M By Michael Mondavi
Michael Mondavi’s vision for a great Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. M starts with Cabernet Sauvignon vines planted to Cabernet Clone 4 on 110R rootstock, which produces structured fruit with ample tannins and acid to balance the concentrated dark fruit flavors. In order to perfect his process, Rob Mondavi, Jr. consulted with viticulturist Danny Schuster to help unlock the secrets of his family’s Animo Vineyard. Rob and Danny harness an organic natural approach to the vineyard that exemplifies the beautifully, unique attributes of this site.
For four generations, the Mondavi family has crafted world-class wines in the Napa Valley. In 1999, Michael Mondavi, together with wife Isabel, son Rob Jr., and daughter Dina, purchased the land to plant the Animo vineyard in Atlas Peak, establishing the Michael Mondavi Family Estate. Today, the estate is comprised of Animo and Oso Vineyards, two distinct sites with unique growing conditions and terroirs, and the family makes wines under the Animo, Emblem, Isabel Mondavi, and M by Michael Mondavi names.
The Animo Vineyard is situated in the Foss Valley subzone in the southeastern quadrant of Napa Valley. The 15-acre parcel is planted nearly entirely to Cabernet Sauvignon and is comprised of a relatively uniform rocky, volcanic soil infused with streaks of iron. The vine rows climb Atlas Peak from an elevation of 1,200 to 1,350 feet overlooking the southern end of Napa Valley.
The second property of the Michael Mondavi Family Estate is the Oso Vineyard. This 95-acre, thirty-year-old vineyard is nestled between Ink Grade and Howell Mountain in northeastern Napa Valley, with stone-lined terraces sloping at an elevation of over 1,200 feet. Purchased by the Michael Mondavi family in 2006, the Oso Vineyard draws its name from the Spanish word for bear, a reference to those that frequent the vineyard to feast on ripe grapes in the fall.
