OVID Vineyard
A promising young jewels of the Napa Valley!
OVID Vineyard was created in 1999 following the acquisition of 300 acres of pristine land on Pritchard Hill by Mark Nelson and Dana Johnson. They initially intended to create a second home for their future retirement but they quickly realized that this land was very conducive to growing grapes. For the anecdote Mark Nelson, before being in the wine sector, was the creator and owner of the software company ‘Ovid Technology’.
In 2000 they hired David Abreu to plant 15 acres of vineyards. Managing Partner, Janet Pagano, came on board to oversee the development of the vineyard and winery in 2002. In 2003 they surrounded themselves with the winem
aker Andy Erickson to advise them. He was joined in 2004 by Michel Rolland. 2005 was the first vintage for OVID. A year later partners, Mark, Dana and Janet officially inaugurated buildings. Currently the property produces 12,000 bottles per year divided into four wines (OVID, Hexameter, Loc. Cit., And Experiment).
If you go to the Winery you will be amazed by nature, the surrounding quiet and the panoramic view from the terrace over the Napa Valley, from Oakville to San Francisco Bay.
Focus on Austin Peterson, winemaker OVID Winery
Mark Nelson and Dana Johnson
“I began by engineering studies but I quickly changed to this sector because the previous one did not allow me to be outside. I was (and still am) very interested in oenology and wine. Oenology allows me to touch on different sectors, touching a bit of everything and in the end never do the same thing all the time. In this work everything changes every year. Each wine, each vintage and every blend is different. There are no two years that are identical, there is always something to learn and explore.
Although at first I was not interested in working in the world of wine instead of engineering but I grew up in a vineyard. In fact my father was a winemaker. After my conversion I started professional work in different vineyards to learn (Pomerol, Argentina, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand). Finally in 2006 I had the opportunity to return to California and work here, I agreed. It’s a great challenge to participate in the creation of great wines ! ”
What is the signature of OVID Winery in wines ?
“These are wines with a pretty bright fruit, polished tannins, balanced, racy (terroir), good structure, well balanced with acidity and a beautiful matter. The presence of a large percentage of Cabernet Franc is one of the markers of our wines. This is a rather unusual thing in the Napa Valley. We work a lot on this grape. We also have Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and a bit of Syrah. Our terroir is also very recognizable in tasting. In the mouth we mainly taste notes of black fruit, boysenberry and cassis.
We manage all our vineyards with organic farming in order to preserve our soils. It determines our harvest dates in order to have the freshness, acidity and nice fruit in our wines. The balance of the wine is very important. In the winery we work by gravitation to protect the fruit. The fruit first! “
Why did you choose to choose this place to create a vineyard?
Renowned vineyard manager David Abreu was so enthusiatic about the excellent quality potential for a vineyard that his passion was contagious. Initially when Mark Nelson and Dana Johnson acquired in 1999 this area they wanted there to build a second home for their future retirement. They had fallen in love with the view and the surrounding nature. They soon realized that they had just acquired great terroir for the vines. Being great lovers of wine they changed their plans and decided to create a winery.
There are plenty of places in the Napa Valley where we can make excellent Cabernet Sauvignon but only a few places where you can also make outstanding Cabernet Franc. We are on one of these very favorable place for this grape. Furthermore our altitude, climate and rocky soil cause the vines to struggle and produce small amounts of beautiful fruit.
If you had to describe your passion for wine in three adjectives, what would you say?
“I would say that wine is for me: the weather, the terroir and the history. ”
Do you have specific projects for OVID?
“It is a young winery. We are still experimenting. constantly seeking to improve what we do.
It is also in the process of doing testing (5 barrels) to create a white wine. We do not grow white grapes but we select from other winemakers in the valley to buy them. Currently testing covers mainly a composition of Sauvignon Blanc wine and a minority of Chenin Blanc, Albarino and Vermentino. A portion of the grapes remain in the tank, another is in oak barrels. ”
Where does the name Ovid Winery come from ?
“The domain name is a tribute to the Roman poet Publius Ovidius Naso of whom the founders are big fans. ”
P. Ovidius Naso was born a year after the assassination of the emperor Julius Caesar. He devoted much of his life to writing. He was very influenced by the letters, philosophers and Greek writers. Among the best known works are: Transformations, The Cure for Love, the Loves or The Heroines…
“In Metamorphoses the famous poet used the theme of transformation and change. The winemaking is this. It is the transformation of grapes into something sublime. His works rich and steeped in tradition continues to speak to us today. The name of the vineyard pays tribute.
Besides we have increased the nod by also adding on the labels Latin quotations of the poet. ”
Thanks to Janet Pagano as well as Austin Peterson for their warm welcome.
255 Long Ranch Rd, St Helena,
CA 94574, United-States
+1 707-963-3850
