winery

VASO Cellars

Napa Valley, United States

Philosophy

Minimalist philosophy privileging natural fermentation with varied vessels—concrete, oak tank, French barrique—by site. Limited new oak and minimal intervention reveal each vineyard's voice: purity and poise at release, structured for graceful aging.

Reputation

Launched in 2006 from the four estate vineyards of Dana Estates—Helms, Hershey, Lotus, and Crystal Springs—VASO emerged to honor the fruit not destined for Dana's single-vineyard bottlings. Named from the Spanish and Italian for vessel, it embodies proprietor Hi Sang Lee's spirit of generous stewardship in Rutherford's storied soils.

AllocationVASO Cellars is a cuvée label/second label of Dana Estates, launched 2006, originally intended for export to South Korea (proprietor Hi Sang Lee). Since 2013 allocated to US market. Declared farming practice is 'organic' since 2006 per Tock/DANA Estates listing, but no formal certification body found in sources (Demeter, CCOF, etc.). Website claims 'organic, biodynamic, and sustainable' but without certification specificity. Winemaker is Maura Johnson (joined 2018); consulting winemaker Philippe Melka at Dana Estates. Sourced from four estate vineyards (Helms, Hershey, Lotus, Crystal Springs) on Rutherford Bench and Howell Mountain. No importer data located; direct-to-consumer via website and limited retail. Core market initially export to South Korea, now US allocation through direct mailing list and select retail (ACME Fine Wines noted). Appointment-only tasting at 1500 Whitehall Lane, St. Helena. Producer_type ambiguous (could be micro-negoce given Dana relationship, but designated estate per own labels and site residence). Treated as estate given proprietary vineyard sources and winery address.

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