Unwritten Wines

Unwritten in one of the most exciting young wineries in Napa, borne of a shared love of Napa Cabernet among a group of friends who made their dream a reality. The inaugural 2014 vintage was an instant sell-out, taking pride of place on the lists of two Napa culinary institutions: The French Laundry, and Press. It has since become one of the hottest tickets in Napa.

Story

The first seeds of Unwritten were planted In the mind of Founder Randy Wiggington, who’s story began when he joined an new startup in Silicon Valley called Apple in 1976. He was ‘Employee No. 6’, working alongside Steve Jobs. Throughout the new 20 or so years he gradually became exposed to the nearby world of Napa Valley, and his life was changed when he tasted a bottle of Araujo Estate Eisele Vineyard 1995. With this new passion Instilled, he went on to form Unwritten with his co-founders in 2014.

While a novice vintner, Randy brought a bit of the Apple philosophy with him by applying the exacting attention to detail and quest to always make something “a lot better” to every step of the winemaking process. With the assistance and support of his co-founders, as well as winemaker Mark Porembski and the amazing fruit from the historic Lewelling Ranch, such attention to exacting detail has resulted in wines that continue to win admirers.

Vineyards

Unwritten began as a single-vineyard Cabernet, using fruit from the historic Lewelling Ranch In western St. Helena – a neighourhood that includes some legendary sites including Beckstoffer Dr. Crane, Spottswoode, and David Abreu’s Madrona Ranch. The team have now added two more epic vineyards to the blend, creating a unique and quite stunning picture of Napa Valley. They are David Abreu’s Las Posadas Vineyard on Howell Mountain, and Oakville Station which is adjacent to To Kalon In western Oakville.

Winemaker

Mark Porembski first became interested in wine years ago while studying poetry and discovering that some restaurants in Boston’s North End were not perfectly strict about the legal drinking age. He moved to California in 2000 to pursue his interest in wine, eventually taking on the position as Winemaker at Anomaly Vineyards. Mark founded Zeitgeist Cellars, a wine label in collaboration with his wife, Jennifer Williams, in 2005. With experience that includes dozens of wineries in Napa and a stint in Hawkes Bay New Zealand, Mark brings conscientious selection and a commitment to simple and thoughtful creation.

Latest arrivals from Unwritten Wines

2019 Unwritten, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 12x75cl

WI97
Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage production: 136 cases Unwritten is a true insider's secret, known only to those with an inside track, this gorgeous Cabernet is a unique marriage of Oakville... and Howell Mountain 'Grand Cru' Vineyards. The inaugural 2014 vintage was an instant sell-out, taking pride of place on the lists of two Napa culinary institutions: The French Laundry, and Press. It has since become one of the hottest tickets in Napa. The fruit for this remarkable Cabernet comes from the historic Lewelling Vineyard in the western foothills of Napa's famed Saint Helena AVA, a stones throw from the Beckstoffer Dr Crane, Spottswoode and Abreu Madrona Ranch vineyards - the A-list neighbourhood. This is a Cabernet that ticks all the boxes: perfect bottle age from an epic vintage, drinking beautifully now, rare as hen's teeth, poured at one of the greatest 3* restaurants in the world. Four Corners Wine: "This 100& Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautifully structured and more savoury expression of the flamboyant 2019 vintage. The nose is full of inviting aromas of fresh bay leaves, a hint of star anise, lovely dark berries, framed by a lifted floral note of Spring flowers. There's a fantastic richness on the palate which is wonderfully fresh and energetic. It's the depth and structure of the tannins that really shines here, promising a brilliant evolution. The intense fruit of Oakville is married perfectly to the minerality and vibrancy of Howell Mountain."
£1,740 / Case£145 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £2,133.79 / Case, £177.82 / BottleAvailability: Future ArrivalPlease contact us to know more

2017 Unwritten, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 1x75cl

WI94+
Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage Production: 142 cases Unwritten is a true insider's secret, known only to those with an inside track. The inaugural 2014 vintage was an instant sell-out,... taking pride of place on the lists of two Napa culinary institutions: The French Laundry, and Press. It has since become one of the hottest tickets in Napa. The fruit for this remarkable Cabernet comes from the historic Lewelling Vineyard in the western foothills of Napa's famed Saint Helena AVA, a stones throw from the Beckstoffer Dr Crane, Spottswoode and Abreu Madrona Ranch vineyards - the A-list neighbourhood. This is a Cabernet that ticks all the boxes: perfect bottle age from an epic vintage, drinking beautifully now, rare as hen's teeth, poured at one of the greatest 3* restaurants in the world.
£146 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £178.99 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days

2016 Unwritten, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 12x75cl

Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage production: 103 cases Unwritten is a true insider's secret, known only to those with an inside track. The inaugural 2014 vintage was an instant sell-out,... taking pride of place on the lists of two Napa culinary institutions: The French Laundry, and Press. It has since become one of the hottest tickets in Napa. The fruit for this remarkable Cabernet comes from the historic Lewelling Vineyard in the western foothills of Napa's famed Saint Helena AVA, a stones throw from the Beckstoffer Dr Crane, Spottswoode and Abreu Madrona Ranch vineyards - the A-list neighbourhood. This is a Cabernet that ticks all the boxes: perfect bottle age from an epic vintage, drinking beautifully now, rare as hen's teeth, poured at one of the greatest 3* restaurants in the world. Four Corners Wine: "A model 2016 Cab with the elegance, purity and focus that shine through in the best wines of the vintage. Aromas of graphite, fresh cedar shavings and a light-roasted coffee note frame the delicious core of cassis and blackcurrant. The palate is so well balanced, showing the classic lift and energy of western St. Helena. The crisp, layered blackcurrant fruit is supported by crisp red berries, star anise and a ferrous note that wraps it all together beautifully, leading to a long finish. The Unwritten has a real touch of class and impresses through-and-through, and will deliver the goods for 15+ years."
£1,800 / Case£150 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £2,205.50 / Case, £183.79 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days

2016 Unwritten, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 1x75cl

Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage production: 103 cases Unwritten is a true insider's secret, known only to those with an inside track. The inaugural 2014 vintage was an instant sell-out,... taking pride of place on the lists of two Napa culinary institutions: The French Laundry, and Press. It has since become one of the hottest tickets in Napa. The fruit for this remarkable Cabernet comes from the historic Lewelling Vineyard in the western foothills of Napa's famed Saint Helena AVA, a stones throw from the Beckstoffer Dr Crane, Spottswoode and Abreu Madrona Ranch vineyards - the A-list neighbourhood. This is a Cabernet that ticks all the boxes: perfect bottle age from an epic vintage, drinking beautifully now, rare as hen's teeth, poured at one of the greatest 3* restaurants in the world. Four Corners Wine: "A model 2016 Cab with the elegance, purity and focus that shine through in the best wines of the vintage. Aromas of graphite, fresh cedar shavings and a light-roasted coffee note frame the delicious core of cassis and blackcurrant. The palate is so well balanced, showing the classic lift and energy of western St. Helena. The crisp, layered blackcurrant fruit is supported by crisp red berries, star anise and a ferrous note that wraps it all together beautifully, leading to a long finish. The Unwritten has a real touch of class and impresses through-and-through, and will deliver the goods for 15+ years."
£152 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £186.19 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days