Copper Streak Vineyard is located in a protected hollow at the base of the palisades in Stags Leap District. The soils are composed of Perkins gravelly loam mixed with red, copper-like streaks, which is how the vineyard got its name. The vines receive a western exposure and are of moderate size, yielding loose clusters with small berries. The climate in Stags Leap is very warm, however, midafternoon breezes sweep in to cool things down, allowing for excellent ripening. Nickel & Nickel Copper Streak Cabernet is produced from seven of the vineyard’s 30 acres.

Similar to 2012, warm days and cool, foggy nights prevailed, offering the perfect conditions for fruit and tannin maturity. The season in general was about 10 days ahead of last year and favorable weather conditions helped yield a much larger crop load. The fruit received excellent exposure, and the warm summer temperatures encouraged wonderful fruit flavors. Hang time extended into early October and we harvested to capture ideal flavors.