Ep 38: In the Family: Bottle Aging Napa Cabernet 8 Years prior to Release with Ignacio Delgadillo of Delgadillo Cellars

While the history of most wine producers is established in the years after they begin, Delgadillo Cellars started with a 30-year history in the Napa Valley under its belt. 30 years working the vineyards of Napa Valley. 21 years in winemaking. Winemaker Ignacio Delgadillo, Sr., started in the wine industry in 1975 at Freemark Abbey, eventually becoming cellar master during the days when Freemark produced one of the top Cabernet Sauvignon releases in the Napa Valley (and that is saying something). Along the way, he has consulted as a private vineyard contractor and established a successful custom wood packaging business.

After all those years in the vineyards and in the winery, Ignacio and his son, Ignacio Delgadillo Jr., found the opportunity to create their own label in 2001, and Delgadillo Cellars was born. With Ignacio senior’s extensive knowledge of the vineyards of Napa Valley, he and his family selected a small vineyard along Mill Creek in the northwest part of the valley. The Cabernet vines in Mill Creek Vineyard were planted between 1971 and 1976. Spur pruned, ladder trained, and completely dry-farmed, the fruit from these vines is concentrated, complex, and elegant. Delgadillo Cellars farms the site, allowing them to hand tend the fruit from bud break to bottling. Each Delgadillo Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon release spends several years in French oak and has been bottle aged for three years in ideal cellar conditions before release. Delgadillo Cellars wines are truly a family affair, steeped in the traditions of Napa Valley wine growing.

[00:01 - 08:02] Opening Segment

• Ignacio recalls his experience of growing up in wine country, learning about the industry and the different aspects of it from a young age had a big impact on his later career choices
• Wine is a very labor-intensive industry with many benefits (such as therapeutic work), but there are also challenges (such as long hours and competition);

[08:03 - 19:01] Get to Know Delgadillo Cellars

• Ignacio tells the story of how Delgadillo Cellars came to be
• It wasn't easy starting a wine business when he was just a high school student
• Starting a wine business is a big investment, but if it fails, it's not really that big of a risk

[19:02 - 24:35] Whites and Reds

• Get to know the different varieties of wines offered by Delgadillo Cellars and how they are made
• Ignacio shares his thoughts on their wine, specifically the red blend they produce.

[24:36 - 48:19] Closing Segment

• What goes with this wine? Ignacio mixes and matches their wines with the best food the pair to
• Cabernet Sauvignon is a versatile wine that can be paired with meals that have complex flavors.
• Ignacio enters the Tasting Round

Connect with Ignacio through [email protected] and Delgadillo Cellars.

Let’s continue the Everyday Wine Conversations and connect with me through Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or feel free to shoot me an email at [email protected]. You can also check out my website at ​www.​klevywineco.com.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK! LEAVE A REVIEW + help us get the word out there! Share this podcast to someone who wants to join the wine conversations. Go ahead and take a screenshot, share this to your stories, and tag me on Instagram! 

JOIN THE CLUB through this link and handpick wines every month, from up and coming wineries, winemaker owned brands and wineries with unique stories while supporting those wineries directly. You can also join our Facebook Group to connect with other wine lovers, get special tips and tricks, and take your wine knowledge to a whole new level.

Tweetable Quotes

"Being in the booze industry is really a party every day." - Ignacio Delgadillo