

“As a poet, Ovid has several remarkable qualities. His great scope and ambition enabled him to seamlessly tie together all of the Greek myths into a single unbroken song in his poem Metamorphoses. And throughout this long text, his poetry is simultaneously dense and rich and extremely fluid and fluent. Each year, when crafting our flagship Ovid Napa Valley blend, we are inspired to recreate these poetic qualities in the wine: to tell a compelling story from our estate; to make wine at once many-layered and seamless; to add texture and finesse that belies its strength and power.”
–Note from the Producer
Located on the famed Pritchard Hill in St. Helena, Ovid was founded by husband and wife, Mark Nelson and Dana Johnson. They chose the name as a reference to a Roman Poet of the same name who lived around 2000 years ago and find ways to incorporate his works into the winery’s marketing and branding efforts. Pritchard Hill is located on the eastern side of Oakville and is one of the rockiest parts of Napa perfect for growing the Bordeaux varieties that the producer is known for.
The winery has been set up for success since the beginning thanks to its “dream team” including Vineyard Manager David Abreu from Abreu Vineyards and Founding Winemaker Andy Erickson, previously from Screaming Eagle, Harlan, and Staglin. Most recently, Ovid was sold to the owners of Silver Oak Cellars and Twomey wineries, the Duncan family.
The Ovid Proprietary Red 2005 is an exceptional inaugural release from OVID Napa Valley, showcasing a blend led by Cabernet Sauvignon, complemented by Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. Grown in rocky, iron-rich volcanic soils at high elevations, this wine is crafted with precision by winemaker Andy Erickson, under the guidance of consultant Michel Rolland. Aged for approximately 20 months in new French oak, it exhibits complexity and richness with notes of ripe currants, spice, and subtle herbs. Aromas of tobacco, mint, and hints of mocha blend seamlessly with dark fruits and a firm structure. The wine offers a long, persistent finish, indicating remarkable aging potential. Blend composition includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Merlot.
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