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WINEMAKING TECHNICAL REVIEW Venge for Hunnicutt and Mike Hirby for D.R. Stephens. A winery in a cave Vincent Georges' The Cave Co. dug the 10,000 square feet of caves that are home to the winery as well as a larger partial "cut and cover" space that con- tains fermentation tanks. Digging began March 1, 2010, and the winery moved in Aug. 22, 2011. The fermentation cellar at Hunnicutt is home to 21 tanks, 16 of which are built to hold 1,500 gal- lons. At full capacity, the winery can produce 15,000 cases per year but has a permit for 25,000. Stephens and his dad reasoned that a quality wine at a price lower than the D.R. Stephens label (typically $100-plus) had potential, so they merged the companies. Hunnicutt wines are mostly $30 to $48. It seemed the perfect match: D.R. Ste- phens owns 15 acres of estate vineyards but no winery, while Hunnicutt has no vineyards (it contracts for grapes from 12 vineyards) and will provide production space for both brands. They keep the wine brands distinct and don't market the wines together. The two brands even have different winemakers, Stephens was very happy with The Cave Co. and most of his other contrac- tors, but he was so unhappy with the gen- eral contractor he used that he wouldn't even disclose the name. Interestingly, no engineer or architect was required to dig the cave, though Ste- phens had to get a mine permit from the federal government and permits for the entrances from Napa County. By contrast, getting the permits to build a winery in Napa County can be very challenging. Stephens leases space to a number of other wine brands besides Hunnicutt, naturally starting with D.R. Stephens. Winemakers Venge and Hirby make wine for the other brands produced at the winery. Most operate as alternating proprietors, though a few operate with Bauer Associates Geotechnical Engineers and Geologists Providing Geotechnical Engineering Services for Wineries, Commercial and Residential Projects Bryce@bauergeotech.com • 707-887-2505 Bryce Bauer 30 Wines & Vines DeCeMBeR 2011