Cathiard Vineyards Collection

A Bordeaux Dynasty Crosses the Atlantic When Florence and Daniel Cathiard—the visionary owners behind Bordeaux’s legendary Graves icon Château Smith Haut Lafitte—set their sights on Napa Valley, they didn't just want to make California wine; they sought to anchor a new pinnacle of Franco-American winemaking excellence. In 2020, they acquired the historic, secluded estate nestled against the majestic foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains in St. Helena (formerly the beloved Flora Springs estate). Reborn as Cathiard Vineyards, the property underwent a meticulous, multi-million-dollar modern renaissance. Combining centuries of rigorous Bordelais tradition with the vibrant, sun-drenched power of Napa Valley terroir, the Cathiard family has forged a brand-new benchmark for elite, world-class Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Mayacamas Foothills & Micro-Terroir Precision The estate features 60 sprawling acres, with 26 acres of pristine vineyards nestled in an exceptional micro-climate at the base of the Mayacamas range.

• The Valley and Hillside Fusion: This unique positioning means the vines sit on a combination of gentle valley-floor slopes and rugged hillsides, exposing them to cooling afternoon breezes that drop through the mountain gaps. This micro-climate guarantees slow, perfectly uniform ripening.

• Complex Alluvial Soils: The vineyard bed is a complex mosaic of well-draining volcanic rock, gravel, and alluvial silt. These poor, low-fertility soils stress the vines naturally, forcing them to produce incredibly small, thick-skinned berries packed with deep pigment, structure, and intense aromatic complexity.

• Certified Organic Conversion: Bringing their pioneering, biodiversity-focused "Bio-Precision" philosophy from Bordeaux, the Cathiards immediately transitioned the entirety of the historic vineyards to organic and biodynamic farming methods to elevate the natural voice of the soil.

The Sovereign Portfolio: Aristocratic Structure and Velvet Depth Crafted under the masterful guidance of the Smith Haut Lafitte technical team alongside elite local experts, the ultra-premium portfolio highlights pure varietal character and flawless blending architecture:

• Hora Napa Valley: Named after the goddess of the seasons, this exquisite, approachable proprietary red blend serves as the estate's introductory masterpiece. Dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon joined by Merlot and Malbec, it delivers an energetic profile of crunchy redcurrants, fresh plums, sweet cocoa dust, and silky, polished tannins.

• Cathiard Vineyards Flagship Cabernet Sauvignon: The definitive crowning achievement of the estate. Crafted predominantly from the absolute finest blocks of hillside Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Cabernet Franc, it is matured gracefully in custom-coopered French oak barrels shipped directly from their own cooperage in Bordeaux. It is an aristocratic, towering powerhouse showcasing brooding layers of cassis, black cherries, graphite, cedarwood, and majestic, fine-grained, velvety tannins built to evolve for decades.

Epicurean Food Pairings The magnificent balance of bold Napa fruit concentration and structured, savory Bordeaux-style acidity makes Cathiard Vineyards an absolute showstopper at the dinner table. It pairs phenomenally with:

• The Flagship Cabernet: Prime cuts of wood-fired dry-aged ribeye, rosemary-crusted rack of lamb, roasted venison loin with a dark berry reduction, or slow-braised beef short ribs.

• Hora Red Blend: Pan-seared duck breast, herb-roasted beef tenderloin, rich mushroom risottos, or artisanal charcuterie boards featuring aged cheeses and cured meats.

Shop Cathiard Vineyards at ZYN Discover the historic, cross-continental mastery of our Cathiard Vineyards collection in-store at ZYN Calgary or buy online at ZYN.ca. Every bottle is cradled in our temperature-controlled cellars with immaculate provenance, ensuring this rare fusion of Bordeaux lineage and Napa Valley sunshine arrives flawlessly at your table.