Winemaker Andy Erickson partners with Constellation Brands to create wines from Constellation’s legendary To Kalon Vineyard®

OAKVILLE, Calif. (May 29, 2019) – Constellation Brands will launch To Kalon Vineyard Company in 2019 with celebrated winemaker Andy Erickson at the helm. Erickson, in partnership with the fine wine division of Constellation Brands, will create terroir-driven wines from Constellation’s To Kalon Vineyard. The vineyard, located in Napa Valley’s Oakville AVA, includes land planted by H.W. Crabb over 150 years ago and is widely acknowledged as one of the most iconic vineyards in the world.

“We are thrilled to honor our To Kalon Vineyard legacy with the launch of To Kalon Vineyard Company,” said John Seethoff, Vice President of Marketing, Fine Wine, Constellation Brands. “Some of the greatest wines in the world are made from our To Kalon Vineyard, and Andy Erickson is one of the most intuitive and talented winemakers in the industry today.” The inaugural wine from To Kalon Vineyard Company will be the 2016 vintage of Highest Beauty, named for the nineteenth century vineyard planted by the pioneering vintner H.W. Crabb who named his winery To Kalon, meaning “highest beauty” in Greek.

Andy Erickson began his career in winemaking under the tutelage of Paul Hobbs at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and John Kongsgaard at Newton Vineyards in the 1990s. He went on to earn his master’s degree in Enology from UC Davis, later becoming the head winemaker at Staglin Family Vineyard. Erickson has consulted for some of the most renowned wineries in Napa Valley, including Screaming Eagle, Ovid and Dalle Valle, and is also the proprietor of Favia Winery, where he produces Napa Valley wines with his wife, viticulturist Annie Favia. A firm believer in terroir-driven wines, and an avid student of Napa Valley, he was drawn to To Kalon for its pedigree and strong sense of place. “What amazes me about this vineyard is that it produces wines with very soft tannins and yet incredible focus. There is great varietal definition that shines through with wines produced from To Kalon Vineyard,” says Erickson. He enthuses, “In addition to the incredible quality of the land, To Kalon has a deep and fascinating legacy. It is truly a gift to make wines from this great vineyard.”

With just 500 cases produced, selling for $200 per bottle, Highest Beauty 2016 releases in September 2019 and will be available through the mailing list at www.tokalonvineyardcompany.com.