Alpha Omega
A vineyard in Napa Valley epicurean synonymous, terroirs and a subtle marriage between an old and a new world
Alpha Omega is a winery nestled in the Rutherford AVA, located in the heart of Napa Valley on St Helena.
Highway. The winery was founded in 2006 by Eric Sklar, Jean Hoelfiger, and Robin and Michelle Baggett on the site of a former vineyard (Esquisse winery) established by realitives to the owners of Château Carbonnieux (Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux). The Alpha Omega team, seeing not only the potential of the vineyard but also of the location, embarked on major investments in the vineyard and also in the buildings. The old buildings were replaced with a new winery, tasting room and reception area. A research campaign simultaneously launched to find the best vineyards in Napa Valley to source grapes, such as Beckstoffer To Kalon and Missouri Hopper. Today, the winery is consulted in winemaking by world-renowned Jean Hoelfiger and Michel Rolland. Alpha Omega now produces eight different wines, both red and white. After ten years since it’s inception, Alpha Omega is recognized as one of the most esteemed wineries of Napa Valley.
Where does the name of Alpha Omega come from?
“Alpha Omega is the symbol of the beginning and the end; it is the first letter of the Greek alphabet and the last. We acquired this winery with US partners, so it’s an encounter between the old and the new world. The name is a symbol of this meeting.”
To me the architecture is also a sign of encounter between the old, tradition and modernity. Indeed the buildings are the result of a warm wedding between wood in its natural state, large and bright windows and modern touches.
Focus on Jean Hoelfiger, Alpha Omega co-owner, winemaker and consulting oenologist:
“I was born in Lausanne, Switzerland to parents who have nothing to do with wine. I started studying in law and in asset management. I didn’t like it. After a while I said ‘stop, this must change’. The wine theme kept recurring in my personal life, so I explored this sector. My godfather’s family has owned a vineyard (Fonjala S.A.) since 1552. When I first started I asked him if wine was the solution to my career questions, he made me taste with the oenologist all 62 tanks in the winery. Being young and novice in the sector, I spat nothing. I was so tipsy that I said I would never change work!
So I started working with Chasselat, Gamay and Pinot Noir, then I worked for various properties in France (Château Carbonnieux, Château Lynch-Bages), in Switzerland, in the USA (Newton Vineyard), in New Zealand, and in South Africa… And after all that I came back here to California.
My work in South Africa fascinated me. I was very interested in working with grape marc and lees. This experience was great.
I am a real enthusiast about wine and winemaking. Learning about wine excites me! Recently I was contacted to make a tequila. This is a project that I like. I can explore something new for me.
In 2014 we bought Tolosa Winery. There we discovered beautiful unexploited land, especially limestone. We have beautiful plans for this vineyard.”
A man that I can described in a few words: epicurean, human, natural, simple and in love with his work / wine.
If you had to define what wine means to you in a few words?
“I would say: poetry, emotion and mood. I think wine has increasingly a mood. We are looking more and more at wine profiles that match the state of mind in which we are. I think the beauty of the wine is its diversity. We must preserve this diversity of terroir and grape varieties.
Wine also has a social role. It’s role is essential and important in our societies. This diversity, rich taste and gregarious role are the two things that made me fall in love with wine. It speaks to me. ”
What is the signature of Alpha Omega wines? What allows us to recognize these wines in a blind tasting?
“It is always difficult to judge one’s own work. However from what I hear there is a different texture from other Napa Valley wines. Unlike wines that are found here too often, I do not try to make sleek wines, polished and over sexy. I’m crazy about tannins, this is the skeleton of wine! You need a skeleton of tannins and acid column. You just have to be able to round it and preserve the fruit. ”
For my part I would say that what characterizes the wines of Alpha Omega is structuring and quite present tannins. They are elegant and correct. There is a lovely matter and an acid frame / tension which gives to the wine an aerial feeling.
Click on the vidéo
Do you have futurs plans?
“Yes, We wish to improve the wines constantly. I don’t believe in a perfect wine ; it can’t be a reality. The only one that has potential to be perfect is the next vintage.
It is a winemakers’ role to doubt what we did. It can’t have 400 tests before making the wine. It is only one cycle, only one time per year. We must be careful in the winemaking process!
My consulting work allows me to learn faster because it gives me more tests per year. It’s as much an opportunity to succeed, to fail, to learn and improve.
Revealing the beauty of the terroirs, that’s where the magic of the consulting oenologist job!”
Do you have an anecdote about Alpha Omega?
“Yes hundreds of examples, Magic Johnson bought this wine to celebrate Christmas with his family. Another anecdote when we acquired Alpha Omega this property was previously owned by the cousin of the Perrin family, who are at the head of Château Carbonnieux (Pessac-Léognan Grand Cru Classé de Graves). ”
Thanks to Jean Hoelfiger for his warm welcome.
Alpha Omega
1155 Mee Ln, St Helena,
CA 94574, Etats-Unis
+1 707-963-9999
