Fifty years ago, a vision took root in the Napa Valley. A dream of crafting not just wine, but a legacy. This dream, of crafting a singular wine defined by the art of blending the best from different lots, and born from the pioneering spirit of Joseph Phelps, shaped what we know today as Insignia.
“To signify a wine of excellence and superior quality, the ‘distinguishing mark’ allowed the wine to freely adapt to the varying combination of varietals from vintage to vintage in order to make it the very best.”
— Joseph Phelps, Founder
“The idea to blend the finest wine lots of the vintage into one bottling was revolutionary in the Napa Valley.””
— Joseph Phelps, Founder
In 1974, the idea to blend the finest wine lots of the vintage into one bottling was revolutionary in the Napa Valley. Named Insignia, to signify a wine of excellence and superior quality, the ‘distinguishing mark’ allowed the wine to freely adapt to the varying combination of varietals from vintage to vintage. Insignia was the first ever proprietary blend from the Napa Valley and would quickly become the seminal wine of Joseph Phelps’ legacy. Sourced from up to eight Napa Valley estate vineyards, Insignia epitomizes the “art of the blend”. Primarily featuring Cabernet Sauvignon with additions of Malbec, Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc planted to select sites. Climate variation among the vineyards allows for great complexity of flavor and texture in the finished wine.
Joseph Phelps Vineyards owns and farms some 425 acres of vines in Napa Valley on eight estate vineyards. Strategically chosen over many decades, each vineyard has its own personality and brings a different characteristic to the wines.
Vineyards and AVAs: Home Ranch (St. Helena), Banca Dorada (Rutherford), Backus (Oakville), Barboza (Stags Leap District), Las Rocas (Stags Leap District), Yountville (Oak Knoll District), El Venadito (Oak Knoll District), Suscol (Napa Valley)
Since those first few vintages the reputation of Joseph Phelps’ Sonoma Coast wines have grown in tandem with the stature of the growing region itself. Today, dozens of vineyards share the landscape with dense forests and open pastures, and some of California’s most respected Pinot Noir producers source grapes in this sparsely populated but burgeoning winegrowing region. Joe’s fearlessness and infectious vision – his willingness to put a stake in the ground – proved once again to be prescient.
