About the Icons
Hourglass is two vineyards, a winery and a compilation of estate wines: a vision unfolding...  Jeff Smith founded Hourglass in 1997 from his family’s 4-acre parcel located just north of St. Helena, where Napa Valley forms its narrowest point, the “pinch” of the Hourglass. The storied Cabernet Sauvignon produced from this vineyard started the journey that continues to unfold today. The magic of this vineyard property would soon prove itself, as it debuted in a blind tasting alongside the recognized California Cabernet giants of the day and held its own in that rare company.The Blueline Estate was acquired in 2006. This vineyard property was formed by the “blueline” streams that drain the canyons sweeping up into the mountains above the property, creating the riverbed soils that underpin the character of the wines from Blueline Estate. Here, Hourglass farms the five classic Bordeaux varieties, and produces small quantities of deeply concentrated, yet vibrantly alive wines.

Today, under the guiding hand of winemaker Tony Biagi, Hourglass continues to refine its approach and bring its estate wines to new heights of craft and expression. Hourglass strives to farm their vineyards mindfully, and produce terroir-driven wines of the highest character. HG III is Tony Biagi’s riff on a Napa Valley red blend. Created with select lots from the Blueline Estate and carefully sourced vineyards in Napa Valley, HG III embodies the deft balance of richness and vibrancy that is at the heart of what they do at Hourglass. Merlot offers sleek, approachable texture and bright red fruit components. Petite Sirah provides the anchoring bass notes of dark blue and black fruit, and Cabernet Sauvignon weaves these together with structural framing and elegant refinement; the final blend was aged for 15 months in a combination new and seasoned French oak.