Neyers Vineyards Bruce's Journal
Some History Behind Neyers Winery
By Bruce Neyers
Wednesday 24th May, 2023
Chuck Cramer takes a look at Neyers Vineyards
One of the most interesting people I’ve met this year is Chuck Cramer, a California native who, in addition to his role as a London-based wine sales executive, airs a weekly Podcast called ‘On the Road with Mr. CA Wine’. I was introduced to Chuck by my TFE colleague John Plahs, and in late April Chuck’s first of two Neyers Vineyards Podcasts was aired. Here’s the connection information if you’d like to listen in:
Part 1 – listen here
Chuck and I talked for almost an hour, so set aside some time.
More importantly, Chuck knows California wine, and after the Podcast, he airs his take on our 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Napa Valley’, selected as his Wine of the Week. His comments are both positive and incisive. Here’s what he had to say:
2018 Neyers Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Napa Valley’
“This cracker of a Napa red explodes with aromas of blackberry, black cherry, dark plum and peach, with notes of vanilla bean and black olive. This red wonder is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, and is sourced from the Ron Smith Vineyard in Oak Knoll.”
Wisteria in bloom is one of the first signs that spring is here. This is the archway of wisteria that leads from our house to our home vineyards, showing off their colors at the peak of spring. Barbara planted these two vines in 1995.
Newly formed Cabernet Sauvignon clusters are another sign that spring is upon us. In a week or two, the cap stem will dry up and fall off, the individual flowers will open up to self-pollinate, and the fertilized flowers will begin to develop into grapes for our 2023 vintage.
Ron Smith’s Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard at dusk. The vineyard is in the colder, southern-most section of the Oak Knoll AVA, so the acidity makes for a bright, fresh wine, with beautiful dark coloring.
