Meteor Vineyard is in the heart of the Coombsville agricultural area at the southeastern end of Napa Valley’s famed wine appellation. This unique viticulture area in the southeastern end of Napa Valley is rapidly gaining prestige as an ideal growing area for classic Bordeaux grape varietals, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon.
The land is characterized by gently hilly terrain or toe deposits formed millions of years ago by shifting masses of earth. Coombsville’s “cup and saucer” geographical shape may make it an attractive destination for certain astronomical bodies. Other advantages of this location include soils that warm early in spring and a climate that is moderated by breezes from the San Pablo Bay, protecting it from the extremes of wind, fog and heat that prevail in many of Napa’s growing areas. Situated on a knoll, and unusually high at 500 feet, Meteor Vineyard is like a small, protected planet ideally situated to soak up heat and light. The vineyard enjoys slow ripening at the end of the growing season – crucial to the development of ripe, lush, red fruit flavors. The origins of Meteor’s water-eroded rocks, ancient river stones just under the soil, are a bit of a mystery, but contribute to the site’s fortuitous characteristics within a distinctive region.
Not long after Barry Schuler and his wife Tracy bought the land in 1999, they brought in noted Napa viticulturist Michael Wolf and planted it to three selected clones of Cabernet Sauvignon grafted onto different rootstocks specifically selected for the vineyard’s soil. Some of Napa’s most esteemed wineries were quick to recognize the superb quality of Meteor Vineyard’s fruit and have made it a key part of their wine programs ever since.
