Cimarossa

Cimarossa is a Howell Mountain estate whose name, Italian for "red peak," describes the distinctive red-topped volcanic summit that rises above the vineyard and whose iron-rich volcanic soils produce wines of deep color and mineral intensity. Founded in 2006, the estate occupies 16 acres of the steep, rocky terrain that defines the Howell Mountain AVA, with Aaron Pott lending his mountain-wine expertise to fruit from a site whose volcanic geology is dramatically visible in the red soils underfoot. The Italian name reflects the estate's Mediterranean-influenced agricultural philosophy.

The 16-acre vineyard sits on volcanic soils at elevations above 1,400 feet, planted to Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. The iron-rich red soils that give the estate its name contribute a distinctive mineral quality to the wines, with the iron clearly visible as a red tint in the ground. The above-fog-line position provides intense direct sunlight, and the thin, rocky soils force vine roots deep into the volcanic substrate. These extreme conditions produce small, thick-skinned berries of extraordinary concentration.

Aaron Pott produces a Cabernet Sauvignon that captures the volcanic intensity of the site with the polish and precision that define his consulting work. The wine is dark, structured, and mineral-driven, with the firm tannins and iron-tinged character that mark it as unmistakably Howell Mountain. The Cabernet Franc provides aromatic complexity and herbal notes. Both wines are built for aging and reward the patience that mountain wines demand.

Tastings are by appointment on the mountaintop estate, where the red volcanic summit that inspired the name is visible above the vineyard. The $100 fee includes the mountain setting and wines of genuine pedigree.

Cimarossa demonstrates the intimate connection between geology and wine on Howell Mountain. The red volcanic soils are not just visually dramatic; they shape the character of the wine in the glass, producing Cabernet of an iron-mineral intensity that is unique to this specific piece of mountain terrain.