AD VIVUM is a story of a special vineyard, a seasoned winemaker, a meticulous farmer, and Mother Nature.

After many years of searching, Chris Phelps was introduced to Sleeping Lady Vineyard just south of Yountville by owner/farmer Larry Bettinelli, a fifth-generation farmer with a mission to do whatever it takes to grow Cabernet Sauvignon at the highest level.  After several years of collaboration and experimentation with Sleeping Lady Cabernet, Chris knew for sure that this vineyard was not just one more Napa Cabernet vineyard – rather, it was simply some of the most exceptional vineyard ground in Napa Valley. Based on this knowledge, he made the commitment in 2007 to begin his own winemaking project.

Winemaker: Chris knew his new venture needed a name as big as the wine it represented - and that is where Mother Nature intervened. Chris found the inspiration from a personal experience in 2005 that further drove his passion for life and his love of winemaking – being struck by lightning and living to tell the story.  Bringing together the Latin words AD (toward) and VIVUM (Vivere, to live + Vinum, wine) AD VIVUM was born – quite literally, in Chris’ mind – as the mystical intersection of wine and life. He started off his education at UC Davis looking to become a Doctor, but a love of France and a budding appreciation for wine led him in a different direction. By the time he finished with school he had secured an internship in Bordeaux that would have him earning his stripes under the mentorship of the brilliant Jean-Claude Berrouet, who served for 44 years as the winemaker of Chateau Pétrus. Chris returned to Napa and spent 12 years as part of the winemaking team at Dominus. He then spent 7 years at Caymus, 12 years at Swanson, and decided it was time to strike out on his own.

Vineyard: Ad Vivum Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in two small blocks at Sleeping Lady Vineyard, in Yountville, Napa Valley. Sleeping Lady, the southernmost vineyard in the Yountville AVA, is in a location that enjoys ample cooling from nearby San Pablo Bay, which promotes gradual ripening. These blocks are found at the vineyard’s uppermost western perimeter along the Mayacamas Mountains, with rows oriented southwest-northeast. The vineyard is sustainably and meticulously farmed by the Bettinelli family. 

Winemaking: 2017 was a mixed bag, with early rain and a few intermittent heat spikes.  Both the geographic location of Sleeping Lady and the close proximity of our blocks to the Mayacamas range were key factors in maintaining excellent fruit quality through harvest.  The berries were gently de-stemmed, and then sorted both optically and by hand. The must was cold-soaked for 5 days, and then fermented in 75% stainless and 25% new French oak barrels. Total maceration time was 20 days. Drained warm into 70% new French oak barrels for aging, the wine was bottled after 17 months.

Profile: This wine is classic and elegant in style, with tangy red fruit and supple tannins that are well-integrated. A touch of acidity throughout keeps it fresh within a context of subtle power and concentration, with highlights of cedar, dried herb and violets providing savory and aromatic grace.

430 cases produced