Young Inglewood Embodies Old World Style
When Jim, Jacky, Scott, and Mary Young built their Young Inglewood winery in the early 2010s, their focus was on energy efficiency and the use of reclaimed material. It wasn’t until the building was completely finished that they realized they had inherently met most of the criteria for Napa Green certification.
“Our winery is our home. We invite everyone to visit for an intimate tasting experience. We love sharing the synthesis of our ideas and our land.” – Scott Young
“Sustainability came very naturally,” said son Scott who is the winemaker for his family’s St. Helena AVA winery, the name of which combines the family surname with that of their historic neighborhood on the western side of the Napa Valley. “The whole reason we are here in the first place is because of my mom Jacky who fell in love with wine while teaching English in France during her twenties. Later, she was captivated by the wave of organic and biodynamic producers emerging in France and one day dreamed of replicating that same ecological conscientiousness here in Napa when creating energetic and balanced wines.”
Her dream has been more than realized. Today, Young Inglewood produces a small yet stellar portfolio of Napa grown, old world-inspired wines. The winery’s logo is spare yet dramatic. The tightrope walker symbolizes the winery’s guiding philosophy that balance applies to every stage of farming and winemaking. Young Inglewood’s current releases include an estate Cabernet, Chardonnay, Vin Clair, a Right Bank blend and single barrel bottlings of Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Jacky’s pet project, Aligoté, a Burgundian white varietal rarely found in the U.S. Each is 100% estate-grown except for the Chardonnay, sourced from Steve Matthiasson, who serves as Scott’s mentor for sustainable and regenerative winegrowing practices.
The vineyard itself is 140 years old, and the former owners were conventional farmers. “We converted the property using an organic protocol,” said Scott. “No herbicide, no pesticides, and minimal input. Our vineyard site is special and ideal for growing Bordeaux varietals. What makes our wines interesting is the classic sensibility we apply; these wines are inspired by the old world, geared toward liveliness and vibrancy. Our wines are delicious now, yet they are made for longevity and age-worthiness.”
Young Inglewood’s marketing approach has been mostly grassroots. Fans learn of the wines via word of mouth, or by encountering them on the menus at fine Napa Valley restaurants such as Press, Restaurant RH, and The Charter Oak. Wine bars and specialty wine shops such as St. Helena’s ACME Fine Wines and Compline also carry the brand.
“Our winery is our home,” said Scott. “We invite everyone to visit for an intimate tasting experience. We love sharing the synthesis of our ideas and our land.”
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Article By: Fran Miller // Photos By: Gabrielle Lurie
