For more than 160 years, our family has called Napa Valley home, nurturing the land to let it speak for itself.

That philosophy has shaped everything we do at Taplin Cellars. While we’re best known for our Cabernet Sauvignon, every wine we produce begins with the same question: Does this vineyard have something distinctive to say? If the answer is yes, we believe it’s worth listening.

That’s exactly what led us to create our inaugural Sauvignon Blanc.

Why Sauvignon Blanc Belongs in Napa Valley

Napa Valley may be synonymous with Cabernet Sauvignon, but it is also home to some of California’s most compelling Sauvignon Blanc.

The valley’s diverse soils and dramatic shifts in temperature create ideal conditions for the variety. Warm afternoons allow the grapes to develop expressive fruit and texture, while cool mornings and evening breezes preserve the bright acidity that gives Sauvignon Blanc its freshness and energy. The result is a style that balances vibrant citrus and floral aromatics with depth, elegance, and remarkable food-friendliness.

At Taplin Cellars, we believe Sauvignon Blanc should express both the character of the grape and the place where it was grown. Rather than chasing an international style, we wanted to make a wine that could only come from Napa Valley.

The Vineyard Makes All the Difference

Working alongside winemaker Julien Fayard, we approach every wine with the same respect for place. Rather than shaping a wine to fit a predetermined style, we allow the vineyard to dictate the final expression.

When we discovered the opportunity to source fruit from Tom Gamble’s Riverbound Vineyard in Yountville, we knew we had found a site worthy of the Taplin name.

Nestled near both the Napa River and Conn Creek, Riverbound Vineyard enjoys cooling influences that slow ripening and preserve the grapes’ natural acidity. Those conditions allow the fruit to develop layers of flavor while maintaining the freshness that makes Sauvignon Blanc so compelling.

For our inaugural release, we selected fruit from just two specific rows of the vineyard—an intentional decision that reflects the same meticulous attention we bring to every wine in our portfolio.

The result is a Sauvignon Blanc that is vibrant without being sharp, aromatic without being overpowering, and textured enough to evolve throughout a meal.

From Apéritif to Sobremesa

Two of our favorite words that do not have direct English translations are apéritif and sobremesa.

Sauvignon Blanc has a unique ability to bring people together in a more relaxed way. It’s the bottle that is opened before dinner begins (the apéritif) and that still has a little left in the glass long after dessert (sobremesa). It is equally at home alongside fresh oysters, grilled fish, summer vegetables, roast chicken, or a simple cheese board shared with friends. In Spain and throughout much of Latin America, sobremesa refers to the time spent lingering around the table after a meal. The plates may be empty, but no one is in a hurry to leave. Another glass is poured, stories continue, laughter grows louder, and conversation stretches long into the afternoon or evening.

At the end of the meal, the plates may be empty, but no one is in a hurry to leave. Another glass is poured, stories continue, laughter grows louder, and conversation stretches long into the afternoon or evening.

Because some of life’s best moments happen after the meal is over.

A New Chapter for Taplin Cellars

Adding Sauvignon Blanc to our portfolio is about continuing the family legacy of seeking out exceptional vineyards to tell the Napa Valley story.

From our vineyards in the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains to carefully selected vineyard partners throughout Napa Valley, every bottle we produce reflects a commitment to craftsmanship, restraint, and a genuine sense of place.

Our inaugural Sauvignon Blanc is no exception.

It’s a fresh expression of Napa Valley—one that reflects the vineyard, honors the region, and reminds us that great wine isn’t simply about what’s in the glass. It’s about the people gathered around it, the conversations that unfold, and the memories made when no one feels the need to rush away from the table.