The People
Patrick Krutz was born and raised in Mississippi. After graduating from the University of Mississippi he helped at his parent’s boutique wine and cheese shop in Carmel, California. This temporary detour would turn out to inform the rest of his life. He fell in love with wine and in 2003 he founded Krutz Family Cellars out of a garage buying grapes and making sixty cases of wine for friends and family. However, as demand for his product grew, what began as a small-scale enterprise and hobby was quickly propelled into a full-scale winery. By 2011 Patrick brought his two brothers Bryan and Cole on to help run the growing business. As they grew, they never forgot their roots and include a Magnolia on each of their bottles as an homage to their southern roots and commitment to remaining true, honest, fun, and family owned.
Bryan graduated from Ole Miss in 2003 and moved to Rosemary Beach to run a wine and cheese bar. Over the next six years he honed not only his wine skills but also his understanding of the trade in general, specifically the sales and marketing side. This made him an ideal partner for his brothers bourgeoning wine business. Cole moved to California in the summer of 2007 to work one harvest and crush in Sonoma County where he fell in love with wine and wine country. He spent the next couple of years working in the cellars and labs of several wineries in the area, learning the art and science of winemaking firsthand.
The Juice
The 2017 Cabernet is approachable enough to enjoy often while exceeding expectations and drinking far above its price point. Krutz Family wines are created to be the best. They cut no corners, hand sort the grapes and use the finest oak barrels to ferment and age the wine. This cabernet was aged for 20 months in 75% new French oak. It received a score of 90+ points from famed wine critic Robert Parker.
The Dirt
The grapes for this wine were sourced from the legendary George III Beckstoffer Vineyard in the heart of Napa Valley. First planted in 1895 by Mrs. Thomas Rutherford (namesake of the nearby town), this vineyard has a storied history. Cabernets from the George III vineyard routinely score 95+ points. Krutz has their own block which is dedicated to Clone 7 cabernet. Row directions were replanted to a more east west orientation for favorable and evening ripening in late sun in the summer afternoons.
The Taste
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon reflects a beautiful dark garnet color with classic Napa Valley Cabernet notes of ripe black currants, chocolate, and tobacco. Full-bodied, the wine displays richness, depth of fruit, and a lingering finish with notes of dark chocolate and cedar. Classic quality California Cabernet.
The Spill
Bill says he has been buying Napa Cabernets for years and has seen prices escalate to ridiculous levels. As an amateur economist he understands the price-value curve and is constantly on the hunt for wines that can be acquired by the case for something less than a mortgage payment. The Krutz Family’s offerings are right in his sweet spot. Wines that make you say, “WOW!” even before you know how much they cost. When you hear the price you say, “Open another bottle.”
