Inglenook

A Story of Cinema (and Passion)

Inglenook's fate is linked to two visionaries:

• Gustave Niebaum (The Founder): This Finnish naval captain invested his fortune to create a domaine capable of competing with the top Bordeaux wines. He had the château of iconic stone in 1887.

• Francis Ford Coppola (The Restaurateur): The famous director of Godfather bought back part of domaine in 1975 with the profits from his films. He spent over 40 years buying back the original plots, reuniting the vineyard and recovering the historic name "Inglenook" (which had been sold to an industrial firm).

The Terroir: The Famous "Rutherford Dust"

The vineyard extends over approximately 95 hectares certified in organic farming.

• Geology: The vines are planted on alluvial fans at the foot of the Mayacamas mountains. The soils are well-drained, composed of gravel and volcanic sediments.

• The "Dust" Signature: This particular terroir gives the wines a unique tannin texture, often described as a 'fine dust' or a very elegant earthy and spicy character, which distinguishes Rutherford from the rest of Napa.

A Franco-Californian Winemaking Philosophy

Since 2011, the technical management has been handled by Philippe Bascaules, who came straight from Château Margaux.

• The Style: Contrary to the trend of ultra-powerful, oaky Napa wines, Inglenook seeks the freshness, balance and moderate alcohol levels.

• Innovation: THE domaine has an ultra-modern winery with stainless steel tanks segmented by plot, allowing for surgical precision during the blending of the grand vin, the Rubicon.

Iconic Wines

THE domaine mainly produces three major red wines:

• Rubicon: The flagship. A blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from the finest historic vineyards (such as the plots Garden Or NiebaumIt is a wine for aging, complex and profound.

• Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon: More accessible, it reflects the overall elegance of the domaine and the Rutherford name.

• Edizione Pennino: A rich and spicy Zinfandel, a tribute to the Italian roots of the Coppola family.

Why is this vineyard different?

It's one of the few estates in California that manages to combine the opulence of Californian fruit with a typically European acidity and tannic finesse. It's a place where you can feel the weight of history in every row of vines.