When winemakers a century from now look back on the technology that changed the game, one winery is going to stand out: Palmaz Vineyards in the Napa Valley. Though ordinary in appearance at first glance, an amazing array of custom-built technologies lurking in a subterranean lair bolster the winemaker’s craft with exacting science.
To those familiar with the brand, a bottle of wine created by the Palmaz Family evokes elegance, luxury, and the anticipation of pleasure on the palate. This was the ignition of Dr. Julio Palmaz and his wife Amalia when they founded the winery. And so, it remains today, as son Christian Gastón Palmaz and his sister Florencia continue the tradition stated by their parents.
The tectonic plates that slammed together to form Mount George and the other noteworthy peaks at the southern end of the Napa Valley had long since settled by the time that Henry Hagan arrived in California in 1852. Drawn north from San Francisco by the allure of untamed wilderness and unbridled natural beauty, the industrious Hagan founded Cedar Knoll Vineyard and Winery in 1881 and set about the business of viticulture with the spirit of a pioneer. Hagan experienced success with his wines, growing grapes in the unheard of Napa Valley and serving them mostly to locals in the Opera Houses and other upscale establishments of the Bay Area.
“Our approach is to farm the individual vines so that the fruit they produce all ripens together as a group. We’re trying to do that by employing technology that allows us to analyze macro-level data to help us understand the vineyard at the micro-level. ”
Geographic information systems, which are used to store, analyze and manage such geographic data as soil types, cropping patterns and rainfall, are the future of farming, says Christian Palmaz, president of Palmaz Vineyards, in the Coombsville AVA, near Napa, Calif.
“Tecnologically speaking, Palmaz is one of the area’s most impressive state-of-the-art wineries. The Palmaz family purchased the property, previously owned by Henry Hagen during the nineteenth century, in the 1990s with the idea of bringing back and enhancing its former glory. Julio and Amalia Palmaz, along with their kids, Florencia and Christian Gastón set out to create a winery that synergistically combines timeless tradition with cutting edge technology.”
Serves 12-16
Lunch on the patio begins with a small bisque. After having toured the cave, guests are generally a little cold. Arriving to the table with a warm bisque waiting is a comforting welcome. We vary the bisque depending on the season and like to feature vegetables from our garden. Also, starting a meal with a bisque is an easy first course; they’re made in advance and are simple to serve.
PEA AND POBLANO BISQUE
The winery adds crown to remarkable facility–comprehensive fermentation monitoring displayed on cavern wall.
See President Christian Palmaz interviewed on Cheddar TV’s Closing Bell to discuss the future of winemaking and the exciting technology featured at the winery and in the vineyard.
Whether you’re looking for a classic winery, word-of-mouth indie or an off-the-beaten-track destination, this is your guide of Napa Valley wineries to see.
