Concannon Vineyard Introduces Clone 7 Cabernet Sauvignon in Celebration of Family’s Extensive Contributions to California Wine Industry

I know this isn’t beer news, but I knew you’d want to see it anyway:

LIVERMORE, CA Concannon Vineyard announced today the introductory vintage of its Clone Series with the 2014 Concannon Clone 7 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Chalk Hill AVA of Sonoma County. The new Clone Series from Concannon highlights the winery’s Cabernet Sauvignon clones, which account for an estimated 80% of all California Cabernet Sauvignon vines. Based in the Livermore Valley, Concannon has over 130 years of family winemaking experience, and the Concannon Clone 7 Cabernet Sauvignon pays tribute to the winery’s lasting impact on the California wine industry.

“The legacy and complexity of the Concannon Clone 7 Cabernet Sauvignon harkens back to our family roots, while also showing our reach into prestigious grape growing regions outside of the Livermore Valley”

“The legacy and complexity of the Concannon Clone 7 Cabernet Sauvignon harkens back to our family roots, while also showing our reach into prestigious grape growing regions outside of the Livermore Valley,” said John Concannon, the Fourth-Generation Vintner and Managing Director at Concannon Vineyard. “This wine is a tribute to my father, Jim Concannon, and his efforts to continually innovate, which not only helped grow Concannon Vineyard, but made a significant impact on the entire California wine region.”

In 1965, Jim Concannon propelled the family’s history of innovation by collaborating with UC Davis on a grapevine certification program that developed the Concannon Cabernet Clones 7, 8 and 11. These clones were developed from three cuttings taken from the “Concannon Mother Vine,” a single vine that was brought to Concannon Vineyard Estate from Château Margaux in 1893. With an estimated 80% of California’s 90,000 acres of Cabernet now planted with the Concannon Clones 7, 8 and 11, the new Concannon Clone Series will highlight these three Concannon Cabernet Clones across various California appellations. As part of a continued commitment to the new Clone Series, Concannon Vineyard recently replanted a portion of its original vineyard with 18,500 Concannon Clone 7 vines.

“I’m thrilled Concannon Vineyard has chosen to kick-off their new Clone Series in Sonoma County,” said Sonoma vintner, grower and noted industry professional, Glenn Proctor. “The Concannon Clones are synonymous with California Cabernet Sauvignon and Sonoma is no exception, representing decades of commitment to exceptional wines.”

Only 240 cases of 2014 Concannon Clone 7 Cabernet Sauvignon were produced and the wine is available with a suggested retail price of $90. Please visit www.ConcannonVineyard.com for more information.

About Concannon Vineyard

Located in the historic Livermore Valley, Concannon Vineyard is America’s oldest, ongoing winery under the same family label and stewardship. In 1883, James Concannon established the first successful winery founded by an Irish immigrant and established Concannon as a founding family of the California wine industry. Concannon’s four generations have made many pioneering contributions to the American wine industry, including the renowned Concannon Cabernet Clones 7, 8 and 11, which make up 80% of California’s Cabernet Sauvignon plantings, and “America’s First Petite Sirah,” the first bottling of Petite Sirah as a varietal wine. For more information about Concannon Vineyard, please visit www.concannonvineyard.com.