CADE Estate Winery

Environmental responsibility is the guiding philosophy at CADE, a name taken from Shakespeare who used it to describe wine casks, or cades, shipped from Bordeaux to England during Elizabethan times. CADE is part of the PlumpJack Wines group founded by Gavin Newsom, Gordon Getty, and General Manager, John Conover. The winery practices sustainable farming under the supervision of winemaker Danielle Cyrot to honor the land and the vision of the founders.

Beautiful Howell Mountain was designated Napa Valley’s first AVA in 1983 due to its prime growing conditions. CADE’s first vines were planted on the mountain in 2003. Fruit is estate-grown high above the fog line at elevations between 1,500 and 1,850 feet. The entire property covers 54 acres, 21 of which are planted with more than 37,000 vines. The rest of the estate has been placed in a land trust to forever remain as open space.

Grapes grown are primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with small parcels of Malbec, Petite Verdot, and Sauvignon Blanc. The soil is mainly tufa (condensed volcanic ash). This mountain terroir is inherent in the powerful, yet nuanced wines produced at CADE. Production stands at 10,000 cases annually.

The winery itself is Napa Valley’s first LEED Gold-certified operation, featuring energy efficiency, environmental quality, water savings, and other sustainable practices. Recycled and environmentally friendly building materials were used, including denim jeans for insulation and a steel dining table made from the hull of a World War II submarine. Solar panels reduce reliance on the electric grid.