One Year of the Gryphon

Reflecting on a year of celebration, community, and the wine that bridges our storied past with our promising future.

One year ago, we introduced The Gryphon to the world—not just as another wine in our portfolio, but as a defining expression of our most coveted vineyards and boldest vision for Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine, rooted in craftsmanship and legacy, has become more than we ever imagined: a bridge between our storied past and our promising future. As we raise our glasses to celebrate this milestone, we’re filled with gratitude for the journey that brought us here and excitement for what lies ahead.

The Origin: A Vision Takes Shape

The story of The Gryphon begins long before its 2024 debut. This wine represents our deliberate return to the classic Napa Cabernet style of the 1960s and 70s—that golden era when wines possessed varietal character, energy, and liveliness, designed specifically for the table. We wanted to craft something that honored our legacy while speaking to today’s discerning palates.

The name itself carries profound meaning. The gryphon is the traditional symbol of Genoa, Italy, where our founder Louis M. Martini departed in 1899 at just 12 years old, carrying dreams that would transform American winemaking. The Gryphon embodies wisdom, courage, and leadership—qualities Louis M. demonstrated in spades when he established one of the first bonded wineries in Napa post-Prohibition and recognized the region’s terroir potential early on.

The three sections of the gryphon’s tail honor the three generations who’ve shaped our legacy over the past 90+ years. It rests upon a barrel stave, symbolizing our unwavering commitment to exceptional winemaking and stewardship of the land.

In the Glass: Critical Acclaim and Community Embrace

The reception has been nothing short of extraordinary. Decanter awarded The Gryphon 94 points, recognizing what we’ve known from the first sip—this wine captures something special. But beyond the scores, what moves us most is how our community has embraced it. We’ve watched guests in our St. Helena tasting room discover it for the first time, their faces lighting up as they experience that perfect balance of power and elegance. We’ve seen it grace dinner tables across the country, fulfilling its intended purpose as a wine designed for sharing and connection.

The sourcing tells its own story of excellence. Hand-harvested from Napa Valley’s most distinguished vineyards—including Silverado Bench, Longwood Ranch, and Rapp Ranch in Coombsville—each site contributes its unique character to create a harmonious blend that speaks clearly of place.

Once the decision is made, the grapes are handpicked at night or in the early morning hours to preserve their integrity. This labor-intensive process ensures that intact grapes make their way into The Gryphon. The harvested grapes are then transported to our winery, where the next phase of the journey begins.

From the Winemaker: Evolution and Refinement

Winemaker Zach Watkins has guided The Gryphon’s evolution with each vintage, and his enthusiasm is infectious. Speaking about the upcoming 2023 release, Zach explains, “Our latest vintage of The Gryphon benefits from our continued fine-tuning, and the increased precision in the result is noticeable.”

That precision shows in how the wine has evolved from vintage to vintage—where our inaugural 2021 offered rich cassis and dark chocolate with exceptional aging potential, the upcoming 2023 reveals boysenberry and blackberry woven with dried mint, fennel, and star anise. Jasmine and lavender lift the finish, while fresh oak and cocoa powder add depth beneath a core of minerality.

“Every time I open a bottle of the 2023 to see how it’s aging, I get a different nuanced bouquet. That’s exciting because it hints at a really long and diverse life for this wine.”

          — Zach Watkins, Winemaker

The winemaking process itself reflects our commitment to quality at every step—from meticulous, hands-on farming throughout the growing season to hand-sorting grapes and aging in the finest French oak barrels. Every decision serves the wine’s ultimate expression, embodying our founding belief in sourcing the best fruit possible and treating it with the respect it deserves.

Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter Unfolds

As we celebrate this anniversary, we’re already looking toward the future with anticipation. This March, we’ll release the 2023 vintage of The Gryphon, building on the foundation established by our inaugural release. We’re thrilled and grateful that Decanter has recognized the 2023 with an outstanding 97 points, a testament to our winemaking team’s continued dedication to fine-tuning and refining each vintage. This brings even greater precision and nuance to each bottle while maintaining the same commitment to classic Napa style—that perfect balance of varietal character, energy, and food-friendliness that defines The Gryphon.

A Toast to the Journey Ahead

As we reflect on this first year of The Gryphon, we’re reminded that it’s become more than a wine—it’s a symbol of our evolution as stewards of this extraordinary place we call home. It represents our founder’s courage, our winery’s dedication to excellence, and our community’s embrace of wines that bring people together around the table.

The Gryphon’s journey is just beginning, and we’re honored to share it with all of you who make up our community. Here’s to the next chapter of this remarkable story—one that we’ll savor together, one glass at a time.

Ready to experience The Gryphon? Shop now or join our wine club to be among the first to receive new vintages or visit us in St. Helena to taste this exceptional wine and hear its story firsthand.

Member Access: Your Gateway to The Gryphon

Wine Club members will have exclusive access to The Gryphon in their March shipment, continuing our tradition of offering our most celebrated wines to our members first. Additionally, our Subscription members can include The Gryphon in their next shipment, ensuring they don’t miss this exceptional expression of Napa Valley craftsmanship.

For those who haven’t yet joined our community, we invite you to experience The Gryphon during your next visit to our St. Helena tasting room, where our hospitality team looks forward to sharing the story behind this remarkable wine.