Pope Valley’s Gratus Vineyards

Gratus (pronounced “grah tuhs”) Vineyards in the Pope Valley (a sub-AVA of the larger Napa Valley appellation) is a new find for me, and I am impressed.Proprietor Thomas Wargovich grew up in the eastern part of the USA and became a cardiac surgeon based in Florida.  In 2001 he moved to CA, purchased a 27-acre property adjacent to Pope Creek, and planted grapes there in the Pope Valley.   The winery name stems from the Latin word, Gratus, which means thankfulness or gratitude. Thomas’s family includes several doctors and scientists who often chat among themselves in Latin. The winery name ties his heritage and gratefulness together.  He, wife Victoria, and family have embraced a dream of producing wines for years.  They have 10 acres planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petite Sirah and a mix of white Rhone varieties.  Their boutique winery currently produces 500 cases a year.  Thomas tends to the vines, Victoria handles sales and marketing, and Robbie Meyer is the team’s Winemaker.  Their Pope Valley vineyards, boasting well drained soils, rise to an elevation of 1,000 feet with slopes of 3 to 15%.   Their skillfully crafted wines are all made from estate grown fruit.2017 White Blend; Napa Valley:  This divinely aromatic white blend is crafted of 50% Grenache Blanc, 15% Viognier, 15% Marsanne, 15% Roussanne and 5% Picpoul Blanc.  Smoothly textured on entry, it bursts forth with crisp green apples, citrus-flecked peaches, minerality, a pinch of herbs, and lemon-lime sorbet notes tantalizing the palate.  Vibrant and beautifully balanced with an exquisite mouthfeel, this gem concludes with a snappy and persistent finish.  SRP:  $292015 Red Blend; Napa Valley:  Here is wildly expressive red blend, composed of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec, and 5% Petite Sirah.  Bold and intensely flavored with layer after layer of blackberries, cassis, purple plums, earthy elements, savory spice, saddle leather, and tobacco.  Impressive with its purity of fruit, and toasty oak nuances from 22 months aging in 50% new French barrels adding further dimension.  The rich, full body, velvety texture and refined tannins promise age-worthiness, and the finish lingers forever.  SRP:  $752015 Estate Malbec; Napa Valley:  This highly aromatic Malbec leads off with a compelling floral, deeply fruited fragrance.  On the palate it is elegant, well-structured and richly flavored with black plum, Bing cherry, wild berry, savory spice box accents, hints of roasted coffee bean, and underlying oak nuances unfolding seamlessly.  Smoothly textured with firm tannins, I envision it to continue developing handsomely through the years. Delightful notes of cocoa peek through on the lingering finale.  SRP:  $552015 Petite Sirah; Napa Valley:  Gratus hit a home run with this classy, 100% Petite Sirah.  it greets the nose with a heady fragrance of dark fruit and pretty floral notes.  Powerful and concentrated yet marvelously balanced, with juicy boysenberries and blackberries joining plum jam, anise, fresh ground peppercorns and hints of leather filling the mouth.  The undercurrent of toasty oak from 22 months aging in 50% new French oak adds complexity without being over the top, and the tannins are firmly structured.  SRP:   $45Thomas is also passionate about horticulture as well, having secured a botany/biology degree from West Virginia University prior to completing medical school. Thomas parlayed that passion into an arboretum on their property, with over 1,000 conifer, oak, beech, birch and horse chestnut trees.  His vast collection of conifers (with more than 300 species), is one of the most extensive on the West Coast.To inquire about tastings, and/or purchase the well worth seeking out wines from Gratus Vineyards, visit their website at gratusvineyards.com.