2018 Ink Grade Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Ink Grade Vineyard’s story began in 1873, when pioneers like Theron Ink carved vineyards into the rugged slopes of what would become Howell Mountain. Their belief in the land’s potential sparked a legacy that would later capture the attention of one of Napa’s most influential names.

In 1989, Heitz Cellar—a benchmark in Napa Valley—purchased the property, replanted the vineyards, and began using its fruit for their iconic Cabernet. Nearly three decades later, in 2018, entrepreneur Gaylon M. Lawrence Jr. acquired Heitz and appointed Master Sommelier Carlton McCoy Jr. as CEO. By 2020, they formed Lawrence Wine Estates and revived Ink Grade as a standalone estate led by Winemaker Matt Taylor, known for his precise, site-driven style.

Today, Ink Grade is a bold yet refined expression of Howell Mountain terroir, producing wines such as Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain Merlot, Andosol Red Field Blend, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Perched up to 2,200 feet above the valley floor, the estate’s terraced vines cling to volcanic tufa soils—a dramatic landscape that yields grapes with remarkable color, intensity, and aromatic lift.

2018 Howell Mountain Cabernet is crafted from the estate’s highest-elevation parcels. Hand-selected fruit, gentle fermentation, minimal new oak, and large aging vessels preserve purity, tension, and precision.

The result is a Cabernet of depth and energy—fresh, bright, and profoundly expressive. A true artifact of place, the wine stands as a grand cru of Howell Mountain, capturing Napa’s heritage while driving its modern renaissance.

Ink Grade captures that spirit—a wine of origin, history, and energy, uniting Napa’s heritage with its modern renaissance.

8 Months in oak tank, followed by 24 months in barrel (85% new)

ABV: 13.5%