Pym-Rae Tesseron Estate

Pym-Rae is still a relatively young winery in Mount Veeder in Napa Valley. It once belonged to the actor Robin Williams. After his death, it was taken over by the Tesseron family from Pontet-Canet and is now producing a new top Napa wine.

Mount Veeder is one of the most exciting terroirs in Napa, indeed in the whole of California. A large part of the area lies at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains, although it is already higher than any vineyard in Germany. The 300 hectares of land belonging to Pym-Rae extend up to an altitude of 560 metres. This high-altitude vineyard is the future of viticulture in the Sunshine State, which has been hard hit by climate change. It is still a Cool Climate Region, characterised by marine sedimentary rocks.

In January 2016, the Tesseron family purchased Villa Sorriso from the family of the late stand-up comedian and actor Robin Williams. In honour of his children, whose middle initials are Pym and Rae, the Tesserons have named the winery Pym-Rae Napa Valley Tesseron Estate. The Tesserons are famous for their outstanding cognacs and even more so for Château Pontet-Canet, which they have developed into one of the leading Grande Cru Classé de Pauillac. Many of the biodynamic methods, including their own herd of cows, dry farming and no topping of the vines, are also used at Pym-Rae. Around 75% Cabernet Sauvignon was planted, along with Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The wine is fermented in cement fermenters and matured for 16 months, 70% in barriques and 30% in cement cuve.

© Images: Pym-Rae Tesseron Estate