Dominus Californie United States

Dominus is the proprietary red wine produced in the heart of Napa Valley by Christian Moueix and his team. Since 1983, their goal has been to express the unique terroir found at the historic Napanook Vineyard.

Dominus has become known since its first release for its complexity and earthy character, which pay tribute to the Napanook terroir. Christian Moueix truly believes that producing a wine begins in the vineyard. For that reason, each vintage is unique with different varietal blends reflecting the vineyard and climate conditions of that particular year.

Napanook is on the west side of the Napa Valley facing the town of Yountville, approximately one-third of the way up the valley. At the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains, it is located between the valley floor and the hillside—we call it the foothills. Historical records show that in 1836 George Yount, who gave his name to Yountville, planted the first vines of the valley on the location of Napanook vineyard, before selling the land in 1850 to Charles Hopper.

Christian Moueix fell in love with the valley and its wines while studying at U.C. Davis in 1968 and 1969. After many years of searching the ideal vineyard location, in 1982 he entered into a joint venture with Robin Lail and Marcia Smith, John Daniel's two daughters.

This was the birth of Dominus, and its first vintage was harvested in 1983. Since then, Christian Moueix has worked to restore the unique character of the original vineyard. He became full owner in 1995.

Gaja Piedmont Italy

The Gaja winery, located in the village of Barbaresco in the Langhe area of the region of Piedmont, in Italy, was founded in 1859.

Angelo Gaja, perhaps the most influential individual in Italian wines over the last 30 years, came from a family of wine makers, but it is probably not true to say that Angelo followed in his father's footsteps. For Angelo Gaja has trodden his own path. Gaja revolutionised the wine business in Barbaresco and beyond. The world now knows the greatness of Barbaresco and Barolo, especially those bottles with his simple, black-and-white label.

Since 1994 Gaja has purchased wine estates in Tuscany; the focus at those vineyards is on international grape varieties, and French vines varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Angelo has never been shy about breaking paradigms.

Having studied in France, Gaja was responsible for the introduction of temperature controlled fermentation, malolactic fermentation and French barrels.