History — Searching for prime, undiscovered vineyard land in the late 1990s, the Molnar family found the land that would become Obsidian Ridge Vineyard in the not-yet-formed Red Hills appellation high on the back side of the Mayacamas Range.

To Nicholas Molnar, patriarch of the Molnar family, it felt similar to finding Poseidon's Vineyard in the southernmost section of Carneros nearly 30 years earlier — an area untested but with great potential. Geographically, however, Obsidian Ridge was the exact opposite of Poseidon's Vineyard, whose seaside location is ideal for cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

At 2,640 feet, the site is  covered with black, glassy Obsidian rock — surely Cabernet country. So, we planted 105 acres of Bordeaux clones (including a little Rhône-based Syrah) on a piece of land that was formerly an abandoned walnut orchard. As the pictures can attest, there was quite a bit of obsidian rock to pull out. But you can’t beat the views. 

About the same time, other pioneer growers moved in, and now Red Hills Lake County, one of the North Coast’s newest appellations, is establishing itself as a premier Cabernet growing region. We’ve also gotten a bit of press ourselves. Come up and visit us sometime, won't you?

What makes this wine so special? Click on Obsidian Ridge Vineyard to find out more.