• Animo

Animo

The Animo Vineyard in the Foss Valley subzone of the Atlas Peak AVA is situated in the southeastern quadrant of Napa Valley.  The 15-acre vineyard rises from an elevation of 1,270 to 1,350 feet and features rolling hills and varied exposures. Atlas Peak's stony, volcanic terroir supplies structured Cabernet Sauvignon from a temperate, high elevation zone of Napa Valley that soars above the fog that regularly blankets the southern reaches of the valley. The Animo Vineyard provides fruit for the Animo Cabernet Sauvignon. Under the same label is the Animo Heritage Sauvignon Blanc. In 2006, Michael Mondavi Family Estate acquired Sauvignon Blanc vine cuttings from Oakville’s To Kalon Vineyard, which is thought to be the oldest surviving Sauvignon Blanc material in North America. When the new vineyard was planted, Michael Mondavi Family Estate selected the same rootstock and trellising used in the 19th century to further preserve the historical method of grape growing and the remarkable living history of the plant genetics.

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.