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In 1980, Joyce and Jerry Cain purchased part of the McCormick Ranch, a homestead dating back to the 1840s. The Cains were in search of a unique mountain property where they could realize their dream of planting the five classical Bordeaux varieties from which to draw one ideally structured wine—a blend of all five varieties. That wine would become Cain Five. Jim and Nancy Meadlock joined the Cains in 1986, and, in 1991, they purchased full ownership. The first Cain Five, the 1985 vintage, was released in 1989.
The Cain Vineyard site is truly spectacular, cradled in a bowl overlooking St. Helena from the top of the Spring Mountain District. Dramatic terraces have been cut into the steep hillsides facing north, south, east, and west. Mountain vineyards are unique. The soils are thinner, and the vines yield less fruit. Spring comes later, and the afternoons are cooler. The sun shines longer and with greater intensity. All of these factors combine to produce a concentrated wine of great character.
Cain produces four wines: Cain Five, Cain Concept, Cain Cuvée, and Cain Musqué. Cain Musqué is pure Sauvignon, made from the uniquely floral Musqué clone grown in the Ventana Vineyards, Monterey. The others are Cabernet blends, but with different styles. With our Cain Cuvée we seek a smooth, immediately approachable, versatile style: a bistro wine. Cain Concept is sourced from the benchlands of the Napa Valley, providing us with grapes that produce a luscious, silky wine that is at once imminently drinkable and worthy of aging. Cain Five is where our heart is. We strive to create the ultimate blend of richness, depth, complexity, and finesse, drawing from among the best lots of our vintage and the Cain Vineyard.
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