Burgess
Contadina Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
Burgess
Napa Valley
| Vintage Wine Name | Contadina Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Wine Description | The Italian word for female farmer, Contadina is an homage to the original Swiss-Italian farming families that first planted the Sorenson vineyard in the 1870s. This wine hails from Sorenson Vineyard at the base of Howell Mountain in the Crystal Springs AVA, along with some valley-floor fruit. |
| Region | Napa Valley |
| Appellation | Napa |
| Tasting notes | A structured and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon with aromas and flavors of blackberry and ripe black currants. The lush fruit is brought into balance by high tone herbal aromatics of mint, sage, and sweet tobacco. The distinctively thick-skinned Cabernet grapes provide a long, velvety finish. |
| Pairing notes | An elegant Cabernet Sauvignon that pairs beautifully with steak, lamb, roast beef, and duck. A good companion to hearty stews, rich pastas and dishes that feature mushrooms. |
| Alcohol % | 14.2 |
| SRP | 55.00 |
| Highest Score | 91 Points, Vinous |
|---|---|
| Highest Score Review Copy | “The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Contadina is a blend mostly from Burgess' valley-floor sites with some fruit from the Sorenson Vineyard. It’s a soft, earthy Cabernet with lovely forward fruit and mid-weight structure. Spice, tobacco, incense and brambly notes are nicely delineated throughout. Give this a few years to soften.” - Antonio Galloni, November 2025 |
| Acclaim | 91 Points, Vinous. “The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Contadina is a blend mostly from Burgess' valley-floor sites with some fruit from the Sorenson Vineyard. It’s a soft, earthy Cabernet with lovely forward fruit and mid-weight structure. Spice, tobacco, incense and brambly notes are nicely delineated throughout. Give this a few years to soften.” - Antonio Galloni, November 2025 |
| Feature Bullet 1 | Founded by Tom Burgess and family-owned since 1972, the estate has been part of Napa Valley winemaking history for 150 years. |
| Feature Bullet 2 | Known as Souverain from 1943-1972, Warren Winiarski, Mike Grgich, and Paul Draper begin their careers here. |
| Feature Bullet 3 | Sorenson Vineyard was first cultivated in the 1880s in what is now Crystal Springs AVA (as of 2024). |
| Feature Bullet 4 | Winemaker Reid Griggs came to Burgess in 2025 after learning from the best: Harlan Estate, MacDonald Vineyards, Dalla Valle, Ridge, and the cult St. Joseph producer Domaine Pierre Gonon |
| Feature Bullet 5 | CCOF organic and Biodynamic with regenerative farming: focus on crop diversity, soil health, livestock for weed control, and beehives |
| Winery | Burgess |
|---|---|
| Winery Description | Founded by Tom Burgess in 1972, the winery has been continuously owned and operated by the Burgess Family until the acquisition by the Lawrence Family in 2020. Burgess Cellars was purchased in 1972 from Lee Stewart of the original Souverain Winery which was located on the hillsides of Howell Mountain. The historic site drew some of Napa Valley's leading winemakers, including Mike Grgich and Warren Winiarski. In 2020 Steve Burgess passed the mantle to Gaylon Lawrence, upholding a 150-year tradition of family ownership. The winemaking and vineyard management teams embarked on an ambitious project; leading the way in regenerative and promiscuous farming in the Napa Valley in order to preserve historic vineyards and ensure the health of these vines for generations to come. |
| Winery Instagram Handle | @burgesscellars |
| Winery Hashtags | #regenerativefarming #napacab #crystalsprings #burgess |
| Winemaker | Reid Griggs |
| Winemaker Bio | Winemaker Reid Griggs came to Burgess in 2025 after learning from the best: Harlan Estate, MacDonald Vineyards, Dalla Valle, Ridge, and the cult St. Joseph producer Domaine Pierre Gonon. He makes the wines in a classical, terroir-driven style that prioritizes grace and delicacy. His interest and training in microbiology informs his approach, and his desire to preserve each vineyard’s unique terroir fingerprint. |