Fig Tree Vineyard
Fig Tree Vineyard, purchased in 1949, is located in Napa Valley at the northeast edge of the St. Helena appellation. Two fig trees guard this prized property, which grows some of our rarest estate wines. One fig tree was a precious gift to Van Ballentine from dear friends Rex and Jean Urvani, who brought it from her hometown in Italy. The trees produce delicious figs we enjoy eating in late summer while anticipating the pending harvest.
Of the three Ballentine vineyards, Fig Tree is shaded from the early morning sun and is usually the last of our sites to ripen. Peak exposure happens late in the day when the sun hangs low over the Mayacamas and the ground has warmed up. The rocky and loamy soil helps de-vigorate the vines and improve the tannin structure of the grapes from this vineyard.
This historic vineyard has consistently produced elegant, complex red wines for over 70 years, richly textured expressions of its unique terroir. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc are grown in this special vineyard. Several of our most prized single vineyard estate-grown wines come from Fig Tree Vineyard and include:
Malbec
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Franc ~ Coming 2024
Merlot ~ Coming 2024