NAPA, CA—Materra-Cunat Family Vineyard is situated on a fifty-acre property in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley where Chardonnay vines had flourished for more than a century. Upon buying the property in 2007 proprietor Brian Cunat gathered an expert team of vineyard managers and winemakers and planted Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier vines with the aim of producing exceptional fruit to transform into first-rate wines.



When I first tasted here back in 2016, I was impressed. I returned last week to taste their current release wines. All their whites are made from estate fruit. Some of their reds are currently sourced from top vineyards. Here are some impressions:

2016 Sauvignon Blanc
Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. $25 retail. Great for holiday meals or special nights at home. Crisp with subtle flavors that satisfy. Added plus: A good value.

2016 Chardonnay
Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. $28 retail. A delicious, nuanced Chardonnay.

2016 Southworth Reserve Chardonnay
Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. $65 retail. An excellent Chardonnay. 12 months in mostly new French oak. 1%-3% ML.

2016 Viognier
Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. $36 retail. Very nice. I appreciate the finesse. None of the "earthy" taste that can be off-putting in this grape.

2012 Right Bank Merlot
(Estate Fruit) Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. $50 retail. Smooth finish. Moderate minerality.

2013 Right Bank Merlot (new release)
(Estate Fruit) Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley. $50 retail. Very similar to the 2012 but with slightly more up front fruit.

2013 Hidden Block Cabernet (won't be released until spring)
Diamond Mountain & St. Helena fruit. (The 2012 was priced at $65. Forgot to ask about the 2013 price). Ready to drink with ultra smooth tannins.

Materra-Cunat Family Vineyard is open daily by appointment. Tasting fees: 5-6 wines for $25 (60 min.). Tour & tasting $40 (90 min). My thanks to Doug and Austin for their superior customer service. This is a very worthwhile winery to watch. Everything I tasted was very good... I recommend visiting to taste through their current release wines. —TS