CASA NUESTRA WINERY & VINEYARDS

CASA NUESTRA (which means “Our House”) has produced about 1,800 cases of hand made wine annually since its establishment by Kirkham’s in 1979. Gene Kirkham aka the “Happy Farmer” continues to oversee all operations now in its 26th year. Long time friend and collaborator, Allen Price is the winemaker.

Casa Nuestra crafts several varieties including Meritage, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, dry Chenin Blanc, White Riesling, and two proprietary red wines called Tinto – unique wines made from rare, one-of-a-kind “field blend” vineyards. All of their wines are award winning and very limited.

The original vineyard producing their Tinto Classico was one of the first hillside vineyards planted in the famed Oakville region. It was planted sometime before 1956, at a time when some famous vineyards, which now surround it – such as Martha’s Vineyard, Far Niente, Screaming Eagle and Harlan, were prune orchards or cow pastures. This vineyard is a field mix, which means that it is not a homogenous vineyard planted to a single variety of grapes. Rather, it is planted to a collection of grape varietals, some of which mystify identification experts. It is a wine recipe planted in the ground, reflecting the traditional Old World practices that were common several generations ago. The Kirkham family acquired this unique vineyard in 1956. It was due to the industry’s growing desire for commercial, single-grape vineyards that these once common field-mix vineyards too quickly disappeared. In 1994, to keep the history alive, the Kirkhams took cuttings from the original Oakville vineyard and t-budded them onto vines in St. Helena until the entire vineyard was successfully reproduced there. Wines from the cloned vineyard in St. Helena are labeled “Tinto” while wines from the original Oakville stand are labeled “Tinto Classico.”

All of the other varietals used in Casa Nuestra’s wines are grown in the twenty-two acre St. Helena vineyard. Some of the vines located in the St. Helena vineyards date back past 1960. Throughout its tenure, Casa Nuestra has focused on maximizing fruit intensity through the estate vineyards while sacrificing only larger yields. They are committed to sustainable farming practices to keep the estate’s ecosystem in good health. Use of chemical herbicides and pesticides has been kept minimal and will soon be replaced completely by organic techniques such as composting, cover crops and even goats!

In the cellar, the fruit is processed with gentleness and tender loving care. Traditional basket presses, special low-impact pumps and a variety of French and American oak barrels are used to produce these wines of highest caliber and acclaim.

Almost all of Casa Nuestra’s limited production is sold to a loyal community of customers directly from the winery and through their wine club. They welcome visitors to taste in their little yellow farmhouse from 10 AM to 5 PM, seven days a week. They are “dog friendly” and picnickers are welcome.