Hundred Acre

Jayson Woodbridge, described as talented, flamboyant and visionary, offers 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon wines from his Hundred Acre Winery situated east of St. Helena in Rutherford, Napa Valley, California. His production technique focuses on hand pruning, hand selection of grapes, evaluation of the forest and age of the wood for the casks and extended aging of the wine. Robert Parker, wine taster and connoisseur, describes the wines as smooth and creamy with sweet tannins. Hundred Acre labels include Kayli Morgan Cabernet Sauvignon, Ark Cabernet Sauvignon and Ancient Way Shiraz from the Barossa Valley of South Australia.

Origins

Jayson Woodbridge was born in Canada but moved to Napa Valley, California, after a career as a Canadian infantry parachutist and later, as an investment banker. His passion and enthusiasm for fine wine spurred him to quit his job and begin producing his own wines. His purchase of the 10-acre Kayli Morgan Vineyard, located at the base of Howell Mountain, was the start of a stellar line of wines that are considered among the best in the region. The name Hundred Acre came from Woodbridge's idea that the Kayli Vineyard resembled the Hundred Acre Wood in Winnie-the-Pooh.

Production

Woodbridge is the main force behind production of Hundred Acre wines, with consultation from winemaker Philippe Melka. Assistant winemaker is Angelina Mondavi, daughter of vintner Marc Mondavi of Robert Mondavi Winery. Vineyard management is by Jim Barbour, advocate of sustainable and responsible farming. The debut 2000 Kayli Morgan Cabernet was followed by a Cabernet from the 15-acre Ark vineyard in nearby Howell Mountain. The Hundred Acre wines are of limited stock, available by client order only.

Dark Matter Zinfandel is grown in collaboration with Angelina Mondavi. Woodbridge committed two acres of Zinfandel grapes on Howell Mountain to the project, which began in 2005. The first vintage produced 24 cases; the second and third produced 120 cases each. The vintages are highly rated and sold out. New vintages are available by waiting list only.

Deep Time Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from selected grape lots and aged an extra year. First offered in 2001, the wine has had consistently high ratings. The 2009 vintage was rated 100 by Robert Parker.

The 2007 vintage of Hundred Acre Precious, harvested grape by grape instead of by the cluster, was given 98 points by Robert Parker.

Woodbridge also offers a line of affordable wines called Layer Cake from vineyards from around the world including Australia, the Puglia region of Italy and the Côtes du Rhône in France.