Sodhani Vineyards

Sodhani Vineyards is a 6 acre hillside vineyard located just north of the town of St. Helena; this property is owned by Arvind Sodhani and his wife Beverly. Arvind, built a successful career at Intel Corporation including as executive vice president of the company and also president of Intel Capital. He has enjoyed wine for many years – recalling he first became interested in wine while studying at college in London. He has since become a collector focusing on Bordeaux and Burgundy. And when the former custom crush powerhouse Crushpad was sourcing grapes for numerous clients – Arvind had three vintages made from To Kalon in Oakville, one of Napa’s most highly prized vineyards.

Beverly was introduced to wine through Arvind and has become passionate about their vineyard, their own wines and the world of wine (a passion that carried over into names of their dogs over the years including Cabernet, Bordeaux and Burgundy!).

The couple purchased this 11-acre property in the summer of 2013 after searching for some time; it also has special significance as they were married on site. They prefer hillside properties in Napa with even more specific requirements; land that is located on western slopes with vineyards that face east. As a result of exposure and location, their property receives less sunlight than sites at the same elevation on the opposite side of the valley. The sharply rising hills to the immediate west of their vineyard and the surrounding forest and tall trees help ensure this. This topography factors into the acid development of the grapes throughout the growing season. The vineyard becomes shaded earlier in the afternoon and therefore begins cooling before vineyards on more exposed western facing hillsides.

And this resulting exposure, reflective of their particular site is certainly noticeable in the brightness of the Sodhani wines.

The vineyard is well established with the current vines having been planted in 2000. We first visited this property many years ago with the previous owners and as a result, were already somewhat familiar with the vineyard and its layout. At that time, it was also planted to a few rows of Merlot – some of which was blended in their 2014 vintage but was budded over to Cabernet Sauvignon in 2015. The vineyard is planted to three clones of Cabernet Sauvignon including clone 7, 15, and 337. All three clones are used in each of their two wines.

The vineyard is farmed by hand – although the benefits of using an optical sorter are greatly appreciated once the grapes arrive at the winery. While the vineyard is fairly compact, they tend to harvest up to four times each year; this is based on clones and location within the vineyard – some of the grapes ripen earlier than others. Their picking crews harvest late at night – usually starting at 2am – ensuring the grapes are still cold when they come into the winery for their cold soak, pre-fermentation.

The entire property is 12 acres – they have secured the necessary permits to build a cave and eventually hope to make wine on site.

Grapes from the vineyard were going to Harlan Estate but after the Sodhani’s decided to use some of the fruit for their own wine, they stopped selling to Harlan Estate.

This is prime St. Helena terroir – nearby neighbors include a Colgin owned vineyard and Vineyard 29. Both Arvind and Beverly have been blessed to have met a number of vintners in Napa over the years including several who have been extremely generous with sharing their own knowledge. Dr. Revana (another one of Napa Valley’s select Indian (India) owned wineries has been particularly helpful.

Arvind and Beverly interviewed some of Napa’s most highly sought after winemakers; ultimately, they settled on hiring Thomas Brown based on his interest in preserving the terroir of their particular vineyard and a having palate similar to Arvinds. He has made each vintage since their 2013 inaugural release.

Select Wines
The 2018 Sodhani Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is dark ruby in color; the aromatics offer darker fruits but with an elegant ripeness. Shows aromas of blackberry and dark olive; one can smell dust on the bouquet. Balanced nicely for such a young wine – includes flavors of dark cherry and blackberry. Round, dark and slightly chalky tannins anchor a long finish which lingers with bright acidity, red toned fruits and just a hint of cedar box.

The 2018 Sodhani Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is always made from a barrel selection of the best lots of wine each year. And the reserve wine tends to be weighted towards Cabernet Sauvignon clone 7. Offers an intriguing diversity of aromatics including blackberry, boysenberry, sandalwood, leather and dry soil. The bouquet is ripe yet shows an aromatic restraint if you will – an elegance. As it opens, offers some darker chocolate notes and hints of vanilla. The expression of the fruit is showcased both on the bouquet and palate rather than any overt oak complements. Noticeable is the wine’s brightness, its lingering lively acidity and the density of tannins (rounded in texture rather than showing a significant grip). A beautiful showing.

The 2014 Sodhani Estate is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. This wine shows bright fruit aromatics including blackberry and raspberry along with notes of tobacco spice. The wine is exceptionally approachable at such a young age. Somewhat dusty fine-grained tannins anchor a pleasing and smooth finish. Drinks very well young.

The 2013 Sodhani Cabernet Sauvignon shows aromas of blackberry, spicy plum (with some notes of pepper) along with more subtle aromas of toasted cedar. As it opens it reveals a hint of browned sugar. Fairly approachable on the palate it delivers an intensity of flavor including somewhat spicy dark plum. Lingers with notes of dust along with finely shaped and slightly chewy tannins.

The 2014 Sodhani Reserve initially shows subtle notes of dry gravel on the bouquet – as it opens offers dark fruit aromatics including plum and blackberry. There is an elegant yet savory component to the bouquet. This wine is noticeably dark – inky black dark purple in color (visually perhaps could almost be mistaken for a Petite Sirah). A density of fruit and structure show on the palate with concentrated (but not course), long lasting tannins. Somewhat chewy mid palate. Lingering notes of blackberry and espresso.

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The elephant on the label with its upright trunk represents good fortune and good luck. It is also a nod to Arvind’s heritage. And if one looks very closely one can see the elephant is firmly grasping a small bunch of grapes in its trunk.

The wines are selectively distributed in Napa Valley including at Solage in Calistoga, Brasswood Restaurant and ACME wine shop, both in St. Helena and at two extremely fine establishments in the San Francisco Bay Area; the Plumed Horse in Saratoga (with its fantastic wine list) and the three Michelin-starred Saison in San Francisco. Or one can purchase direct by becoming a member of the Sodhani Wine Society. For more information, visit: www.sodhanivineyards.com