Wine is more than a beverage; it’s an expression of place, passion, and the people behind the bottle. In the ever-evolving world of Napa Valley, where iconic estates and bold Cabernet Sauvignons define the landscape, there is a winery quietly making waves—Seven Apart. Perched on the rugged terrain of Atlas Peak, Seven Apart Winery is not just producing wine; it’s redefining what Napa mountain fruit can be.
Why Atlas Peak?
Napa Valley is famous for its terroir, but few places offer the unique challenges and rewards of Atlas Peak. This high-altitude AVA, located in the Vaca Mountain range, provides an entirely different set of growing conditions than the valley floor. Seven Apart’s vineyards thrive in these extreme conditions, where rocky volcanic soils and elevated exposure to sunlight create wines with remarkable depth, intensity, and what can only be described as “luxury tannins.”
While many associate mountain wines with aggressive structure and gripping tannins, Seven Apart’s approach achieves a delicate balance—powerful yet polished. This harmony results from precise vineyard management, meticulous winemaking, and a deep respect for the land. The goal is simple: let the vineyard speak and allow each vintage to tell its own story.
The People Behind the Wines
A winery’s heart lies in its people, and Seven Apart’s success is driven by a team dedicated to excellence. The winery’s founding winemaker, Andy Erickson—renowned for crafting some of Napa’s most legendary wines—set the stage for the estate’s reputation. In 2023, the torch was passed to winemaker Morgan Maureze, who brought his own expertise while ensuring a seamless transition rooted in consistency and quality.
“It was the most seamless transition,” Morgan says. “We got the band back together.”
Morgan’s philosophy is clear: make wines that are expressive, age-worthy, and true to their origins. With years of experience working alongside Erickson and an understanding of how to craft wines that balance structure and elegance, he has continued to refine Seven Apart’s offerings.
The winery’s managing partner, Yannick Girardo, is another key player in Seven Apart’s evolution. His hospitality background and deep appreciation for fine wine bring a consumer-first approach, ensuring that each guest experiences the full depth and beauty of what Seven Apart has to offer.
The Vineyard as Composer
Seven Apart’s estate vineyard sits high on Atlas Peak, its 8.4 acres etched across rocky ridgelines and steep slopes. This terroir brings both challenge and character to every bottle. “You just sit there and feel it in your bones,” Morgan reflects. “This is a special place.”
Each bottling captures a unique facet of the site. The flagship Expedition, a Cabernet-led blend, combines fruit from lower elevations with fruit from the higher Radical parcel. The result is a wine that acts as a gateway to the estate: approachable, structured, and layered. “It’s the journey of starting with what we call a base camp here,” Yannick says. “We always incorporate a higher percentage of Radical fruit, around 70%.”
The single-vineyard wines—Shale, Basalt, and Summit—are pure Cabernet expressions sourced from specific vineyard blocks. Shale offers silkiness and early approachability; Basalt is bold and structured, while Summit captures the vineyard’s southernmost and slightly higher elevation character with striking minerality and depth.
Letting the Vines Speak
Every vintage is a reflection of the growing season, and Seven Apart embraces this truth wholeheartedly. The 2021 vintage is structured and age-worthy, having spent extended time in barrel to develop complexity. The 2022 vintage was marked by extreme weather challenges, including frost and heat spikes, requiring careful vineyard management to produce a wine that maintains purity and balance. The 2023 vintage is shaping up to be a consumer-friendly year, offering immediate approachability without sacrificing depth.
“The vineyard told us when it was done,” Morgan says. “You had to watch and listen. Great terroirs, when put under pressure, still generate something beautiful.”
Rather than rely on formula, Morgan adapts to the fruit: shorter fermentation in 2022 to preserve balance, slightly more oak when structure can support it, and longer aging when a wine needs time to fully form.
“Not doing anything is a decision,” he notes, reflecting the belief that sometimes the best choice is restraint. “Wine is not a recipe. It’s art and science.”
From the Table to the Cellar
While the wines are designed to age gracefully—”your grandkids can drink this”—they are also made with food and company in mind. “Wines are meant to be enjoyed with food or good friends,” Morgan says. “I always want to make wines I’m proud to drink.”
Each wine tells a story: of a growing season, a soil type, a human choice. Some are evocative enough to conjure vivid imagery. Tasting the Summit, I visualized the tasting sensation as if it was a roller coaster. I shared my thoughts with Yannick and Morgan of my visualization after sampling the wine. “You go up, up, up, and then suddenly—whoosh! All of this rush comes at you all at once. You hang on for dear life and when the ride is over… you RUN to get back in line again.”
Exclusivity & The Direct-to-Consumer Experience
Seven Apart’s wines are not easy to find—and that’s intentional. Unlike many large-scale Napa producers, the winery prioritizes estate-driven, direct-to-consumer sales, allowing them to maintain complete control over quality and distribution. The Expedition label is the only wine available beyond the winery, ensuring that the rest of the portfolio remains an exclusive experience for those who visit.
Visiting the estate is not just about tasting wine—it’s about understanding the land, the philosophy, and the meticulous effort that goes into each bottle. This hands-on approach fosters a loyal community of wine lovers who appreciate the winery’s dedication to craftsmanship.
A Mountain Reborn
Seven Apart’s wines have found a loyal following not only through their mailing list but also through word-of-mouth, reaching wine lovers around the globe. Still, the winery remains focused on its mission: honoring the land, making thoughtful choices, and never rushing greatness.
While 2022 was broadly seen as a stronger white wine vintage across Napa, Seven Apart’s red wines demonstrated the resilience of their mountain site.
The Bigger Picture: Sustainability & Commitment to the Future
At the core of Seven Apart’s philosophy is a respect for nature. The estate has been transitioning to organic farming, with full certification expected soon. Vineyard practices include precision irrigation, strategic pruning techniques, and minimal intervention winemaking—all aimed at preserving the land for future generations.
This sustainability-driven mindset aligns with the belief that great wines are not just made for today but should stand the test of time. By working closely with the land rather than against it, Seven Apart is ensuring that its vineyards continue to produce exceptional fruit for years to come.
Conclusion: The Essence of Seven Apart
In a region known for its legendary wines, Seven Apart stands out not because of grandeur, but because of its authenticity, precision, and unwavering commitment to quality. By embracing the challenges of Atlas Peak, respecting the nuances of each vintage, and maintaining an intimate connection with wine lovers, the estate has carved out a reputation as one of Napa Valley’s most exciting boutique wineries.
For those who seek wines with a sense of place, a story to tell, and the ability to age gracefully, Seven Apart is a must-visit destination. Whether enjoying an elegant Cabernet Sauvignon today or cellaring a bottle for the next decade, one thing is certain—these are wines made with intention, passion, and an enduring respect for the land.
“Everyone asks, ‘What’s your best vintage?'” Morgan says with a smile. “I always say, I haven’t had it yet.”
In the wines of Seven Apart, Atlas Peak isn’t just a place—it’s a voice. And with Morgan and Yannick guiding the journey, that voice has never sounded clearer.
Wines tasted in this article
2021 Seven Apart Expedition
Dusty red fruit and fresh blackberry combine to create a complex, structured, and expressive wine. The 2021 Expedition is medium to full-bodied and firm, with rich and round flavors that grip the palate. The wine showcases dark cherry notes along with bittersweet dark chocolate. The finish is long, smooth and food-friendly as it lingers with focus. Hints of graphite add to its elegance, making it an impressive offering.
Score: 93 | Drink: 2024–2038
2021 Seven Apart Shale
Still tight and fresh, the 2021 Shale Cabernet showcases a mineral-driven nose before black cherry and dusty plum express from the glass. It has dark red fruit flavors and is full-bodied. The mouthfeel compresses to reveal layers of complexity of bitter dark chocolate and roasted espresso beans. The wine has a delightful, well-integrated finish that balances between dark fruit and minerality, with hints of oak spices. Nicely done!
Score: 96 | Drink: 2026–2046
2021 Seven Apart Basalt
The 2021 Basalt Cabernet is larger and broader-shouldered, continuing to grow in richness and complexity. It provides a bold yet elegant experience that stands out distinctly from the rest of the range, showcasing its unique sense of place and identity with pride and strength. Fresh, round, and approachable, this wine is both expressive and flavorful. Its mineral-driven character, paired with succulent acidity, contributes to a beautiful balance, making it a truly remarkable Cabernet. Wow!
Score: 97 | Drink: 2026–2050
2021 Seven Apart Summit
Utterly beautiful, the 2021 Summit took me on a ride like a roller coaster, climbing to the top before rushing down. It has a complex yet sincere kiss of herbal essence with plenty of seductive red fruit notes that fill and excite the palate. Balanced and complex with succulent acidity, this full-bodied Cabernet offers a satisfyingly long finish that lingers like crazy. Wow! I wanted more!
Score: 99 | Drink: 2026–2055
2022 Seven Apart Expedition
This wine is lush and fruit-forward, with noticeably more extraction and tannins than the previous vintage. While the 2021 vintage shows potential for aging, the 2022 Expedition is rich and rounded, offering an immensely pleasing and approachable expression. It stands out as one of the better reds from the 2022 Napa Valley offerings that I have tasted this year from various producers. Seven Apart clearly knows what they are doing, and I trust them to deliver even in challenging vintages. Well done!
Score: 93+ | Drink: 2024–2038
2022 Seven Apart Shale
The Shale exhibits the same generous character as the 2022 range. It presents a unique sincerity to its sense of place, featuring a fresh and rocky expression while showcasing oak and dusty tannins that frame this full-bodied Cabernet. The mid-palate reveals hints of flint alongside expressive dark fruit, smoothly transitioning to a lush yet firm finish.
Score: 95+ | Drink: 2026–2045
2022 Seven Apart Basalt
Rich and round, the 2022 Basalt is expressive with juicy, red-fruited flavors that reveal a firm structure that gradually softens on the palate. It is full-bodied and fresh, showcasing oak with a sincere expression of Cabernet Sauvignon grown at a higher elevation. A soft herbal essence complements it and notes of black cherry and blackberry nuances. The wine concludes in a lingering spicy finish that will benefit from additional chilling and decanting and will have no challenges aging beautifully. Bravo!
Score: 97 | Drink: 2026–2048
2022 Seven Apart Summit
The wine is big and bold, yet not overwhelming. It makes an immediate impression with its captivating and seductive aromas. The 2022 Summit is full of power and elegance, featuring balanced tannins and energetic acidity that enhances its full-bodied character. The mid-palate reveals delightful oak spices, leading to a firm finish that lingers and holds into the aftertaste. It’s a highly engaging and cerebral wine that keeps me coming back for more—I can’t put my glass down.
Score: 97 | Drink: 2028–2055
2023 Seven Apart Expedition
Tasted as a barrel sample, the nose is still very primary, featuring rich and abundant aromas of juicy dark red and black fruits that are both supple and expressive. Medium to full-bodied, the palate reveals still-tight tannins that will undoubtedly round out nicely before it hits the market. I anticipate that this wine will receive acclaim and success upon its release. I look forward to tasting it again from the bottle in another year or so. Well done!
Projected Score: 92–94
