Prim Family Vineyard
Napa Valley AVA
Rudy's winemaking philosophy centers on the concept that great wines are created in the vineyard
Founded in 2009 by Wayne and Victoria Prim, the Prim Family Vineyard is one of Napa Valley’s newest ultra boutique wineries focusing on Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon and Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir. After several years of home-winemaking, Wayne decided to make the jump to commercial wine production and teamed up with winemaker Rudy von Strasser (of Von Strasser Winery), to make and manage his small winemaking program. The two winemaking enthusiasts had met at a charity event on Howell Mountain and instantly bonded over their shared love of wine and their focus on hillside vineyards. Rudy’s own winery was located on Diamond Mountain, whereas Wayne’s Prim Family Vineyard would focus on Howell Mountain, on the other side of the Valley. Together, they have made Prim Family Vineyard an exciting new venture in Napa Valley, and with overall production so small, these wines are nearly impossible to get your hands on.
Rudy von Strasser brings incredible winemaking experience and prestige to the little Prim Family Vineyard. He began his winemaking career in 1984 at Hacienda Winery and graduated from the UC Davis Enology Program the following year. Afterward, Rudy began an internship at Château Lafite-Rothschild and later worked as the enologist at Napa’s Trefethen Winery and at Newton Vineyards as Assistant Winemaker.
He began his own winery in 1990 and has received many honors and awards over the years for his wines. One of his most impressive honors is being named by Wine & Spirits magazine as one of the 2014 Wineries of the Year. Rudy has received this nomination eleven of the last twelve years.
Rudy’s winemaking philosophy at Prim Family Vineyard centers on the concept that great wines are created in the vineyard. To this end, vineyard selection is of the utmost importance and for this month’s featured wine, the Apex Vineyard was chosen to provide the premium Pinot Noir fruit. The Apex Vineyard is located fairly high in elevation on a western hillside of the Santa Lucia Highlands Appellation. Owned by the Franscioni Vineyard, this property yields expressive, high quality fruit that has made many award-winning wines over the years.
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