Pronounced "gree-OH," our name is inspired by the West African tribal historians, the storytellers who perpetuate village traditions through their composition of both music and poetry.

For centuries, these compositions have been created on the Kora, a 21-string instrument with harp-like sounds. Like the stories themselves, the musical skills required to play the Kora are passed along to descendants, which has made the instrument a prominent fixture in traditional African tribal music.

Every wine has a story, and Griot shares ours.

2008 Cuvée du Griot

Our "blend of the storyteller" was created in a traditional Bordeaux style blend known as "Claret." This inaugural release of Cuvée du Griot is composed of 48% Merlot, 47% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Syrah.

Sourced from four different vineyard blocks in the Napa Valley, the cuvée features Merlot and Petit Verdot selected from a small vineyard situated on the valley floor in Yountville, while Cabernet Franc and Syrah were coveted because of their distinct fruit flavors and proximity to the cooler climate of the Carneros region.

The four varietals were harvested by hand, aged for 26 months in French oak barrels, and then blended to heighten the essence of dark fruit flavors and terroir expressed in this distinctive Napa Valley cuvée.