Introducing Grape Culture
The Cranor Family launched GRAPE CULTURE in 2019 with the intention of producing wines from some of Napa Valley’s most reputable growers. We believe the name GRAPE CULTURE captures the underlying collective energy that exists in this Valley to grow world class fruit, produce wines that reflect their origins and continue to elevate on all levels. It also represents comraderie between farmers, producers, wine lovers, and connects us the earth. The pinnacle of all the joy this industry brings is the people you end up surrounding yourself with. Thats what GRAPE CULTURE is all about. Hard work, community, family, and of course the wine.
Proprietor Collin Cranor is a product of the Bay Area, and his family also has a wine business in Livermore (Nottingham Cellars). The 2019 Grape Culture wines were made in Livermore, but he made the move to Napa in 2021, building out a winery in one of southern Napa's industrial parks. "Now we have a bigger sandbox, more to play with, and it's fun again," said Cranor. Director of Winemaking Craig Ploof was hired in 2018, oversees day-to-day operations. Hyper-clean, quality-focused, with a selection of grape sources that is still being curated and refined, this is a Napa newcomer to watch."Joe Czerwinski
(June 2023 Week 1, The Wine Advocate)
The Wines
The lion's share of our wines are produced from single vineyards with the intention of showcasing the unique growing conditions of those places. We release wines three times per year.
Starting in 2024, our spring release will feature wines from Sangiacomo VIneyards, our neighbors in Sonoma County; as well as Cabernet Franc and a Bordeaux Blend from Sugarloaf Mountain.
Our single vineyard Cabernet wines from Oakville, Rutherford and Mount Veeder see additional aging and are released in the Fall.
GC, our "grand reserve" which represents our finest selection of barrels from the vintage and our “second wine”, HIGH TIDE, are released in the winter.
Origins
The Cranor Family has been in the wine industry since 2007, cutting its teeth in California’s Central Coast under the label Nottingham Cellars. Collin Cranor is a self taught winemaker and entrepreneur, and helped his family launch the business when he was 23. The brand quickly gained popularity for its focus on showcasing the nuances of single vineyards. Over the years the winery has produced a number of varieties from vineyards all over California and continues in its exploratory pursuit to this day.
The Name
The Name GRAPE CULTURE is an homage to Agoston Haraszthy’s book Grape Culture: Wines and Winemaking. Haraszthy is the founder of Buena Vista Vinicultural Society and was one of CA's pioneers. The book is a collection of journal entries of his travels through Europe visiting the great wine regions of the world in the mid 1800’s. He returned to the US with cuttings, winegrowing and winemaking know-how, and the cultural experience of what life was like in places where winegrowing is the core of a community. He believed California could become home to the next great wine regions of the world.
For his work traveling Europe and founding the Buena Vista Vinicultural Society in Sonoma Valley Haraszthy is referred to as “The Father of California Wine” and was instrumental in the foundational years of California’s wine industry.
GRAPE CULTURE SOCIETY
The only way to ensure access to our small production wines is to join our mailing list, The Grape Culture Society.
We release wines three times per year to our members prior to the wines hitting the market.
SPRING (March) - Vintage Debut
- SANGIACOMO, Roberts Road Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
- SANGIACOMO, Roberts Road Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast (coming pring 2025)
- SUGARLOAF, Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley
- SUGARLOAF X, Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard Red Wine, Napa Valley (Merlot/Cab Franc - coming spring 2024)
FALL (September) - Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
- OAKVIEW, Oakview Vineyard, Oakville
- GIII, Beckstoffer Vineyard Georges III, Rutherford
- NOSOTROS, Nosotros Vineyard, Mount Veeder
WINTER (December) - Flagship Release
- GC - Our flagship wine produced each year utilizing the very best vineyard blocks and top performing barrels. The wine is produced to showcase the discernable qualities of the vintage.
- HIGH TIDE - Our second wine, HIGH TIDE, is primarily composed of Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon and complimentary vineyards scattered throughout Napa Valley. This wine is produced only in abundant vintages.
The list works like a lot of wineries, the more active you are during allocation periods the more you have access to over time. This will include library releases, large formats and exclusive events to our top customers.
Preferred Membership
Grape Culture Society Preferred Members automatically receive 6 or 12 bottles each release, with the option to add more. Both Preferred 6 and Preferred 12 Bottle members enjoy a discount on all wines purchased during and priority access to our small lot offerings.
