Rothwell Hyde may be the wine that most closely defines Abreu Vineyards, demonstrating what is possible when intention, hard work and Mother Nature come together.
The wine builds on fruit from Madrona Ranch and Cappella, sites hovering on the western edge of the town of St. Helena. With each harvest we discover how these two properties – barely a quarter mile apart yet entirely distinct - can be combined in infinite ways to make an intentional wine of purity and pedigree.
“Rothwell Hyde is blending at the highest level. I blend at harvest, co-fermenting grapes from Cappella and Madrona at the essence of ripeness. I also blend in the winery, elevating flavor, texture and structure as the wine continues to age. There is freedom in making this wine. Rothwell Hyde is an expression of Abreu, not necessarily a single vineyard.”
When David was growing up, the west side of St. Helena looked much different than it does today. Where once there were acres of walnut and prune orchards, now there are schools, churches and residential neighborhoods. They just happen to sit on some of the most desirable soils in Napa Valley.
Fortunately, these westside neighborhoods have maintained a patchwork of small vineyards dating back many decades, sites left undisturbed by the development around them. Cappella and Madrona Ranch are among them. As it happens, David lives equidistant between the two.
“Rothwell Hyde is everything we do put into one bottle of wine.”