An expert vineyard worker harvests cabernet clusters by hand at M-Bar Ranch, photo by JH Hayes
Bettinelli team at Sleeping Lady: provided by Giancarlo Bettinelli
Rows of perfectly farmed Cabernet Sauvignon vines at Sleeping Lady Vineyard, photo by JH Hayes
Post-harvest, the vineyard leaves turn from green to gold at Sleeping Lady Vineyard, photo by JH Hayes
View from the western hills across Sleeping Lady Vineyard, photo by JH Hayes
Fog covered hillside behind Sleeping Lady Vineyard in late autumn. Photo by JH Hayes
Fog covered hillside behind Sleeping Lady Vineyard in late autumn. Photo by JH Hayes
Summer-blooming insectary at Sleeping Lady Vineyard provides food for beneficial insects. Photo by JH Hayes
In 2013, we were introduced to the Sleeping Lady Vineyard and to its owner, Giancarlo Bettinelli, by a mutual friend, Mario Sculatti. Subsequently, we came to know the other key members of the Bettinelli Vineyards team. Giancarlo’s father, Larry Bettinelli, planted his first vineyard in 1963 and was one of the original vineyard managers in the Valley until starting his own business 20 years ago. Giancarlo and his brother-in-law, Paul Goldberg, now manage all viticultural operations. They are a formidable team and the results speak for themselves. Sleeping Lady is one of the most meticulously farmed vineyards we work with.
Working with the Bettinellis, we have been impressed with their commitment to quality, using tried and true practices gleaned over Larry’s many years of farming, supplemented by sophisticated new technology introduced by Paul and Giancarlo to track photosynthesis and vine stress levels, set irrigation parameters, manage frost protection and more - the Sleeping Lady Vineyard reminds us of our farming practices at the Eisele Vineyard. The Bettinellis’ long term commitment to Napa Valley viticulture was recognized by their peers when Larry was named 2016 Grower of the Year by the Napa Valley Grapegrowers at their 41st Annual Dinner.
The 46-acre Sleeping Lady Vineyard, named for its shape nestled at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountain range, is located at the southwest boundary of the Yountville AVA. It was first planted to vines in the 1860s or 1870s; the original Victorian home still stands on the property. In 2013, the Bettinellis, who had been the property’s vineyard managers for many years, acquired the land; their extensive historical knowledge of this terroir has elevated the grapes grown here to grand cru quality. This heritage property has been a key component of Accendo’s blend since 2014, where we source from two different blocks. The Clone 7 is incredible, showing aromatics of graphite and roasted meats and a lush, full palate with lots of suppleness. The clone 22 is highly floral for a Napa Cabernet but the palate is sheer power with a mouthful of tannins.
