Clark~Claudon Vineyards is the result of a dream, a risk and a lot of hard work. The family is that old fashioned variety that spends time together working and playing. We have a family business that reflects both a determination to reach for excellence and the ability to laugh and have a good time while doing it. The family includes Tom & Laurie, their children Josh and Briana & Briana's husband Brian Forgie. Our parents, Paul & June Claudon & Vance & Jean Clark have been a source of wonderful support since the inception of our business. Paul & Vance were actively involved until their sad passing in 2001 & 2002 respectively. We know they remain with us in spirit.
With a commitment to exceptional handcrafted wines and to the beautiful environment in which they are grown, our attention to detail began in 1998 with the development of our mountainside Cabernet Vineyard. In the eastern Napa Valley mountains the shallow shattered sandstone soils, cool evening breezes and excellent sun exposure are ideal for a low yield of small, intense Cabernet berries. It is there that our vineyard grows.
With twenty-six years experience as a vineyardist in the Napa Valley, Tom knows that exceptional wine begins with exceptional fruit. To that end, only state of the art viticultural practices have been utilized from the inception to the present. After deciding to plant 20 acres of the 117-acre parcel a three-phase vineyard development plan took shape. First from 1989 to 1990 the land was cleared, the irrigation reservoir built and the terraces cut. Then the initial vines were planted in 1990 with the balance planted in 1992.
