98 pt & Wine Enthusiast Top 100 | 2019 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville
11.12.12
“Gil wanted something that harkened to the old world but was also expressly modern,” says Larry Maguire, Far Niente president and CEO. Gil commissioned two designers to begin working on concepts.
Meanwhile, stained glass artist Tom Rodrigues was working on an installation in the Nickels’ San Francisco home. Tom offered to contribute a label design for consideration, and his concept proved to align with Beth’s and Gil’s vision.
Drawing inspiration from Alphonse Mucha and Louis Comfort Tiffany, the iconic Far Niente label depicts a detailed rendering of the Far Niente estate with the rolling foothills of the Maycamas Mountains behind. A frame of gold foil, intertwined with vivid leaves and grape clusters, is both a nod to the Art Nouveau and a window onto this Napa Valley vista.
The label has remained virtually the same since the first Chardonnay vintage in 1979, though Tom hand- lettered the back label for the first bottling. Printing the label proved to be a challenge, involving 4-color process, lacquer, gold foil, embossing and special die. Because of the many fine lines in the artwork and the multiple passes of the presses, keeping all components of the piece in registration (or perfectly in line) was, in itself, an artistic endeavor.
Ultimately, the Far Niente label continues an artful tradition established with the founding of the winery in 1885. A bottle of 1886 Far Niente Sweet Muscat found in a private cellar in 1998 bears a label attributed to famed American Impressionist painter Winslow Homer, nephew of John Benson, the 19th century founder of Far Niente.
07.29.19
Non-malolactic fermentation. Although the phrase doesn’t roll easily off the tongue, Chardonnays made without it certainly can. And it’s essential to our Far Niente Chardonnay house style.
LEARN MORE03.08.22
Meet Six Women Shaping the Far Niente Family of Wineries & Vineyards.
Two winemakers. One CFO. Two VPs. And the woman who helped launch Far Niente more than 40 years ago. In celebration of Women’s History Month, we sat down to talk with just a few of the women shaping the way we grow, make, sell and share our wines. From the cellar to the board room, these daring innovators and leaders share a passion for human connection and a sense of adventure.
LEARN MORE01.06.22
In anticipation of our annual Cave Collection release, we sat down with Winemaker Nicole Marchesi to talk about Far Niente's Cave Collection and the keys to making age-worthy Napa Valley Cabernet. Read on to hear what she has to say. Then mark your calendars for the January 17 release from Far Niente's Cave Collection. This year’s allocation is one of our most limited to date, with less than 100 bottles available for our most sought-after vintages.
"Each vintage is our opportunity to make our greatest wine. It's what inspires us in the vineyard and winery."
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