Ink Grade Winery occupies a rare position on Howell Mountain: a single, continuous estate with both historical depth and modern clarity of purpose.

The property dates to 1873, when pioneer Theron Ink first planted vines. Today, the estate spans roughly 800 acres, with 200 under vine farmed organically and biodynamically for more than 35 years—the largest biodynamically farmed vineyard in Napa County. Steep terraces climb to 2,200 feet, rooted in iron-rich volcanic soils. Farming here is physical, demanding, and dictated by the land.

Under CEO and Master Sommelier Carlton McCoy’s leadership, Ink Grade has a clear mandate: preserve the integrity of the site and present the resulting wines without excess. Winemaker Matt Taylor, who trained with Rod Berglund, Jacques Seysses, and at Eisele Vineyard, translates that vision into wines of structure and restraint, prioritizing site expression.

Having worked across five of Napa Valley’s mountain AVAs, Taylor points to Howell Mountain as singular in its aromatic profile. “Howell Mountain has always been distinct to me in its ability to remain extremely floral while retaining more earthy and herbal notes intertwined with its fruit,” he says. “I’m always astonished at how, when wines are fermented without commercial yeasts, one can pick up on notes of redwoods, bay laurel, manzanita and madrone blossoms and the pine sap that permeate these hillsides.”

The portfolio centers on four single-parcel red wines, each bottled independently because of how distinctly they show in the cellar. Buddha’s Belly, a Cabernet Sauvignon block at 1,400–1,600 feet, develops slowly, retaining natural acidity for a focused, linear wine. Prophet’s Water, planted higher on red volcanic soils, brings tannin and aromatic intensity with structure inherent to the site. Third Circle, grown on decomposed volcanic ash and gravelly loam, emphasizes darker fruit and layered complexity. At the uppermost elevations, Lost Clouds, a 100 percent Merlot, is lighter in frame, shaped by altitude and exposure.

Guests visits are appointment at a historic vineyard location in St. Helena called The Home Ranch, where private guided tastings connect each wine to its parcel. The “Study of Mountain Terroir” is a seated exploration of the core portfolio, linking vineyard conditions directly to what’s in the glass. The most immersive option, “The Road to Ink Grade,” takes guests up the rugged estate vineyards, where the slopes and elevation illustrate the challenges of mountain farming, before returning to the tasting room to experience the wines in context.

Appointments are limited and groups remain small, allowing time to engage and ask questions. Every element, from vineyard to glass, reflects Taylor’s philosophy of presence, patience, and listening to what the land will give. Clearly, Ink Grade is more than a collection of mountain wines. It’s a disciplined, site-driven expression of Howell Mountain, where every tasting is an invitation to experience the land’s raw power and elegance firsthand.

For more information www.inkgrade.com