Clark-Claudon-Cab Cares
Far away from the hustle and bustle of St. Helena and Napa, on the other side of Angwin, you will find the rural area of Pope Valley. To get there, you can drive either through Chiles Valley or up Howell Mountain to Angwin and then down the other side. When you take the time to visit some of the great wineries in this area, be sure to make Clark-Claudon a destination. Their vineyard sits between 800 ft & 1000 ft elevation on the north east side of Howell Mountain in the Ink Grade area above the Pope Valley floor.
After Tom Clark and Laurie Claudon had served in the Peace Corps, they moved to Yuba City where they bought a home. Laurie began teaching and Tom was in the agriculture business. It wasn't long afterwards that Tom was offered a vineyard management job in the Napa Valley. In 1974, without a second thought, Tom and Laurie sold their home and packed up their new born baby. Within six weeks of the job offer they had moved to the Napa Valley. They have been there ever since. Tom soon had his own vineyard management company. It was an exciting time as the reputation of the Napa Valley began to grow. The couple had their second child and dreamed of having their own vineyard, but it wasn't until 1989 when a friend showed them a piece of property that the idea became a reality. They took a chance, bought the property, planted the vineyards and produced their first estate wine in 1993. The property is 154 acres, with only a fractional 18.5 acres planted. The remainder is preserved as open space, home to the abundant wildlife and watershed.
A visit to Clark-Claudon is special. Laurie or Tom will meet you at a charming cottage that existed on the property when they purchased it. Waiting for you is a fruit and cheese plate, and of course their delicious wine. Clark-Claudon Estate Cabernet has always received great reviews. It's lush, well-balanced, and elegant. However, don't get too comfy after the wine and cheese because the hike comes next. After climbing a steep hill, along with some heavy breathing, the visitor is greeted by breathtaking views of Clark-Claudon's hillside vineyard. It's an amazing Napa Valley experience, making it well worth the travel distance. Plus, the elegant Estate Cabernet is well worth the purchase, especially when it is bought from the Cabernet for Care allocation.
Never forgetting the time they spent in the Peace Corps, Laurie and Tom have always cared about people in need. This led them to create the Cabernet for Care program. Each year they allocate 400 cases of their Estate Cabernet for the program. This is how it works. The customers donate a minimum of $100 to one of Clark-Claudon's chosen charities. In return they receive a 50% discount on the Estate Cabernet. For December both the 2004 and 2005 vintages are available. There is a 3 bottle minimum and a 12 bottle maximum per $100 donation. This is an excellent way to treat family, friends, co-workers or yourself with a great wine while helping children in need. Through Clark-Claudon Cabernet for Care, you can choose the gift that gives twice! Please note; the donation requirement will likely increase after the Holidays.
Find our more about Clark-Claudon in our Winery Directory.
Click here to find out how Chef Binder paired Clark Claudon Cabernet Sauvignon with food.
