550 feet above the valley floor, the Altezia Vineyard on Mt. Veeder stands as Napa Valley’s highest Cabernet site. Its name, from the Swiss Romansh word for “elevation,” captures both its altitude and its ambition. In this remote, rugged landscape, rocky volcanic soils and cool mountain air shape fruit of striking intensity and purity. Guided by the combined mastery of Jean Hoefliger and Jeff Crawford, the wine is aged in 60% new French oak to enhance its raw and untamed power. This blend of Swiss precision and Napa craftsmanship yields a Cabernet Sauvignon with remarkable focus and mountain-born finesse.
Wine Facts
- Wine is unfiltered
- Single vineyard wine
- Sustainably produced
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
Jeff Crawford
Winemaker, Merryvale Vineyards
Jeff Crawford has been with Merryvale Vineyards since 2007 and is now the Head Winemaker overseeing the production for all Merryvale and Starmont wines. Jeff pursued his passion and a career in winemaking after an introduction to the craft in 1997 while living in Hawaii, which led him to earn a degree from UC Davis. Jeff uses his decades of hands-on winemaking experience to relentlessly pursue the best each variety has to offer from each individual site from each unique vintage.
Country born: USA
Education: Bachelor of Arts, UC Davis
Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
Be as involved as possible in both the vineyard and especially the winery to craft in each wine to achieve the maximum quality in the desired style.
Jean Hoefliger
Winemaker, Merryvale Vineyards
Jean Hoefliger's initial experience took him from Switzerland to Bordeaux and South Africa, making wine at the esteemed estates of Chateau Lynch-Bages, Chateau Carbonnieux and Meerlust. After completing a winemaking and viticulture degree at the Swiss federal school of Changins, Jean came to California where he spent the first five years in Napa Valley as Winemaker for Newton Vineyard. He then continued on to the famed Alpha Omega Winery along with Tolosa Winery in San Luis Obispo, California and Perinet Winery in Spain. In addition, to other projects across the globe Jean consults for THE DEBATE. Jean's winemaking style is characterized by long, natural barrel fermentation, he also often leaves red wines on skins for an extended amount of time to create wines that are delicious, intriguing and complex. Jean brings the true character of the vine and the terroir into the wine by making naturally fermented, unfined and unfiltered wines that show elegance, finesse and the capacity to age. Jean's esteem has grown as his wines continue to garner high scores and critical acclaim while his generosity of spirit, passion and down to earth attitude shine above it all.
Country born: Switzerland
Education: Winemaking and Viticulture degree at the Swiss Federal School of Changins
Years in the wine industry: 15-20 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
Two friends have brought their unique perspectives together to create thought provoking and delicious wines that extend beyond the sense of taste to the thrill of telling stories and the art of listening. Jean Hoefliger began a new chapter in his global wine career when he partnered as Consulting Winemaker with Rob McKay to create The Debate. Their experience and perspective paired together has crafted wines that celebrate the art of conversation, the difference of viewpoints, and the enjoyment of sharing them through DEBATE.
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
Merryvale Vineyards 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 (RNDC)
- Colorado (RNDC)
- Florida (RNDC)
- Georgia (RNDC)
- New Jersey (Opici Family Distributing)
- New York (Opici Family Distributing)
- Pennsylvania (The Wine Merchant)
- Texas (RNDC)
International:
- Belgium (Top Courtage)
- Bulgaria (Cartel Ltd)
- Canada - Alberta (Marram Fine Wines)
- Canada - British Columbia (Appellation Wine Marketing)
- Canada - Ontario (Profile Wine Group)
- Canada - Quebec (Blanc Ou Rouge)
- China (Wiki Wine)
- Czech Republic (8Wines)
- Denmark (Otto Suenson & Co.)
- France (Vins Duvernay)
- Germany (Movenpick Wein Deutschland)
- Hong Kong (Telford)
- India (Mohan Brothers)
- Indonesia (Pasifik Mulia)
- Japan (Nakagawa Wine Co.)
- Luxembourg (Caves Wengler)
- Mexico (Baja Wines)
- Netherlands (Hosman Vins Wijnimporteurs)
- Norway (California House AS)
- Poland (Mielzynski Sp Z.O.O.)
- Puerto Rico (V.Suarez & Co., Inc.)
- South Korea (Chiko Vino / Cosmo)
- Sweden (Skrubbes Wines AB)
- Switzerland (Movenpick Wein Schweiz)
- Taiwan (Creation Wines)
- Thailand (Lovely Fine Wines)
- Turkey (ADCO Gida/ Kemer Gida)
- United Kingdom (Humble Grape)
- Vietnam (Les Celliers d'asie)