Highly allocated!
“Since the inaugural 2006 vintage, Checkerboard was crafted from the Aurora Vineyard. Beginning with the 2012 vintage, the wine was renamed to reflect its vineyard source and the wine program was expanded to include bottlings from our new Coyote Ridge and Nash Creek Vineyards. Aurora Vineyard rests on a knoll in a small valley midway up our mountain at 1,200 feet in elevation where the soils are riddled with basalt rock and volcanic ash. 2012 Checkerboard Aurora Vineyard entices with a nose of sweet sandalwood and fresh, dark fruits. The palate offers notes of deep cherry, blueberry and rhubarb compote interlaced with graphite and sweet caramel. The wine rewards with a long finish and approachable yet firm tannins.” MARTHA MCCLELLAN | WINEMAKER
 
If we sometimes refer to a small, estate winery or vineyard as a jewel box, then the Diamond Mountain District in the Napa Valley is a treasure trove! This region of volcanic soils comprises just 500 planted acres, all above 400 feet in elevation, that span the fog-crested Mayacamas Mountains between St. Helena and Calistoga. The established wineries here are few, but they are among Napa’s most prestigious, among them: Diamond Creek, Constant-Diamond, The Vineyardist, and Checkerboard.
Checkerboard Vineyards is located on the southeastern slopes of Diamond Mountain at the northern end of the Napa Valley, farmed by Jim Barbour and handcrafted by Martha McClellan (Levy & McClellan, Sloan, Vineyard 7&8, Hamel, and formerly of Blankiet and Harlan), a woman known for painstakingly meticulous winemaking. Sounds far too expensive for your Tuesday night, no? Well, you are in for an affordable treat! Impetuous is Checkerboard's second label, crafted by the talented Martha McClellan herself from the same barrels that produce the acclaimed King’s Row and Aurora Vineyard. This wine is inspired by the unique terroir found within their four pristine estate vineyards on Diamond Mountain, blended carefully to be enjoyed NOW without the need to decant or age. 
The nose and palate offer an exciting array of your favorite fruits - Bing cherry, blueberry, and wild blackberry. Barrel aging added a delicious swirl of caramel and baking spice while Mother Nature sprinkled in a beautiful floral character. A juicy, knock-out finish completes the wine.
 
MARTHA MCCLELLAN | WINEMAKER
Martha McClellan worked making the wines at Harlan Estate from 1995 through 2000.  In 2001 she took over the winemaking and vineyard direction at Sloan Estate, the renowned Napa Valley winery, where she continues to make the wines today.  She also oversaw vinification for several years at Blankiet, while starting Levy & McClellan with her winemaker husband Bob Levy. In 2006 she came to Checkerboard Vineyards and made the first vintage from the Aurora Vineyard site on Diamond Mountain.