Bravante Vineyards

Bravante Vineyards is a Howell Mountain estate at 1,800 feet that produces bold, structured wines from rocky volcanic soils under the direction of Thomas Rivers Brown, adding yet another prestigious mountain address to his extraordinary consulting portfolio. Founded in 2005, the estate occupies 20 acres of the rugged terrain that defines the Howell Mountain AVA, where the combination of altitude, volcanic soils, and intense sunlight creates conditions that stress vines into producing fruit of extraordinary concentration and tannic power.

The 20-acre vineyard sits on volcanic soils above the fog line, planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and the unusual Malbec, a variety rarely found on Howell Mountain. The thin, rocky soils force vine roots deep into fractured volcanic substrate, naturally limiting yields and concentrating flavors. The Petite Sirah and Malbec plantings add diversity to a mountain portfolio that could easily focus exclusively on Cabernet, and both varieties show the depth and structure that the Howell Mountain terroir provides. The elevation produces wide temperature swings between day and night, preserving acidity and creating wines of both power and freshness.

Thomas Rivers Brown produces wines that capture the mountain's intensity with the polish his name guarantees. The estate Cabernet is dark, tannic, and built for aging, with the volcanic minerality and firm structure that mark it as mountain-grown. The Petite Sirah is inky and powerful, showing the variety at its most concentrated. The Malbec, one of the few produced from Howell Mountain fruit, is dark and spicy, demonstrating the variety's potential at extreme elevation. All three wines benefit from Brown's ability to manage extraction without overwhelming the underlying terroir.

Tastings are by appointment and take place on the mountaintop estate, where the elevation and volcanic soils are visible in the vineyard landscape. The experience is intimate and focused on the wines, with the staff explaining how the mountain terroir differs from the valley floor and why Brown's involvement signals the quality of the site. The $75 fee includes the full portfolio and the mountain setting.

Bravante contributes to the growing evidence that Howell Mountain's volcanic terroir can produce exceptional wines from varieties beyond Cabernet Sauvignon. The Petite Sirah and Malbec extend the mountain's reputation into new territory, and Thomas Rivers Brown's involvement ensures that the exploration is conducted at the highest quality level.