Calafia 10 Items

Calafia Cellars is owned by Randle Johnson. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Randle attended the University of California at Davis and graduated in 1974 with a masters in Viticulture. Randle's first position was as a viticulturist with Souverain Winery in Rutherford. A year later he moved into the winery division there and became assistant to winemaker Phil Baxter. In 1977 Randle moved to Mayacamas Vineyards in the capacity of Cellarmaster. He realized the unique vineyard environment of Mount Veeder and began to study the climate, soils, vineyards, and wines of the region. After three years at Mayacamas, Randle started Calafia Cellars. Using grapes from both the Napa and Sonoma sides of Mount Veeder, he made Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, and Sauvignon Blanc under the Calafia label. In 1980 Randle accepted a position at the Stag's Leap Winery where he worked until 1982 developing the wine production at the Estate. In 1983 he began working as consultant to Donald Hess in his new wine venture on Mount Veeder and in 1985 he accepted a fulltime position as Senior Winemaker at Hess Collection. In order to avoid any conflict in his new capacity, he agreed to limit production under the Calafia label to his Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from a small vineyard situated on Mount Veeder. The vineyard is owned by James Konrad and has been the source of a series of powerful, yet elegant Cabernets. Today Randle continues his job at Hess as Senior Winemaker. He produces less than 200 cases annually of the Calafia Konrad Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.