Niebaum-Coppola Rubicon Estate Winery

Over a hundred years ago in 1870 the Finnish explorer Gustave Niebaum came to Napa Valley with the goal of creating a wine estate to rival those of France.  In the mid 1960’s his estate was divided and a decade later Francis Ford Coppola purchased 1,500 acres of the historic property.  Wine-making began again in homage to Niebaum and in 1995 Coppola purchased the remainder of the estate.

From making movies to making wine, are they so far removed, Coppola produces a wide variety of wine types but is best known for “Rubicon” named after the estate.  The first bottle was produced in 1978; it has a unique black cherry cola taste.  The rare 1979 vintage is now fetching $200.00 a bottle.

Coppola’s goal is to perfect Rubicon, to allow him the time to write and make another film that is more “him”.  There is no better place on this planet than Napa Valley for inspiration; it is filled with artists, great natural beauty and some of the best wines in the world.

The flagship wine of the Rubicon Estate is blended primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon grown from vines with the same genetic material that Niebaum brought from France in the 1880’s.

2006 is an excellent vintage for Rubicon; 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petite verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc.  Aged in 80% new French Oak for 22 months.   Release date is March 15, 2010. Suggested retail is $145.00.