Lokoya produces minute quantities of appellation-specific Cabernet Sauvignon from low-vigor vineyard sites in the NapaValley. By selecting only the finest vineyards and farming each parcel to accentuate its unique attributes, Lokoya produces powerful and complex wines that reflect the distinct character of each appellation in which they are grown.
The History
The Jackson-Banke family founded Lokoya in 1995 to showcase powerful fruit from distinct Napa Valley appellations. The late winemaker Greg Upton set the wines on course before handing the reins to Marco DiGiulio in 1997. Christopher Carpenter became Lokoya’s Winemaker in 2000 after working as the assistant winemaker for three years. In October 1998, Lokoya made its debut with four Cabernet Sauvignons from the 1995 vintage. Each bore a separate appellation on its label: Howell Mountain, Mount Veeder, Diamond Mountain and Rutherford.
The Name
Lokoya honors the Native American tribe of the Napa Valley who lived on Mount Veeder in the western mountains and named part of it “Lokoya” which, legend has it, means “the place where geese fly over.”
Winemaking
Winemaker Chris Carpenter believes that the art of great winemaking is knowing when to intervene in the vineyard and the cellar, and when to leave the fruit alone so that it can express itself as naturally and eloquently as possible. Winemaking nurtures the optimal expression of the fruit, pampering ideally ripe fruit with gentle handling at every turn. Extensive sorting, native yeast fermentation, small wooden basket pressing and aging in small French oak barrels coax what is irreplaceable about each vineyard.