Our Story
The Fenlon family's journey to Napa Valley traces back generations to when our ancestor, James, was born in 1820 in the shadow of Baltinglass Hill—a landscape in County Wicklow, Ireland, where farmers have worked the soil for over 5,000 years. Upon reaching adulthood, James left for England in search of work, leaving the agrarian lifestyle behind.
Today, Baltinglass Hill marks our family's return to the land, expressed through a single barrel of wine—aon bhairille—produced from a small hillside vineyard. Each bottle is a tribute to the hard work, the history, and the grit it takes to pull great wine from a slope.
Planted at approximately 1,000 feet above sea level in the eastern hills of the Napa Valley, the vineyard is 100% Cabernet Franc. The site is defined by loamy, rocky soils that limit vigor and reduce yields. Morning fog and cool overnight temperatures slow the ripening curve, while warm afternoons allow for full phenolic development. This results in small berries with natural acidity, moderate alcohol, and structural depth.Farming is done by hand using sustainable practices, with a focus on minimal intervention.
The vineyard's size allows for a level of control and selectivity at harvest not possible at larger sites. Each wine is produced as a single barrel, either as a vineyard-designate Cabernet Franc or as a blend incorporating fruit from the vineyard.
Planted: 2023 ~ First Harvest: 2026 ~ First Release (bhairille no.1): 2028
The Story of the Vineyard in Pictures
