Bootleg Napa Valley Red 2019

This is the story of Gabriel Valenzuela and his solo debut.

Gabriel was born and raised in California and loves nothing more than Big Cali Reds. He cut his teeth first at the prestigious UC Davis before jobs with R.H. Phillips, Rack & Riddle, and (our good friends) Hall Wines.

As much as Gabriel loved the prestige of making wine at Hall and these big-name places, he had a prevailing dream to one day start his own project, leaning into his rebellious spirit and love of breaking the traditional winemaking rules.

He launched Bootleg Wines just a few years ago, and in less than a decade, it has become known for its unique and high-quality offerings, producing excellent wines of great value while stepping out of the boundaries.

Their flagship wine, the Bootleg Napa Valley Red Blend, is a testament to that innovative approach. Every year, Gabriel takes all of the Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, and Petite Syrah that he grows and he goes to work blending. A master of his craft, he took advantage of a killer year in Napa, putting together a deeper and more brooding Red Blend than in years past. It’s a full-bodied wine with layers of complexity, showcasing dark fruit flavors, hints of spice, and well-integrated tannins. The wines are often aged in oak barrels, adding to their depth and character, but make no mistake, this is a fruit-forward beauty.