William Cole Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Smoking Gun Premiere Napa Valley 2017

The fourth generation in his family to make wine in Napa Valley, William Ballentine, Jr. has winemaking in his blood. He studied business and finance along with enology and viticulture at Fresno State University and graduated in 1987. After working for Gallo Wine Company in the late 1980s, and then later with his father at Ballentine Vineyards, William grew eager to hone his cabernet harvesting and blending techniques. In 1998 he became winemaker for St. Clement Vineyards in St. Helena where he had the opportunity to work with many of the great winemakers. In 2001, William left St. Clement to concentrate on opening his own winery and on winemaking consulting for small, quality-driven growers, many of whom he has helped develop and build wineries throughout Napa Valley.