The Roman poet Virgil once wrote “apertos Bacchus amat colles” or “Bacchus loves open hills”.  The ancients understood that vines cultivated on hillsides made better wine. Fertile valley soils resulted in couch potato fruit, fat and happy without much character.  But, the shallow, porous soils of sloping vineyards moderate leafy growth, force the roots to go deep, and focus the vine’s effort on ripening its fruit.  It turns out that grape vines, like human beings, respond best to a balanced diet and exercise.

The hills at the base of California’s Mount Konocti are tinged red from the lava of this once active volcano.  It’s been eleven thousand years since the volcano has erupted, and today these hills produce a red of a different kind.  Cabernet Sauvignon loves it here.  It’s warm enough to ripen, but cool nighttime temperatures preserve freshness and make wines with a texture that’s harmoniously hefty.

Our latest red wine is a surprisingly affordable Cabernet Sauvignon from cinnamon tinted soils on hillsides that rise above California’s Clear Lake and lie in the shadow of this idle volcano.  Take a sip and you’ll find a wine that’s flawlessly focused with indulgent amounts of fresh black currant fruit combined with a taut touch, and a pleasant, mouth puckering finish.  This is a wine to serve side-by-side grilled lamb chops with cilantro and mint sauce, or pizza with arugula, eggplant and mozzarella.

You don’t have to be a hillbilly to think highly of hills, and you don’t have to be a connoisseur to fall in love with our latest Cabernet.  All you need is about thirteen bucks, and a friend to share the bottle.  Bacchus would approve.

Cheers,

Now through Thursday 11/6 at 2PM EST, get 15% off Lot 116 Red Hills Cabernet Sauvignon – that's just $12.74/bottle, any quantity! What do you think of this wine? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter and Facebook!

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