Very limited!
2022 Preface is crafted by blending our younger estate vines with select barrels to be approachable upon release. Enticing aromas of crushed blueberry, chocolate covered cherries, warm cassis, and raspberry reduction interlaced with attractive notions of sandalwood incense and baked clay. A core of gorgeous black fruits glides across the silky palate and is framed by ripe, fine-grained tannins on the extended and energetic finish.
Varietal Composition: 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Malbec, 12% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc
Only 393 cases were produced!
Winemaking Team
Laura Jones - Winemaker
Philippe Melka – Consulting Winemaker
Winemaking regime
Skipstone hand-sorted then precision optical sorted berry by berry the grapes from our estate. Each of the 12 lots that comprised the final blend of this wine were fermented and left on the skins for an average of 22 days prior to pressing. The wine was aged for 19 months in 31% new French oak barrels prior to being bottled unfined and unfiltered.
 
Fahri & Constance Diner ~ Proprietors
To Constance and Fahri, Skipstone is more than a winegrowing estate — it is a devoted partnership with the earth.
A native of the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, Fahri speculates that an affinity for the land may be in his blood. Blessed with tranquil olive groves and idyllic Mediterranean sunshine reminiscent of his birthplace, Skipstone inspires in Fahri an instinctive connection to the property. Fahri’s years as an entrepreneur and venture capitalist have given him a striking ability to envision the potential of a property like Skipstone. He believes passionately in Skipstone’s mission to produce wines that rival the quality and artistry of California’s most highly regarded wine estates.
A quintessential connoisseur of fine-and-fast things in life, Constance leverages her deep expertise in marketing luxury products to help expand Skipstone’s brand recognition. Instilled with an unconditional commitment to quality through her European roots from Germany, Belgium and Switzerland, she connects naturally and harmoniously with Skipstone. Constance graduated from Centre International de Glion in Montreux, and led marketing, brand building and event management activities at Cartier, Rolex and Formula 1.
Alexander Valley
Nearly a northern extension of Napa Valley, Alexander Valley starts just north of the small, Knights Valley, and is just a few minutes drive from the Napa town of Calistoga. It is Sonoma County’s hottest AVA. But the Russian River, which runs through the valley, creates cooler pockets and its soft, alluvial soil is ideal for grape growing, especially Cabernet Sauvignon. In fact, some believe that Alexander Valley Cabernets truly rival the best from Napa Valley and many of the heavy-hitter producers have largely invested here.
In addition to Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes up over 50% of plantings, Merlot and old vine Zinfandel thrive here. Ample, fleshy Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc dominate white wine production. Some old-vine plantings of Grenache have also been discovered and more recent experiments with Sangiovese and Barbera show great promise.