2004 Flora Springs "Soliloquy"

The Sauvignon Musqué clone used in this Napa wine can produce a white that evokes Bordeaux. Winemaker Ken Deis captures the creamy, melony side of the varietal while retaining its telltale tanginess.

Flora Springs is a family endeavor that epitomizes hard work, dedication and teamwork . The vitality of our family is obvious as we set about the task of growing great grapes and making absolutely delicious wine. Even the name Flora Springs has significance - Flora is our mother and the springs refer to the water source on the property that has flowed uninterrupted regardless of periods of drought.

It all began over 20 years ago, when our parents, Jerry and Flora Komes bought the first vineyard - a vineyard with lots of history, great soils and two ghost wineries. Their retirement project became a lifetime passion for son John Komes and daughter Julie Garvey and their families. John quickly talked the family (including another brother Mike Komes) into making wine. Julie worked side by side with John as the first two years they made the wines. Julie’s husband Pat Garvey took over the vineyard side of things. In 1980, Ken Deis was hired as winemaker and he has been part of the family ever since.

Just as grapes are site specific (Chardonnay loves cooler climates - Cabernet likes to be a little warmer) so too do they require different care in the vineyard. The choices are myriad - trellis systems, shoot positioning, water regimes, spacing, rootstock selections, clonal selections, natural pest control and on and on. We have been innovative in our approach and it shows in the quality of our fruit.

Pat Garvey has turned portions of the vineyards into “laboratories” so we can learn more about how trellising affects grape quality, how rootstocks affect flavors and vigor. He was one of the first to use sensors in the soil to track water stress in vines and irrigate accordingly.

Great winemaking, therefore, begins in the vineyard and continues in the winery. Flora Springs wines reveal that approach. Our family has over 500 acres of vineyards in 8 distinct locations in the Napa Valley which gives us the unique advantage of beginning our winemaking process from the ground up - selecting the site, the varietal, the planting method, and every detail that is vital to obtaining great fruit each year. Our fruit is in high demand and we sell most of it to other top wineries, which enables us to concentrate on being great rather than big.