Winemaker Nicole Marchesi Named Wine Enthusiast “Future 40 Tastemaker”
Napa Valley, CA – August 21, 2024 – Far Niente Winery, a cornerstone of Napa Valley’s winemaking heritage, is marking the release of the 40th vintage of its esteemed Cabernet Sauvignon this summer. Rooted in a deep respect for the land and an unwavering commitment to crafting exceptional wines, the winery’s rich heritage and exemplary wines have placed it among the most revered estates in the world since its inaugural vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon in 1982.
Far Niente was founded in 1885 by pioneer John Benson who laid the cornerstone of what would become the sixth stone winery built in the Napa Valley. During travels through Italy, he stumbled upon the phrase ‘Il Dolce Far Niente’ – the sweetness of doing nothing – and was so entranced by its poetic allure that he bestowed the name on his winery, capturing the feeling of savoring life’s simplest joys. In the years after Prohibition, Martin Stelling became the steward of the Estate, fueled by a dream to plant an uninterrupted vineyard along the prestigious West side of Highway 29 in Oakville. This vision blossomed further in 1979 with the unwavering dedication of the Nickel family, who preserved Martin’s memory and revitalized Far Niente. Their meticulous restoration earned Far Niente a coveted place on the National Historic Registry, solidifying its standing as a paragon of excellence.
The Far Niente 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon marks 40 years of winemaking excellence, and is a testament to the winery’s enduring commitment to finesse and innovation in winemaking. From its historic roots to its forward- thinking approach, Far Niente continues to set the standard for quality and elegance in Napa Valley wines. As the winery looks to the future, it remains dedicated to its foundational principles of respecting the land and striving for ever-more expressive wines.
The Nickel’s winemaking philosophy emphasized elegance and refinement, crafting wines reflective of their origins. Far Niente’s Cabernet Sauvignon, renowned for its balance, complexity, and texture, epitomizes this philosophy, drawing from some of the finest vineyards in Napa Valley. These Cabernets are crafted for aging, revealing layered flavors that develop over time.
“Our winemaking philosophy starts in the vineyard, thinking about how to highlight the special qualities of each site,” said Nicole Marchesi, Winemaker, Far Niente. “As we’re building our Napa Valley Cabernet, we like to start here at our home in Oakville, the backbone of the wine. From there, we add layers of flavor, texture and complexity with fruit from other distinguished sites, creating a blend that balances structure, power and richness with great acidity and elegance.”
Only the fourth winemaker in Far Niente’s history, Marchesi constantly seeks ways to elevate and refine winemaking. She joined the winery in 2005 as enologist and was quickly promoted to assistant winemaker before she was named head winemaker in 2009. Under her guidance, Far Niente has continuously pushed the boundaries of excellence. Over the past three years, the winery has focused on enhancing the celebrated Martin Stelling Vineyard, elevating fruit quality while improving the vineyard’s resilience to climate change. Recognizing her efforts, Marchesi was just named a “Future 40 Tastemaker” for 2024 by Wine Enthusiast. Every year, Wine Enthusiast’s Future 40 list recognizes a diverse set of tastemakers who are bringing the drinks business into the future.
“It’s an honor to be included among this group of thought-provoking changemakers. We consider ourselves life- long learners here at Far Niente and constantly seek to learn from the best. That spirit of curiosity drives everything we do,” said Marchesi. “Each vintage presents the opportunity to learn something new and to advance our winemaking to meet the high standards that have defined Far Niente for generations.”
The release of the Far Niente 2022 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon highlights a nearly perfect growing season. Ample winter rainfall helped saturate and revitalize soils, and a warm summer accelerated ripening, leading to fruit with intense flavors and fresh acidity. Though the harvest was smaller than usual, fruit exhibited excellent concentration. The resulting wine is of exceptional caliber, with beautiful depth of flavor and balance. Far Niente 2022 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (SRP $130) will be available directly through the winery and nationwide at fine wine retailers and restaurants.
Showcasing the winery’s exemplary winemaking and commitment to ever-higher quality, Far Niente also introduced Benson Vale Cabernet Sauvignon this year, a prestigious new wine that stands as the ultimate reflection of the Martin Stelling Vineyard’s remarkable character. The extremely limited release of the 2021 Benson Vale Cabernet Sauvignon is available only through the winery. Far Niente is also known for its Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, which highlights the distinct character of the Western Oakville Bench. In addition, the winery’s “Cave Collection” provides the chance to taste a bit of history – select past vintages of Far Niente’s Cabernet Sauvignons are available through the winery. Far Niente invites wine enthusiasts to join in celebrating this remarkable achievement and taste the history, passion, and craftsmanship that define every bottle.
