Sky Vineyards
THE ESTATE
Sky Vineyards was established in 1972 a year after Lore Olds purchased a mountainous property atop rugged Mt. Veeder, one of the tallest peaks in the Mayacamas Mountains range on Napa Valley’s eastern side. Lore cleared and planted a small parcel of the property on eastern- facing slopes at 2,400 feet above sea level. The remote estate is situated in a small, protected valley amid the fog line and the property is comprised of rocky, red volcanic soils. The vineyard’s location offers more warmth in the summer than valley floor vineyards, and consequently colder temperatures in the winter.
THE WINES
Thy Sky Vineyards portfolio is focused on mountainous Zinfandel crafted with bright acidity and impressive structure, leading to age-worthy expressions of the varietal from the family’s Mt. Veeder vineyards. In addition to Sky Zinfandel, the family crafts a single- varietal Syrah and the Sky Half’n; the latter showcases the family’s Zinfandel and Syrah, couple together in an approachable, bold expression of mountaintop fruit with vibrant freshness and depth of flavor. Following regeneration after the 2017 wildfires, the family also planted planted Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Riesling and Chenin Blanc.
THE FARMING
Of the 200 acres of undeveloped land at Sky Vineyards, only 14 acres were originally planted to grape vines. The family has dry farmed the vineyards since the beginning, and has been operating organically and without the use of fertilizers since 1990. In 1998, the family decided to cease tilling the land altogether. The vineyards are farmed regeneratively and planted to Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Riesling, and Chenin Blanc. The family’s regenerative farming practices allow for conservation of the land, continuously improving soil health, preserving water, and enhancing biodiversity. In partnership with regenerative farming, the estate runs on solar and generator power, with zero electricity—the entire operation is off-grid, ensuring that the majority of the property is able to maintain its native habitat for biodiversity and wildlife. The vines are farmed and pruned by hand by Lore Olds, his daughters Mayacamas and Skyla—who have been a part of the family winery since they were kids—and Lore's nephew, Jesse Apgar. The family runs a boutique-size production, formerly crafting 3,000 cases annually; since 2017, production is 300 cases with continual growth to achieve previous production numbers. The family also farms and sells grapes to the local community in which they have been a part of since Napa Valley’s early wine days. Well-respected producers such as Bedrock Wine Co. and Desire Lines purchase grapes from Sky Vineyards.
THE WINEMAKING
The winemaking at Sky Vineyards is meticulous and thoughtful; the family pays close attention to not masking the terroir, hand-tending to the vines. The estate runs on solar and generator power, with zero electricity, and is off-grid—this allows the family to focus on farming and living regeneratively, with as little impact to the land as possible. Labor is all manual, keeping the land in tact. In the cellar, input is minimum; yeast and small amounts of sulfur are added, but no other additives go into the wines. At Sky Vineyards, winemaking is as much about heritage as it is about innovation. The grapes undergo fermentation in open-top tanks, with the family’s hands-on approach ensuring they’re carefully punched down three times a day. From there, they’re pressed using a cherished piece of history—a 1906 basket press that adds a touch of old-world charm to the process.
In their pursuit of balance, the family opts for one-year-old French oak barrels for their red varietals, offering a delicate kiss of oak while preserving the sturdy tannin structure that promises graceful aging. Depending on the varietal, the wines rest in barrels for anywhere between 12 to 18 months. Filtration is kept to a minimum, and in a rare Napa Valley practice, the wines are aged on the property in bottle for up to six years before they’re deemed ready for release. The current offerings include their famed Sky Zinfandel, with some bottles dating back to 2012 from their Old Vines, alongside the newly released 2017 Sky Zinfandel, 2019 Syrah, and the 2020 Sky Half’n—a harmonious blend of Zinfandel and Syrah.
