We always enjoy discovering a new and exciting wine property, especially when there is a family involved with true wine passion and sheer determination. One such family is Kapcsándy (pronounced “Cap-Chandy”). When the Soviets crushed the 1956 revolt of Budapest, Lou Kapcsándy fled his home in Hungary in search of a better life. First he went to Austria before eventually making his way to the United States. He was a successful CEO of a general contracting company in Seattle, and then in 2000, purchased the State Lane Vineyard in Napa Valley with plans to retire and make great American wines. Today he runs this up-and-coming winery with his wife, Bobbie, and son, Louis.

 

Kapcsándy Family winery was named in November of 2007 by the Wine Spectator as “20 to Watch” of California Cabernet producers. The Spectator reported: “This label arrives with an impressive pedigree. The Kapcsándy family purchased the State Lane Vineyard from Beringer, redeveloping it with help from superstar winemakers Helen Turley and John Wetlaufer. In 2005, winemaker Rob Lawson and Denis Malbec from Château Latour took the winemaking reins. Beginning with the 2005 vintage, three estate-grown reds will be released: the State Lane Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, a Merlot-based red called Roberta's Reserve and the Cabernet blend Estate Cuvee.”

 

The winery was also written up by Robert Parker in the Wine Advocate and in Business Week, by Food & Wine magazine in “A Field Guide to the Future --- Cutting Edge California Cult Wines” and by Stephen Tanzer in International Wine Cellar.

 

Kapcsándy also makes a dry Rosé made of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, which may become a benchmark American Rosé in years to come.  Parker raves: "If you are a buyer of the Kapcsandy wines, don’t miss their fabulous 2006 Rosé. They made under 300 cases, and it is one of the finest Rosés I have tasted over the last several years."
 

For more information about acquiring Kapcsándy wines, please call the Bottle Shop at (732)449-5525 and ask for Thomas F. Murray.