Italics Winegrowers

Italics Winegrowers is a Coombsville estate producing polished Bordeaux-style wines from volcanic soils that were deposited by the same ancient eruptions that created the dramatic Stags Leap palisades to the west. Founded in 2008, the estate occupies 35 acres of the Coombsville AVA, a relatively young appellation that has rapidly earned recognition for producing Cabernets of elegance and mineral complexity. The name "Italics" references the vineyard's steep, angled vine rows, which lean like italic text on the volcanic hillside.

The 35-acre vineyard sits on volcanic soils that are geologically related to the Stags Leap formation, providing the mineral richness and excellent drainage that produce Cabernet of finesse rather than brute force. The Coombsville microclimate, cooled by proximity to San Pablo Bay, creates a longer growing season than the warmer appellations to the north, allowing the grapes to develop complex flavors while retaining natural acidity. The vineyard is planted to all five Bordeaux varieties, giving the winemaking team maximum flexibility in crafting their blends.

Winemaker David Jelinek produces a focused portfolio of Bordeaux-inspired wines that showcase the Coombsville terroir. The estate Cabernet Sauvignon is structured and mineral-driven, with the volcanic character evident in the wine's distinctive savory finish. The Cabernet Franc component is unusually aromatic, and the Merlot adds softness and complexity to the blends. The Proprietary Red, a Bordeaux-style assembly, is the flagship and the best expression of how the five varieties work together from this specific volcanic site.

Tastings at Italics are by appointment and take place on the estate property, where the volcanic soils are visible in the vineyard rows and the angled vine plantings explain the winery's name. The experience is intimate and educational, with the staff explaining the geological history of the Coombsville AVA and how it shapes the wines. The $65 tasting fee is moderate for wines of this quality from an increasingly prestigious appellation.

Italics represents the emerging generation of Coombsville producers who are defining the identity of Napa's newest appellation. The volcanic terroir provides a distinct fingerprint that separates these wines from the valley's more established appellations, and the Bordeaux-style blending approach allows the winemaking team to capture the full spectrum of that terroir. For visitors exploring beyond the familiar Highway 29 corridor, Italics offers a compelling introduction to Coombsville's potential.