Rudd
Summary
Rudd Estate is a family-owned cult producer in Oakville, Napa Valley, crafting small-production Bordeaux-style wines from their 55-acre property where alluvial valley floor meets volcanic hillsides. Their meticulous approach combines organic and biodynamic farming with minimal-intervention winemaking techniques, including gravity-flow processing and native yeast fermentations, resulting in terroir-driven wines that command collector attention.
Heritage & Leadership
Rudd Estate was established in 1996 when entrepreneur Leslie Rudd purchased a 55-acre property in the Oakville AVA of Napa Valley. The estate, located on the eastern edge of Oakville, was previously known as the Girard Winery. Leslie Rudd, who built his success through Standard Beverage Corporation and Dean & DeLuca, transformed the property into a world-class wine estate focused on producing site-specific wines that express the unique terroir of their vineyards.
Following Leslie Rudd's passing in 2018, his daughter Samantha Rudd assumed leadership of the estate. Samantha had been working alongside her father since 2015, learning every aspect of the wine business. Under her direction, Rudd Estate has maintained its commitment to quality while continuing to refine their approach to viticulture and winemaking. The estate's leadership team includes winemaker Frederic Ammons, who joined Rudd in 2011, bringing experience from prestigious estates including Screaming Eagle and Harlan Estate.
Vineyards & Wines
Rudd Estate's primary vineyard is the 55-acre Oakville Estate, situated on the eastern edge of Napa Valley where the alluvial soils of the valley floor meet the volcanic hillsides. This location features a diverse mix of soil types, including iron-rich volcanic loam and gravelly clay. The vineyard is planted primarily to Bordeaux varieties, with Cabernet Sauvignon dominating, complemented by Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec.
In addition to their Oakville property, Rudd owns the Mt. Veeder Estate, a high-elevation vineyard on the western mountains of Napa Valley. This site sits at elevations between 1,600 and 1,700 feet above sea level, featuring steep slopes and volcanic soils that produce distinctly different expressions of the same grape varieties grown at the Oakville Estate.
The estate produces several wines, with their flagship being the Rudd Oakville Estate Red, a Bordeaux-style blend primarily composed of Cabernet Sauvignon. Their portfolio also includes the Samantha's Cabernet Sauvignon, named for Leslie's daughter, the Crossroads Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Rudd Mt. Veeder Estate Red. On the white wine side, they produce the Rudd Mt. Veeder Estate White, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.
Philosophy & Practice
Rudd Estate adheres to a philosophy of minimal intervention, allowing their vineyards to express their natural characteristics. The estate implemented organic farming practices in 2002 and has since incorporated biodynamic methods. Vineyard management is meticulous, with each vineyard block farmed individually according to its specific needs and characteristics.
In the winery, Rudd utilizes a gravity-flow design that eliminates the need for pumping, minimizing the harsh handling of grapes and wine. Fermentation occurs with native yeasts, further emphasizing their commitment to expressing the true nature of their vineyard sites. The estate practices hand harvesting, with grapes sorted first in the vineyard and then again at the winery on a custom-designed sorting table.
Aging protocols at Rudd are tailored to each wine, with their red wines typically spending 18-20 months in French oak barrels, with the percentage of new oak varying by wine and vintage. The white wines see a combination of barrel and concrete egg fermentation and aging, providing textural complexity while preserving freshness.
The estate's approach to winemaking balances tradition with innovation, employing modern technology where it enhances quality while respecting time-honored winemaking principles. This balanced approach extends to their vineyard practices, where sustainable methods are employed to ensure the long-term health of their land.