Luxury Napa Valley Wine Winery Invests in Long Term Vision for its Growing Label
NAPA VALLEY, Calif. (April 6, 2023) — Acclaimed Napa Valley winery Memento Mori is thrilled to announce a new property acquisition that will soon play a large role for the boutique winery. Memento Mori has quietly established itself among Napa Valley’s most sought-after labels, known for the wine’s inspiring story, superstar winemaker, and 100-point Cabernet Sauvignon.
Memento Mori’s latest acquisition, a 17-acre estate at 4301 Azalea Springs Way in Calistoga, features a newly renovated 1887 farmhouse, a four-acre vineyard, a redwood grove, myriad outdoor entertaining spaces, a 5,750-square-foot hydro-heated cave built specifically to house fine art, and “Stone Sky,” a striking interactive piece designed by legendary artist James Turrell.
Turrell, one of the founders of the mid-1960s California Light and Space Movement, invented signature forms that intensified the experience of sight and perception. “Stone Sky” is the new Memento Mori property’s pièce de resistance, and hints at the label’s ever-increasing focus on the intersection between art and fine wine.
The Azalea Springs Way property, formerly known as Stonescape, was previously owned by Norah and Norman Stone. Prominent Bay Area art collectors, the Stones were known for the rare pieces displayed in their art caves (which included works by Marc Chagall, Jeff Koons and Andy Warhol) and the lavish parties they would throw at their estate for San Francisco society.
Memento Mori’s purchase of this storied estate reflects the high demand, growing success, and nascent cult status of its wines. The label has enjoyed a 100-point score, a growing waitlist for its allocation-only wines, and a triumphant showing at last year’s Premiere Napa Valley, where its top-selling auction lot was one of just two that sold for over $1,000 per bottle.
Founded by childhood friends Adriel Lares, Hayes Drumwright and Adam Craun, the trio were inspired to start their label after overcoming a series of serious health scares and family tragedies. The name Memento Mori was chosen for its symbology of the inevitability of death – which they interpret as “Remember to Live.”
“Ten years after we released our first vintage, this new estate feels like a natural next step,” said Drumwright. “The Memento Mori story – not to mention the wine – continues to resonate with people at an increasing clip. That’s why we never wanted to put a name on the bottle, but instead put a story on the wine. We are excited to further that narrative with this investment in Napa Valley and we have huge plans for what we are going to do with this property.”
Memento Mori sources from the most storied vineyards in Napa Valley. 100-point winemaker Sam Kaplan translates each site – Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard, Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard and Vine Hill Ranch Vineyard and others in the Memento Mori vineyard portfolio – with a deft, respectful hand. The flagship Memento Mori Cabernet Sauvignon has an SRP of $250 per 750ml bottle.
Memento Mori’s official plans for its new estate property will be announced later in 2023.
About Memento Mori
Memento Mori was founded by Hayes Drumwright, Adriel Lares and Adam Craun, three childhood friends who have together overcome serious health scares, family tragedy and times of trial with their unyielding zest for life and making every moment count to its fullest. A shared love of wine is a natural consequence of that passion, which inspired Memento Mori. An artistic or symbolic reminder of the inevitability of death, they interpret Memento Mori as “Remember to Live” – an ethos that’s palpable in every bottle. While Memento Mori wines capture the essence of the famed single-vineyard sites from which they are sourced – Beckstoffer Dr. Crane, Beckstoffer Las Piedras, Vine Hill Ranch, Weitz Vineyard, and Oakville Ranch – the winery’s flagship crown jewel is its Napa Valley designate blend. Superstar 100-point winemaker Sam Kaplan translates each vineyard site into balanced, terroir-driven wines that tell the story of Napa Valley, culminating in wines of intense, concentrated flavor and aromatics that reflect craftsmanship above all else.
