With over 150 years of winemaking tradition rooted in its soils, To Kalon yields heritage you can taste. “As I walked the property, admiring its contours and vines, smelling the richness of its soil, I knew this was a very special place. It exuded an indefinable quality I could not describe, a feeling that was almost mystical.”
So recalled Robert Mondavi in his 1999 memoir Harvests of Joy. He was writing about To Kalon Vineyard, the fabled site of Robert Mondavi Winery and for six decades the source of its most exceptional fruit. At 450 acres, To Kalon is one of Napa’s largest vineyards - and its most distinguished. Named by Wine Spectator as “the most famous vineyard in America,” it is revered for the coveted Cabernets crafted from its harvests.
Yet what makes To Kalon so extraordinary is not easily defined.
It begins with the vineyard’s microclimate. Situated in the heart of Oakville, To Kalon enjoys a rare equilibrium between Napa’s warm north and cooler south. Afternoon sun is tempered by fog from San Pablo Bay, extending the growing season and allowing for slow, even ripening. Winter rains arrive just as the vines need them. Nestled between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains, the site benefits from natural airflow that prevents heat stress and enhances color, texture, and depth in the wines.
The soils are no less exceptional. To Kalon lies on a deep alluvial fan with excellent drainage, encouraging deep root growth and limiting excess water. Gravelly loamy soils force the vines to struggle, concentrating flavor and complexity. An ancient alluvial flow has created micro-terroirs across the site, yielding a remarkable range of grape expressions even withing a single block. Near the Napa River, fluvial soils add mineral nuance. This diversity gives winemakers a vast palette to work with.
Wine Spectator Magazine, August 2025
