Hundred Acre Wine: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction
Hundred Acre Wine, founded in 2000 by Jayson Woodbridge (creator of The Prisoner Wine Co.), is a Napa Valley cult winery celebrated for its opulent, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon. With a motto of “No Compromise,” it focuses on single-vineyard bottlings from prestigious sites like Ark Vineyard and Few and Far Between. Production is capped at 500–800 cases annually, with bottles retailing for $500–$1,200+. Critics routinely award 98–100 points, praising its density and finesse. This article explores its history, winemaking ethos, and answers top questions about accessibility, taste, and investment potential.

What Is Hundred Acre Wine?

Hundred Acre produces ultra-premium Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa’s most coveted vineyards. Its flagship wines—Ark Vineyard, Few and Far Between, and Deep Time—are aged 24–36 months in new French oak, yielding bold flavors of blackcurrant, espresso, and violets. Winemaking emphasizes low yields, hand-harvesting, and native yeast fermentation. The brand’s name reflects its commitment to crafting “100% perfect” wines from 100% estate-grown fruit. Allocation is via a secretive mailing list, with secondary markets charging $2,000+perbottle.Asecondlabel,\ast AHundredSummers\ast ,offersarareentrypoint($300–$500).

Key Features of Hundred Acre Wine

1. Single-Vineyard Focus: Each wine reflects distinct terroir.

2. Extended Aging: 2–3 years in new French oak for complexity.

3. Minimal Intervention: Native yeast, no fining/filtration.

4. Micro-Production: 500–800 cases annually.

5. Critical Acclaim: Consistent 98–100 point scores.

People Also Ask: Top Questions About hundred acre wine

1. Why Is Hundred Acre So Expensive?

Scarcity and meticulous craftsmanship drive prices. Vineyard yields are kept brutally low (1–2 tons/acre), and production costs (e.g., $1,500+ oak barrels) are high. Perfect critic scores and billionaire collectors inflate demand.

2. How Does It Compare to Screaming Eagle?

Both are Napa cult icons, but Screaming Eagle (Oakville) emphasizes elegance, while Hundred Acre (Howell Mountain, Stags Leap) is richer and more extracted. Hundred Acre’s wines are often likened to “liquid luxury” with bolder tannins.

3. Where Can I Buy Hundred Acre?

Join the mailing list (long waitlist) or purchase via auctions (Sotheby’s, WineBid). Retailers like Benchmark Wine Group occasionally list bottles at 2–3x retail prices.

4. What Does Hundred Acre Taste Like?

Young vintages: Blackberry, dark chocolate, and graphite. Aged examples (15+ years): Truffle, leather, and cedar. The 2013 Ark Vineyard (100 pts) is lauded for its “velvet thunder” texture.

5. Is Hundred Acre a Good Investment?

Yes. Auction prices rise ~15% annually; the 2005 Few and Far Between now exceeds $3,000. Ensure authenticity via provenance records to avoid counterfeits.

6. How Much Wine Is Produced Yearly?

500–800 cases total, split between three labels. Challenging vintages (e.g., 2011) may yield fewer than 300 cases.

7. What Awards Has It Won?

Perfect 100-point scores from Robert Parker (2007, 2012, 2013, 2016) and consistent 98+ ratings from Jeb Dunnuck. Wine Spectator’s Top 10 Wines (2015).

8. Can I Visit the Vineyard?

No. Hundred Acre avoids public access to protect its terroir. Allocation members receive exclusive virtual tastings and rare event invites.

9. What’s the Story Behind the Name?

Jayson Woodbridge named it to reflect his pursuit of perfection: “100% effort, 100% quality, 100% obsession.”

10. Does Hundred Acre Make Other Wines?

Yes. A Hundred Summers (Cabernet blend) and Hundred Acre “Fortunate Son” (a collaboration with Dave Matthews) offer lower-priced alternatives.

Conclusion

Hundred Acre Wine epitomizes Napa Valley’s obsession with perfection, blending audacious ambition with meticulous craftsmanship. Its limited production, critical acclaim, and billionaire clientele make it a symbol of liquid luxury, though its exclusivity places it beyond most enthusiasts. Challenges like climate volatility and counterfeit markets loom, yet its legacy as a modern cult classic remains unshaken. For collectors, it’s a blue-chip asset; for connoisseurs, a fleeting taste of vinous opulence. Whether as an heirloom or a splurge, Hundred Acre stands as a testament to the heights—and costs—of uncompromising winemaking.