How The Story Begins
The beginning of this story starts with a whim. One day while Jack and Dolores Cakebread were taking photographs for Nathan Chroman's "Treasury of American Wine", they decided to put in an offer to buy Sturdivant Ranch in Rutherford, Ca. The interaction was casual, like asking your neighbor for a cup of sugar. Sturdivant accepts their offer and sells the ranch to the Cakebread family. The year was 1972.
Here's a play by play of what happens in the years to come.
Two years later, Cakebread Cellars had their first winery built and released their first wine- the 1973 Chardonnay. By 1976, Cakebread Cellars had released their first Cabernet Sauvignon and their first vintage Zinfandel.
Over the next few years, Cakebread Cellars would experience several different obstacles and accomplishments. The year 1977 brought about a drought that would only bring them 9 inches of rain. The same year, they expanded on the winery. The year after, they came out with three more Cabernet Sauvignons.
In '82, Jack Cakebread went on to buy the 12 surrounding acres where he would eventually plant Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
Twelve years after the initial launch of Cakebread wine, Cakebread Cellars goes international, expanding their product overseas to places like the United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
The year 1989 brings forth another obstacle. Phylloxera takes over and starts killing the vines.
In 1990, Jack Cakebread served as the President of the Napa Valley Vintners Association, where he would become even more involved in the wine world.
Cakebread Merlot came along in 1991.
In 1994, due to the phylloxera damage, Cakebread Cellars completed the replanting of all 75 acres of vineyards.
In 1995, Cakebread Cellars decides to expand, again. They purchase a 60-acre chunk of land that previously served as an apple orchard. They use this land to plant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The expansion is completed two years later.
For the next handful of years, the process seems to repeat itself. Cakebread Cellars continues to buy land and develop it into vineyard sites.
In 2018, Cakebread Cellars received the California Green Medal Award for sustainability. They also received a Bee-Friendly Certification and are Certified Fish-Friendly.
History speaks for itself. Cakebread Cellars' goal to create quality wines remains apparent.
Quality and Sustainability
The Cakebread Cellars Mission
Quality and sustainability are two things that Cakebread Cellars takes seriously, very seriously. They have a passion for creating quality wines in the heart of Napa Valley, California.
Apart from creating quality wines, Cakebread Cellars follows several different practices, including organic farming, energy conservation, and extensive recycling. As the second California winery to achieve the Napa Green certification, they participated in the Certified California Sustainable Wine-growing program.
The goal at Cakebread Cellars is to complete their first greenhouse gas emissions inventory, a guide in their continued quest to improve sustainability.
Sustainable Practices
There are many sustainable practices Cakebread Cellars follows. They monitor for soil moisture and vine stress, helping them determine irrigation needs. Precise irrigation is significant to reduce evaporation. They value precision in soil and nutrient management, promoting vineyard health.
They have reduced their herbicide use, avoided using synthetic fertilizers, managed pH thoroughly, and apply microbial to improve the vine balance. Falcons are used for their pest management program.
The commitment does not stop there. They are committed to monitoring and documenting wildlife populations, limiting tree removal, reducing run-off, protecting the stream channels, establishing wildlife corridors, and planting native grass.
The tractors they acquire are electric and they are working to reduce the number of passes the tractors make each year.
Wines
Cakebread Cellars has a multitude of red and white wines. The wines reflect their passion for winemaking and wine tasting.
Here are some options:
2020 Chardonnay
Remember what the first release was at Cakebread Cellars? That's right, the 1973 Cakebread Chardonnay.
The aging process takes place in French Oak barrels over eight months.
If your palate appreciates the aromas of golden apple, peach, and light oak, you'll enjoy this bottle. Fresh acidity brings balance to the apple and pear characteristics and ends with a clean finish. You'll also notice hints of lemon mingling with the apple. It's versatile!
Enjoy it with an assortment of cheeses or grilled seafood.
2020 Sauvignon Blanc
The Cakebread Sauvignon Blanc is quite the popular choice!
The aging takes place in stainless steel tanks, concrete eggs, and neutral French Oak barrels over five months.
The Sauvignon Blanc starts with aromas of pink grapefruit, ripe melon, sweet citrus, and notes of hay. These aromas carry on into a fruit palate with crisp acidity and a hint of citrus on the finish.
Enjoy a bottle with a rich salad, grilled vegetables, or an assortment of light appetizers.
2018 Merlot
Aged for 17 months in new French Oak barrels and neutral French Oak barrels, Cakebread Merlot has deep, rich aromas of blackberry and black cherry and undertones of crushed stone and violet.
You'll notice concentrated flavors of blackberry and black plum. Fine tannins and fresh acidity bring balance to the Merlot. It's elegant and complex.
Enjoy a bottle with anything from a rack of lamb to a meatloaf.
Classic Red Wine Club and More
Cakebread Cellars has several different wine clubs that you can join. If you're a wine connoisseur or enjoy collecting rare wines, one of their wine clubs may be for you! You can become an exclusive member with many different benefits. You'll have access to the exclusive Wine Club Lounge and exclusive library tasting features. You'll have access to purchase library wines year-round and get a discount on current releases. And you'll also have access to virtual wine tastings and culinary classes, which are perfect for enjoying your favorite wine while food tasting the delicious recipes you'll learn.
If you become a member, you can enjoy Complimentary Classic Cakebread Tastings. With three guests of your choosing, you can enjoy a family tasting.
There are many clubs to choose from. You have the option between the Baker Club, the Cabernet Club, the Classic Red Wine Club, the White Wine Club, and the Cellar Society.
You can even gift a Wine Club membership to friends.
Whether you're a fan of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, or any wine you can think of, you'll be sure to find something you like at Cakebread Cellars. With an abundance of white wines alongside rich red wines, you'll taste the quality in each sip you take.
If you're looking for a convenient way to purchase Cakebread Wine, Liquorama is for you!
Check out our selection of best-selling Cakebread Wine.