Historic Napa Valley Cabernet Producer Makes One of Its Acclaimed Single-Estate Wines Available Nationally for First Time
Rutherford, CA – May 14, 2025 – On the famous alluvial benchland of Napa’s iconic Rutherford region sits Sequoia Grove, the family-owned winery known for crafting some of the most celebrated Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines in the Napa Valley. As it continues a path as a leader in sustainability, diversity of winemaking and gracious hospitality, Sequoia Grove announces the release of its acclaimed 2021 Tonella Estate Vineyard Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon for national distribution. This release marks the first time in its history that a single-vineyard wine from the producer will be available to such an audience. This limited production, single-vineyard bottling, which was previously only available to winery club members, will now be accessible to wine enthusiasts interested in discovering the singular voice of one of Napa Valley’s most historic vineyards.
“This vineyard represents a significant foundation of who we are and what we do as a winery,” says Jesse Fox, Winemaker at Sequoia Grove. “Tonella brings a very distinct character to our wines that heavily influences our house style, and I’m thrilled that we get to bring the single-vineyard wine to the national stage—it’s a special wine that shows what we can do at our very best.”
The Tonella Estate Vineyard is a cornerstone of Rutherford’s reputation as the preeminent terroir for Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley. Planted to vine in the 1800s, the vineyard’s modern story began when JJ Ponti purchased the plot for himself, and the neighboring property for his boss, the legendary Georges de Latour of Beaulieu Vineyard. Latour’s plot would become the renowned Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard, while Ponti’s became Tonella. Ponti passed the vineyard to his adopted son, Louis Tonella, who in turn passed it to his son Raymond. In 2006 Sequoia Grove, a long-term winery partner of the Tonellas, established control of the vineyard. They planted specific Bordeaux varietals to micro blocks to express the deep volcanic complexity of its prime Rutherford terroir.
The 2021 Tonella Estate Vineyard Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon is composed of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, and 1% Cabernet Franc, was aged for 22 months in 100% new French oak, and bottled with 14.9% ABV. The 2021 vintage—marked by drought conditions—yielded small, concentrated berries with intense flavors that created a powerfully balanced wine capable of aging for decades.
Located in the heart of Rutherford on Route 29, Sequoia Grove has been recognized for more than 45 years for its commitment to crafting award-winning wines that emphasize finesse and balance. Over the last two decades, the winery team has strategically identified, leased, and acquired new estate vineyards throughout the valley in places such as Mount Veeder and Yountville’s State Lane to further cement their breadth and depth of Cabernet Sauvignon production. This move aligns with their prolific sustainability efforts, both as a foundational participating member of Napa Green and longtime donor to the Save the Redwoods Foundation.
Upon release, the wine will retail for $135 and be available through select fine wine accounts nationwide. For more information on Tonella Estate Vineyard and Sequoia Grove, please visit the winery’s website at https://sequoiagrove.com/.
About Sequoia Grove
Established in 1979 in a 150-year old barn beneath the majestic groves of endangered sequoia trees, Sequoia Grove Winery is one of the pioneer Cabernet producers in Napa Valley and is a key player in the famed stretch of Route 29 that houses some of the most iconic wineries in America. During their 43 years of elite wine production, Sequoia Grove’s history of commitment to long-term sustainability—both from a climate and business perspective—has come in a variety of forms. Sequoia Grove has been highlighted as one of the first five wineries to be certified under the rigorous new standards of the Napa Green Program, which emphasizes responsible conservation burning, tree and forest preservation, restricted pesticides, water efficiency, carbon farming, and social equity inclusion.
About Kobrand Corporation
Founded in 1944, Kobrand Corporation remains one of the few family-owned wine and spirits companies in the United States. Kobrand’s portfolio of fine wine and spirits was meticulously selected according to a single, unerring principle: quality. This continued focus has made the Kobrand name synonymous with wines and spirits of the highest caliber for over 75 years. Kobrand is the sales and marketing representative of Sequoia Grove Winery. In addition, Kobrand is the exclusive agent for an outstanding selection of fine wines, spirits and sakes from key regions around the world, including the United States, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Japan, Chile, Argentina, and New Zealand. For more information, about Kobrand and our portfolio visit http://www.Kobrandwineandspirits.com
