On a hillside overlooking Stags Leap District of Napa Valley, in 1997 the Husic Family set out to realize a lifelong dream. Moving endless rocks and sculpting narrow terraces that cling to the mountain's edge, we planted three small, extremely steep Cabernet Sauvignon Vineyards which peacefully coexist with the region's wildlife. These rugged, rocky growing conditions, combined with careful farming methods, have yielded a limited amount of magnificent fruit.
Julie and Frank Husic purchased their property in 1995. They quickly learned the county was preparing to pass an anti-hillside planting ordinance, and if they wanted to plant vineyards, they would have to do it right away. Jim Barbour of Barbour Vineyards, was hired to help facilitate this process. The permit was granted in 1996 and the vines were planted in 1997. The vineyards were planted on land never lived on before. The ground had to be cleared, dynamited and terraced for planting the three Husic Vineyards, totaling approximately nine acres. These vineyards can never be duplicated. The Husic Family is very grateful for the beautiful land they live on, and the incredible grapes produced by their three, small, rocky, steep vineyards.
The Husic vineyards are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, with a tiny amount of Petit Verdot for blending. The vineyards go from approximately 900 feet on the hillside, to the Valley Floor. Some of the vineyards are planted in the "official boundary" of the Stags Leap District, and the remaining vineyards lie above the "line" of the appellation. It took four years to reach a mature crop, so the first year harvested and crushed by Julie and Frank was in the fall of 2001.
This is an informative wine production highlighting the wines at the Wine Watch, in Fort Lauderdale. It is intended as a companion to Wine Watch Email offers. For more information please visit www.winewatch.com
