Proprietors Caren and Nick Orum Are Pledging All Earnings to Local and Environmental Causes
(St Helena, Calif. – March 19, 2024) – Caren and Nick Orum, proprietors of Arborum Napa Valley, today announced the forthcoming launch of their first wines in Fall 2024. The inaugural wines, a 2021 Proprietary Red Wine ($265) from their historic St. Helena hillside vineyard and a 2022 Proprietary White Wine ($125), are crafted by prestigious winemaker Andy Erickson. The Orums are committed to supporting their community and environmental causes as part of their mission. To that end, in conjunction with the release of their first wines, the Orums are pledging $1 million to charities that support Napa Valley vineyard workers and their families, as well as environmental causes. Going forward, 100% of the net earnings from all wine sales will support these same purposes.
Founders Caren and Nick Orum have been residents of Napa Valley since 1999. After a detailed, decade-long search, they acquired the oasis that would become Arborum in 2013, falling in love with its location, fascinating history, and significant potential for producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. The historic 20-acre property, set on a steep hillside near St. Helena, is surrounded by esteemed neighbors, including Vineyard 29, Morlet Family Vineyard, Colgin Cellars’ Tychson Hill Vineyard, and Grace Family. The Orums were intentional in their approach, and it took more than ten additional years to establish the CCOF-certified organic Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard named Hidden Key.
History
On the east-facing slopes of Spring Mountain in the Mayacamas Mountain range, Arborum’s viticultural and winemaking roots date back to 1871 when it was established by Bavarian immigrants John (JC) Weinberger and his wife, Hannah Rabbe. Terracing the steep hillsides, they planted olives and grapes and built a successful winery. But after JC was tragically killed by a vengeful employee a few years into the business, Hannah took over and is credited as the first female winemaker in the Napa Valley. She won medals for her wines at international competitions and quadrupled wine production over a four-decade career ended only by Prohibition — while simultaneously serving in her late husband’s position as the director of the Bank of St. Helena.
The Estate
Over the following decades, the property languished, becoming so overgrown that when the Orums arrived in 2013, the historic terracing and olive orchard were hidden from sight. Extensive slope and soil studies were done before Renteria Vineyard Management was brought on in 2019 to plant narrow rows of Cabernet Sauvignon within the hillside parcel of Arborum’s 20 acres. Renteria’s farming at Arborum is done entirely by hand, with vine-by-vine attention to detail, precision pruning, canopy management, and the use of extensive technology to maximize quality and conserve resources. In their quest to keep the land healthy for generations and with a keen focus on environmental stewardship, the vineyard and olive grove were CCOF-certified organic in 2021.
In a nod to the property’s roots, the Orums revived the historic olive orchard of trees on the terraced hillside. Still, most of the property remains intentionally forested, providing a secluded natural environment that is hard to find in this world-class wine region.
Wines and Winemaking
Arborum’s first wines crafted by revered winemaker Andy Erickson will debut in Fall 2024. The 2022 Proprietary White is a graceful blend of 37% Sauvignon Musqué, 33% Sauvignon Blanc, and 30% Semillon, and comes from Coombsville. The 2021 Proprietary Red is a blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon from Arborum’s Hidden Key Vineyard with 5% Cabernet Franc from Pritchard Hill. Arborum intends to add an Estate Cabernet Sauvignon to the portfolio in the coming years. Their total production will be approximately 500 cases annually.
Giving
The Orums will donate 100% of the net earnings from Arborum wine sales to support the people and their families who work in Napa Valley vineyards through donations to education, healthcare, and social services, as well as to organizations focused on environmental conservation. Their commitment to non-profit work goes beyond financial contributions. Nick Orum volunteers weekly in a restorative justice program with incarcerated men at San Quentin, while Caren Orum has leadership roles in several nonprofits.
ABOUT ARBORUM
Founded by Caren and Nick Orum, who purchased the property in 2013, winemaker Andy Erickson crafts two proprietary wines for Arborum. For the Proprietary Red, Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from Hidden Key, Arborum’s certified organic estate vineyard, located just north of St. Helena on the east-facing slopes of Spring Mountain in the Mayacamas Range. The Proprietary White is a blend of Sauvignon Musqué, Sauvignon Blanc, and Semillon from Coombsville, with an estate Cabernet Sauvignon joining the portfolio in the future. The 20-acre Arborum Estate features a CCOF-certified organic vineyard, olive orchard, and 1930s-era hunting lodge that is now the Orum home amidst a forest of 100-foot-tall conifers. The Orums dedicate all net earnings from Arborum to worthwhile causes with each wine release, and they are committing $1 million to local and environmental causes for their inaugural 2024 Fall launch. For more information about Arborum, please visit arborum.com or phone 707.307.5698.
