Forman Vineyard

Ric Forman is one of California’s viticultural pioneers, producing Bordeaux-style wines of great finesse and elegance at his winery on Howell Mountain. His Chardonnays and Cabernet Sauvignons are only available in limited qualities outside the US.

Ric Forman is a legend of Californian winemaking. Together with friend David Abreu, he discovered and planted many of the Napa Valley’s famous vineyards.

The dream of making fine wine

Ric founded Forman Vineyard in 1983 to fulfil his dream of producing, as sole proprietor, small quantities of fine wine. After a three-year search for the perfect location, he found a site perched up on Howell Mountain high above the Silverado Trail along which many of the Napa Valley’s best producers are located.

Taking Bordeaux as his template

Ric was inspired by the winemaking practices of the Bordeaux region and sought similar perfection in his own wines. Today, he produces standout wines of finesse and elegance. As the vineyard proprietor, Ric favours a traditional, hands-on approach and is personally involved in all the stages of production. His vineyards comprise three plots, each one planted with the four Bordeaux varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. Ever since the winery’s inception, Ric has been producing legendary Cabernet Sauvignons that are among the Napa Valley’s most primal and authentic. Only 10% of his wines go abroad, making them collector’s items outside the US.

“Influenced early on by the wines and winemaking practices of the Bordeaux region of France, I have consistently sought a similar perfection for the wines of Forman Vineyard. If I had to choose two words which embody the character of Forman Vineyard wines, they would be finesse and elegance.”

Ric Forman

formanvineyard.com