Moraga Vineyards

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Moraga Vineyards

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The canyon locale of the Moraga Bel Air vineyard includes ancient marine soils and a distinct microclimate that clearly differentiates the property from other California appellations. The steep vineyard, planted at elevations up to 900 feet, is recognized as an exceptional site for creating wines with a sense of place. A daily “bay breeze” coming off the Santa Monica Bay, which can be clearly seen in the distance from the top of the vineyard, keeps vineyard temperatures moderate. The character of the vineyard is strongly reflected in the wines; in the Moraga Red, the calcareous soils connect each vintage with a common thread. There is a unique and identifiable Moraga signature of rich tannins; supple texture, pure Cabernet fruit, currant and tobacco. Grapes from the vineyard’s many different exposures allow us to build complexity from a careful blend of the different vineyard blocks that make up the vineyard.

The overriding objective of grape growing practices at Moraga Vineyards is to produce the best possible fruit in a sustainable manner. Most of the vineyard is closely spaced on sloping hillsides that are inaccessible to tractors and other equipment. As a result, all of the vineyard work, from pruning to picking, is done by hand by a year-round crew of eight people. There are 6.9 planted acres on the 14-acre property: 4.3 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 1.2 acres of Merlot, one tenth of an acre of Petite Verdot, one tenth of an acre of Cabernet Franc and slightly over 1 acre of Sauvignon Blanc.