Napa Valley, California, USA
In 1981, while still employed at Cuvaison, Philip began planting his own vineyard on Spring Mountain and it is here that he has cemented his legacy. Starting with the 1983 vintage he has produced an unbroken string of world class wines; age-worthy, classic, and incredible. Although Philip is still very involved, since 2007, his daughter Lisa has taken the lead more and more. The good news is that she shares her father’s gift for winemaking and shows no interest in changing anything at this venerable estate.
The Estate vineyard at Togni is 10.5 acres (divided into 20 blocks) planted to 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The vines are co-planted and the wine is co-fermented. The soils are a mix of rocky volcanic and clay.
From this single vineyard Philip and Lisa produce three wines: the flagship Philip Togni Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, a second label Cabernet Sauvignon, Tanbark Hill, and a rare dessert wine, Ca’ Togni. The Cabernet Sauvignons are made using barrel selection and are otherwise handled exactly the same. All fruit is 100% destemmed, fermented in stainless steel and aged for 20 months in 40% new French oak. At this point the decision is made of which lots are blended into the “Estate Cabernet” and the “Tanbark Hill”. The Ca’ Togni is a wine unique to Napa, made from Black Hamburgh, Togni’s quarter acre of vines produce an aromatic, concentrated, sweet red wine unlike anything else we have come across. A true estate, the wines are made, bottled, and stored just feet away from the vineyard.