Blackbird Vineyards
| Blackbird Vineyards | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Location | Napa, California, United States |
| Appellation | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley AVA |
| Founded | 2003 |
| First vines planted | 1997 |
| First vintage | 2003 |
| Key people |
Michael Polenske - Founder Paul Leary - President Aaron Pott - Winemaker |
| Cases/yr | 7,500 |
| Varietals | Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Distribution | International |
| Tasting | Public |
| Website | http://www.blackbirdvineyards.com/ |
Blackbird Vineyards is a Napa Valley based winery. It is part of the Bespoke Collection. Founder Michael Polenske wanted to create a winery that focused on producing wines from Merlot grapes, which fits with the name "Blackbird", as merlot means "young blackbird", in French patois. Blackbird Vineyards creates wines inspired by the Pomerol area of France. Winery president Paul Leary describes the wines as "California Bordeaux" wines.
Blackbird Vineyards was founded by Michael Polenske who purchased the estate vineyard in 2003. It was previously owned by Trefethen Vineyards. He left his career in finance and focused on creating a wine label and a lifestyle brand that would eventually become the Bespoke Collection; Blackbird is part of that collection. In 2006, Paul Leary became president of the label. Blackbird Vineyards partnered with country singer Martina McBride to release an exclusive wine in 2009. Blackbird Vineyards wine has been served at events for Chanel and the High Museum.
Blackbird Vineyards sells their wines online and at Ma(i)sonry Napa Valley, a wine, art and design gallery in Yountville, California. They also have a wine club called BlackMail.
The wine labels have flocks of blackbirds on them in different positions and layouts. The label was designed by California designer David Hughes and Michael Polenske. Hughes had designed logos for other companies such as French Laundry and the Sundance Film Festival. Blackbird's proprietary red wine blend, Arise, features blackbirds sitting on a telephone wire in the same layout as the starting notes in the Beatles' song "Blackbird".
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Wikipedia