Dalla Valle
Summary
Dalla Valle is a family-owned cult producer crafting limited Bordeaux-style wines from their 20-25 acre eastern Oakville hillside estate, where red volcanic soils and optimal western exposure create ideal conditions for their Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc vineyards. Their flagship Maya blend and estate Cabernet Sauvignon undergo meticulous hand-harvesting and extended French oak aging, with production deliberately constrained to under 3,000 cases annually, ensuring the exclusivity that has earned them perfect scores from major critics.
Heritage & Leadership
Dalla Valle Vineyards was established in 1986 by Gustav and Naoko Dalla Valle in the eastern hills of Oakville, Napa Valley. The founders set out with a clear vision to produce limited quantities of exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends from their hillside estate. Following Gustav's passing in 1995, Naoko Dalla Valle took the helm of the winery and continues to serve as proprietor, guiding its development and maintaining its quality standards.
The leadership structure evolved when Maya Dalla Valle, Naoko's daughter (for whom their flagship wine is named), joined the family business around 2017-2018. Maya now serves as winemaker, bringing continuity to the family's winemaking legacy. The winemaking team has benefited from the expertise of Andy Erickson, who has served as consulting winemaker for many years, and Michel Rolland, who has worked as a consulting enologist, helping to shape the distinctive style of Dalla Valle wines.
The estate's position within the prestigious Oakville AVA places it among distinguished neighbors in one of Napa Valley's most recognized winegrowing regions. Over the decades, Dalla Valle has maintained its focus on quality over quantity, establishing a reputation for wines that consistently express their distinctive terroir.
Vineyards & Wines
Dalla Valle's estate vineyard encompasses approximately 20-25 acres situated on the eastern hillsides of Oakville at elevations ranging from 200 to 450 feet. This prime location features western exposure, providing optimal sun exposure while benefiting from cooling breezes that flow in from the San Pablo Bay. The vineyard is characterized by its distinctive red volcanic soils, which contribute to the wines' structure and mineral complexity.
The vineyard is planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, the two varieties that form the backbone of Dalla Valle's wine portfolio. These plantings are divided into multiple blocks based on soil composition and exposure, allowing for precise vineyard management and harvesting decisions.
Dalla Valle produces three main wines. Their flagship offering is "Maya," a proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc named after the founders' daughter. This wine has received multiple 100-point scores from major wine critics over the years. The portfolio also includes Dalla Valle Cabernet Sauvignon, which showcases the estate's terroir through this classic Napa Valley variety. The third wine, "Collina," typically features a higher proportion of Cabernet Franc. Annual production remains limited, with total output typically under 3,000 cases, maintaining the winery's focus on quality and exclusivity.
Philosophy & Practice
Dalla Valle's winemaking approach begins in the vineyard with meticulous attention to viticulture. All fruit is hand-harvested to ensure only the highest quality grapes are selected. Following harvest, the grapes undergo careful sorting before fermentation to further refine the selection process.
In the winery, Dalla Valle employs traditional techniques with modern precision. The wines are aged in small French oak barrels, with a significant percentage of new oak contributing to their structure and aging potential. The aging process typically extends from 18 to 24 months, allowing the wines to develop complexity while preserving the distinctive character of the vineyard.
The estate has implemented sustainable farming practices that respect the unique ecosystem of their hillside property. This approach to viticulture reflects a broader philosophy focused on expressing the distinctive terroir of their Oakville estate.
Dalla Valle's winemaking philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention, allowing the character of the vineyard to shine through in the finished wines. This approach has resulted in wines known for their structure, aging potential, and clear expression of place—hallmarks that have defined Dalla Valle since its founding.