This weekend Gary and I head out to Napa Valley to enjoy the 10th annual “Winter Wine Weekend” hosted by ZD Winery. Super exclusive, with the tickets selling out well in advance, celebrating the wines of this 50-year-old property, and the release of their ultra-premium, highly unique “Abacus” Cabernet Sauvignon.

Started in 1969 by Norman deLuze and Gino Zepponi, today fully owned and operated by the deLuze family, with the 2nd and 3rd generations carrying out the vision of their founders. ZD is committed to producing premium Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir with a focus on smart ecology, taking care of the environment while producing varietally correct, simply delicious wines.

What does that mean? ZD produces elegant, elevated wines that showcase the land, and the natural characteristics varying soil types, elevations, climates, etc. gives to the grapes grown throughout their 100% organically farmed estates, and sustainable vineyards they work with.

I will have more on the story of Abacus after the weekend, but today I am toasting their classic method ZD Anniversary Cuvee ($90,) crafted specifically to celebrate their 50th anniversary.  Blending 100% organically farmed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from their Carneros estate, made sustainably in their Rutherford winery, aged 11 months in barrel and another 3-years in bottle, hand-riddled, and then aged another six-month post dosage to create the Brut sparkling wine. Rich, elegant, and layered with brioche, hazelnut, ripe pear, apricot, and honeycomb, with thousands of dancing, celebratory bubbles.