Beaulieu Vineyards Napa Valley California Wine Cabernet Sauvignon

Everything about Beaulieu Vineyards, Napa Valley California Cabernet Sauvignon wine producer profile, wine tasting notes, wine and food pairing tips, best vintages, history of the property, information on their wine making techniques, terroir and soil. You can also read about the Grapes used for California wine and learn about the extensive History of Napa Valley, California Wines

Beaulieu History, Overvieww

Beaulieu Vineyards, which took its name from the French translation of the term for beautiful place was founded in 1904 by Georges de Latour when he obtained 40 acres of vines cultivated in the late 1870’s. The first commercial endeavor on his own in California came when Latour bought the Ewer and Atkinson Winery. The company came with a vineyard first cultivated in 1880. Those purchases were augmented in 1907 when he obtained the Hastings vineyard, just east from Rutherford.

By the time of those purchases, Georges de Latour, who had moved from France to California, was no stranger to the wine industry as he was well known for selling phylloxera resistant root stock to growers in California. The vineyard started to come together in 1900, when Georges de Latour began purchasing vines in Rutherford. The initial wines released by Beaulieu Vineyards were made from purchased grapes, or wines that were produced by other growers, as their vineyards yet productive.

Georges de Latour was definitely a smart person who never passed on opportunities. His initial fortune came from selling phylloxera resistant root stock to vineyard owners. During Prohibition, he took the opportunity to purchase vineyards at reduced prices, as they were being abandoned. Beaulieu Vineyards managed to stay alive during Prohibition due to their production of wine for religious services. See, I told you he was clever. But his next move was his smartest yet.

Beaulieu Vineyards and Georges de Latour are two important names to know in the history of California wine. Beaulieu Vineyards was one of the first Napa Valley estates to begin popularizing the first use of modern, French wine making techniques. They also deserve credit for making what could be the first wine produced from mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, Beaulieu Vineyards Private Reserve. None of this could have been accomplished without the help of a true legend in the newly minted California wine industry, Andre Tchelistcheff.

Andre Tchelistcheff was hired by Georges de Latour, moved to California from France and joined Beaulieu Vineyards in 1938. Andre Tchelistcheff was responsible for introducing many of the modern wine making techniques that were used in Europe. It was Andre Tchelistcheff who began thinking about frost protection during the growing season. Andre Tchelistcheff pioneered the need for proper sanitation and the use of small, French oak barrels for aging of the wine. He also insisted that malolactic fermentation become part of the wine making process.

Andre Tchelistcheff eliminated pasteurization and introduced the technique of cold fermentation to increase the color and concentration of the wine. Andre Tchelistcheff introduced modern, viticulture practices of Europe. He began replanting the vineyards with higher levels of density, reducing the amount of sulfur used in the vineyards and more importantly, Andre Tchelistcheff focused on planting high quality French grape varietals. It was Andre Tchelistcheff that helped Cabernet Sauvignon get its start in the Napa Valley. He was also responsible for bringing Pinot Noir to Napa, but soon agreed that the cooler climates of Sonoma was better for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Geroges de Latour passed away in 1940. Beaulieu Vineyards was then headed up by his wife and daughter, with the continued aid of Andre Tchelistcheff. The company continued to grow and by the early 1960’s Beaulieu Vineyards was selling close to 100,000 cases of wine per year! In 1969, Beaulieu Vineyards was sold to the massive beverage giant, Heublin. The winery was later purchased by Diageo, who sold the vineyards and winery in 2015 to Australia’s Treasury Wine Estates.

Beaulieu Vineyards, Terroir, Wines, Winemaking

Beaulieu Vineyards is one of the largest land owners in Napa Valley with more 1,100 acres in vines. Their best parcels are located in the Rutherford appellation. They have plantings of all the major Bordeaux varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. They also have vineyards with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. In addition, they maintain a vineyard that is used to experiment with a wide variety of different grape varieties including; Carignane, Petite Sirah and Valdiguie.

Serving and Decanting BV wines with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

BV Vineyards wines are best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. Young vintages of their red wine can be decanted for 1-3 hours, depending on the character of the vintage. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

The red wine of Beaulieu Vineyards is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, ribs, hamburgers, barbecue, roasted, braised, grilled dishes and stews. BV Vineyards is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, salmon, mushrooms and pasta.

The white wine of BV Vineyards is a perfect wine and food match for all types of seafood, sushi, sashimi, shellfish, chicken, veal, pork and cheese.

In the Russian River appellation in Sonoma, Beaulieu Vineyards maintains plantings of not only the major grape varieties, nut also Canelli, Sauvignon Musque, Touriga, Tempranillo, Charbono, Syrah, Sangiovese, Malbec, Carignane, Marsanne, Mourvedre and Rousanne. In the Carneros appellation, they grow Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Syrah.

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