20 years ago, Krys and Randy Wulff, Stockton, California natives and owners of LOBO Wines, traded their bustling city life for the serene setting of the Napa Valley, embracing their new lives as vineyard owners selling their fruit to top wineries in the region.The Wulff’s first planted a small vineyard in the Napa Valley 20 years ago to see if it was fun. From their first planting, Wulff Vineyards grew to another 60 acres in Oak Knoll and on Atlas Peak. Twelve years ago, the Wulff’s began to make their own wine, and in tribute to the revered Hispanic work force in the Napa Valley, they created the LOBO label. “LOBO,” Spanish for “wolf” and a play on their name.
In 2009, the Wulff’s LOBO Wines introduced an excelled Cabernet Sauvignon, which was grown on 42 acres on the eastern ridge of the Napa Valley. In addition to breath-taking views, the 1350-foot elevation, along with rocky, volcanic soil and southwestern sun exposure offer ideal conditions for superlative Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. LOBO Wines has a property on Atlas Peak, where they’ve been producing premium Napa wines since 2007.The success and recognition of the LOBO label is shared with the vineyard staff, said Randy. "Mario Bazan has been our vineyard manager for 20 years... Our winemaker, Victoria Coleman, has built on a UC Davis education and training at Chateau Mouton Rothschild; she’s a star!”
Twenty years after planting their first vineyard, the couple have been recognized for their high-rating 2015 LOBO Cabernet Sauvignon. The bottle was featured on the cover of the December 2019 Decanter Magazine and 93 points by Wine Advocate. With only 100 cases of this top prize-winning $64/bottle Cabernet Sauvignon produced, it’s an affordable wine at Napa standards!
A Bit About ATLAS PEAK, from Atlas Peak AVA.
Atlas Peak is located in Napa County on the western slopes of the Vaca Range, which separates the Napa and Sacramento valleys. At an elevation of 2663 feet, it is the most prominent peak in the region.
Vineyards were first planted on Atlas Peak in 1870, and the area experienced steady growth in vineyard acreage between 1880 and 1901. At that time, varietal plantings included Chasselas, Malvoisie, Burgundy, Zinfandel, Muscat, Flaming Tokay, Mission, and Riesling. The first winery was established in the early 1980s, adding a new dimension to the region’s grape-growing tradition.
Today, Atlas Peak growers supply fruit to dozens of wineries in Napa and Sonoma counties, helping to create some of the finest wines in the world. In addition, local vintners and winemakers produce, bottle, and market their own brands. And since the region was established as an AVA in the early 1990s, producers now feature the Atlas Peak designation on their labels to help consumers recognize the regional characteristics and distinct style of Atlas Peak appellation wines.
1992 – Year Atlas Peak was approved as an American Viticultural Area (AVA)
2,663 – feet the highest point of the region is above sea level
11,400 – total acres of appellation
1,500 – total acres of appellation planted with win grapes
38 – average annual rainfall
Climate: cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers with temperatures 10 degrees cooler than the Napa Valley floor. A cool, mountain-influenced area usually above the fog line, the region gets full sunlight throughout the day, with nighttime drops in temperature.
Soils: rocky and volcanic in origin, basaltic red in color and tending to be shallow and well drained. Steep slopes, thin soils, and large areas of rock outcrop are the norm.
Signature Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Other Varietals Grown: Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Malbec, Marsanne, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Zinfandel.
Outside of the LOBO label, the Wulff’s sell 75 percent of their fruit to ultra-premium wineries that includes Lewis Cellars and Mumm. They hold back select fruit for their LOBO label, making less than 2,000 cases a year of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a red blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon called “Howl.” Additionally, the LOBO brand produces a Pinot Noir, Syrah, and a Chardonnay, consistently garnering ratings in the 90s.
As part owners of a new winery, The Caves at Soda Canyon, the Wulff’s invite the public to this Napa location to taste their wines. LOBO wines are available for purchase online at www.LOBOwines.com and can be purchased at The Caves at Soda Canyon. Public tastings are available at The Caves at Soda Canyon, located at 2275 Soda Canyon Road in Napa. Private tours and tastings of LOBO Wines are by appointment only via email: info@LOBOwines.com.
Patti Neumann is Founder of CITYPEEK.com & an award-winning website & blog. Based in Napa Valley & Baltimore, she is one of the region's top Social Media Publicists and Influencers on food, sips, hospitality & the good life.
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