Flora Springs has a different story than most Napa estates. In 1977, Jerry and Flora Komes bought a 325-acre St. Helena property from the Martini family, intending to retire. The land came with an abandoned stone winery built in 1885 by two Scottish immigrants. Their son John had other ideas. In 1978 — the same year Opus One was founded — the Komes family released their first vintage: 100 cases of Cabernet, 100 cases of Chardonnay, made with home winemaking equipment.

Forty-six years later, Flora Springs is Napa aristocracy. They created Trilogy, one of the valley's first meritage blends, in the mid-1980s. They've grown to over 600 acres farmed across Napa. Three generations of the family have worked the same land.

In 2020, Daniel and Florence Cathiard — owners of Bordeaux's Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, a Pessac-Léognan Grand Cru Classé — bought the winery property and the Komes Ranch. The family retained the Flora Springs brand, and the third generation (Nat Komes, Sean Garvey) took over leadership. The 2023 Napa Cab is the first release under this new structure: French ownership, American family, same Rutherford fruit.

The wine comes from a single block of the Komes Vineyard in Rutherford. James Suckling scored it 93 and called it "the premiere release under new ownership and packaging." Wine Advocate gave it 91. 89% Cabernet Sauvignon with Petit Verdot, Cab Franc, and Malbec. 306 cases. Drink now or hold through 2034.