My partners and I bought Laurel Glen Vineyard from the founder in March 2011. In March of 2025, we are releasing the 10th vintage of our flagship Estate Cabernet under my supervision. This 2021 vintage represents so many milestones, it merits an entire blog.
The first vintage of Laurel Glen Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon was 1981 which makes 2021 the 40th vintage of our flagship Cabernet Sauvignon. What has changed in those 40 years?
The Evolution of the Wine Industry
Over the past 40 years, the wine industry has undergone significant transformations. Advances in viticulture and winemaking techniques have allowed us to better understand our terroir and refine our approach, particularly as regards irrigation and vine stress. In the 1980s, lean, structured Cabernet Sauvignons dominated, often requiring extensive aging before they could be fully appreciated. The 1990s saw a shift toward a more fruit-forward style. Advancements in canopy management and irrigation techniques enhancing grape concentration and balance. By the 2000s, sustainable and organic farming practices became a priority, influencing how vineyards were managed and how wines were crafted. Today, the industry embraces precision viticulture, utilizing technology such as weather stations and satellite imagery to monitor vine health, allowing us to produce wines of exceptional quality while conserving our resources and the environment.
The Evolution of Our Estate
What has changed at Laurel Glen Vineyard in 40 years? Everything and nothing. Of course, the ownership of the vineyard has changed. Decidedly more consequential to the wine in the bottle are the changes to farming. We re-shaped the vineyard in 2011, reducing the amount of fruit each vine was expected to ripen and changing the trellising to allow more even light and air to reach the clusters. This allows each cluster to ripen fully and each row to ripen more evenly.
The 2021 vintage also represents the 10th anniversary of farming Laurel Glen Vineyard organically. The effect of our organic farming practices were perhaps most noticeable in 2021, which was a drought year. Overall yields were down in Sonoma County, but not in our vineyard. Instead, we harvested a bumper crop. Vineyards not far from ours showed visible signs of drought-induced stress in the form of leaves turning yellow and falling before harvest. Our vineyard, on the other hand, remained green and physiologically active well into harvest.
Randall (our winemaker) and I believe that the most significant difference to the wine, resulting from the many changes to farming, is probably in the mid-palate – i.e. what you taste in the middle of your mouth. The wines up until 2011 had a leanness that took close to a decade of bottle age to flesh out. Beginning in 2011, and every vintage of Laurel Glen Cabernet Sauvignon since, the wine has a beautiful, immediate richness that softens the impression of the tannins and acidity and allows you to enjoy the wine even when young. That said, after more than a decade in the bottle, the differences pre- and post-2011 are quite subtle.
What hasn’t changed in 40 years is a distinct sense of place. Although Mother Nature leaves her unique stamp on each vintage, the wines are all related to one another by the minerality and freshness typical of this site. Additionally, the stylistic goals for our flagship Estate Cabernet haven’t changed. We still strive for elegance without over-extraction, a balance of acidity and fruit ripeness, and age-ability.
The Evolution in the Bottle
One of the hallmarks of great Cabernet Sauvignon is its ability to evolve and develop with age. Wine is a living thing and like all living things, it will evolve with time. Aged wines display complexities and flavors that one cannot find in their younger counterparts. There are clear changes to smell, taste and color as a wine evolves from young to mature to aged. Our Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted to stand the test of time. Here’s how the wine transforms over the decades:
- Young Laurel Glen Vineyard Estate Cabernet Sauvignon tends to look dark purple and opaque in the glass with powerful aromas of ripe berries.
- Mature Estate Cabernets (approximately 10-15 years old) tends to hue more towards the red color spectrum. The color will still be opaque, but the fruit aromas should be more subtle, allowing mineral and savory undertones to show through.
- A genuinely aged Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, at least 20 years old, will show its age most notably in its color: the color will become more transparent and likely transition from red to brick orange at the rim of the glass. Additionally, an aged wine is more likely to exhibit earthy aromas vs. fruit aromas. The big payoff to drinking older Cabernet Sauvignon is in the finish. The tannins lose their grip and turn silky, creating a smooth and elegant drinking experience.
The Evolution in the Glass
To truly appreciate the evolution of our Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, we invite you to join us for a special new tasting experience in our elegant Glen Ellen Tasting Room.
Our new Evolution of Cabernet tasting showcases wines from our Estate vineyard spanning over 30 years, offering a rare opportunity to experience first-hand how Cabernet Sauvignon evolves over decades. There is no better way to appreciate the unique qualities of our organically farmed Sonoma Mountain Estate vineyard than to experience its evolution in the glass. From beautifully aged vintages that reveal the power of time to more recent releases that highlight the refinement of our craft, this experience is a tribute to the legacy we’ve built—one glass at a time.
A Toast to You—Our Wine Club Members
As we celebrate 40 years of Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, we also celebrate you—our members who have been part of this journey. Every bottle opened, every toast shared, and every memory made with our wine has been a part of this story.
So raise a glass with us:
To 40 years of winemaking, to the love of the craft, and to you—our friends, our family, and the heart of our wine community. Here’s to the next 40 years of beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon!
Cheers! 🍷
