Land, Weather and Planting
Larkmead's soils are very well-structured and free-draining: Block A, planted exclusively to Cabernet Sauvignon, comprises shallow, rocky-loam topsoil over deep gravel, generally a very rocky soil throughout the A blocks until about 150 ft. from the river. Block B offers some clay, ideal for Merlot, while Block C, across the Napa River, offers the most diverse soils - gravelly loam with some underlying clay.
Foggy mornings, warm afternoons, and cooling breezes in the late afternoon give the Larkmead Estate a specific microclimate ideal for full development of concentrated flavors.
Our unique varietal and clonal mix, coupled with differing soils and rootstock combinations, provides a rich diversity of flavors and structures, and allows us to build the Larkmead blend "in the vineyard."
Block A
- Cabernet Sauvignon - Clones 4, 7, 8, 15, 191, 337, Olmo Selection and Jenkins Selection
Block B
- Merlot - Clones 1, 181, 314 and Red Barn Selection
- Sauvignon Blanc - Clone 376 and Musqué Selection
Block C
- Cabernet Sauvignon - Clones 4, 8, 191, 337, Gemstone and Olmo Selection
- Merlot - Clones 1 and 8
- Cabernet Franc - Clone 332
- Petit Verdot - Clone 400
- Malbec - Clone 9
- Syrah - Clones 470 and 877
- Zinfandel - Heritage Selection