As San Francisco residents, we are spoiled with the endless variety of impeccable wines that are native to the Napa and Sonoma Counties. In our quest to expand our horizons and our taste buds, we often seek to experiment with small production wines. In that spirit, I present to the up and coming Korbin Kameron.
In 1999, Bay Area residents Mitchell and Jenny Ming stumbled upon a piece of westward facing land located on the ridge of Mount Veeder. The 2,200-foot-altitude property’s picturesque views of the Sonoma Valley instantly captured their hearts. They decided to entitle the property Moonridge Vineyard.
After the purchase of the property they proceeded to clear the 20 acres of land and plant vines to grow five Bordeaux varietals; Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. Mitchell and Jenny choose to name their wine after their twin children Korbin and Kameron Ming, and from there, Korbin Kameron was born.
The finesse of their wine comes from a combination of the soil composition and location of the land which assists in the breeding of their elegant grapes. Only 1,000 acres of Mount Veeder land is actual plantable due to its terrain. It is the only mountain in the Napa/Sonoma area that was formed by colliding ancient sea beds. The depth and structure of the wines can be attributed to the cool mornings and hot afternoons that generate a longer growing season. It is this unique blend of variables that give the wine such distinguishing flavors.
The packaging of the Korbin Kameron bottle is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also award winning. It is a modern black bottle screen printed with a swirling design reminiscent of grape vines. Korbin Ming, the namesake and the Head of Sales and Marketing, tells Haute Living, “Packaging is just as important to us as the quality of wine. The up and coming Millennial generation of wine drinkers tends to focus on the visual appeal of a bottle just as much as the quality of the wine itself.”
In 2004, they released their inaugural vintage, which has been more than well received. It has scored 90+ point reviews and has won numerous awards that range from “Gold” to “Best of Varietal”. Nothing less is expected from their veteran wine maker, Bob Pepi, and vineyard manager, Javier Renteria.
Korbin Kameron can be purchased in San Francisco at Cask, located at 17 3rd St., or online at www.korbinkameron.com. For additional retail locations, contact Korbin Ming at korbin@korbinkameron.com.
