2023 Violet's Paradise, Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Moon Mountain District AVA, Sonoma County, California

“Violet’s Paradise is my ode to Monte Rosso, the vineyards I worked for nearly 11 years. My debut portfolio is inspired by more than my experience as the vineyard manager, but as the place that helped shape me. My wines represent the memories of working alongside people who had been farming historic Monte Rosso longer than I’ve been alive, and who taught me their techniques. My wines also honor the memory of my vineyard dog, Violet Mae, whose presence helped team members connect in challenging moments. Each Violet’s Paradise wine is a capsule of history, as my team and I stewarded the vineyard toward its next chapter of life.”

— Brenae Royal, Founder & Winemaker, Violet’s Paradise Wines

Brenae Royal spent nearly 11 years farming Monte Rosso. She learned from the people who had been working that soil longer than she had been alive. She stewarded one of California’s most historically significant vineyards — established in 1886 on the volcanic red hill loam of the Mayacamas Mountains, farmed through Prohibition, home to the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon planted in the United States — through its next chapter of life. And then she made wine from it. Violet’s Paradise is the prestige debut of a Black woman winemaker, farmer, and founder building one of the most intentional and community-driven wine companies in California: a people-first enterprise using land access, innovative production, and mentorship to redefine the wine industry from the ground up, reinvesting in the next generation through the Violet’s Paradise Agriculture Scholarship. This is not just winemaking. This is institution-building. And the 2023 Monte Rosso Cabernet Franc is the fullest expression of everything Brenae Royal has earned the right to build.

100% Cabernet Franc from the Moon Mountain District AVA, grown in volcanic soils at 690 to 1,300 feet elevation. Hand-sorted grapes, stemless fermentation in neutral barrels with native yeast, 7 to 14 days of maceration, and 26 months of aging in neutral oak — a winemaking protocol designed to let the vineyard speak without interference. Monte Rosso’s position above the fog line provided consistent light exposure and cooling afternoon breezes throughout the 2023 season, preserving acidity while allowing slow, even ripening across all blocks. The result is a wine of extraordinary tension and grace: violets, black pepper, and cherry on the nose; a mineral-driven palate of boysenberry and black raspberry; intense, savory, refined mountain tannins; and the kind of vibrant natural acidity that makes a 15.0% ABV mountain Cabernet Franc feel structured and alive rather than heavy. Scored 92 points. Site-driven, age-worthy, and built to carry decades of Monte Rosso history in every glass.

Critical Acclaim

• 92 Points — Wine Spectator

Wine Details & Tasting Notes

Tasting Notes: Aromas of violets, black pepper, and cherry. Mineral-driven palate of boysenberry and black raspberry with intense, savory mountain tannins and vibrant natural acidity. Structured, elegant, and supple — power and finesse in genuine balance. Long, layered, age-worthy finish.

• Origin – Monte Rosso Vineyard, Moon Mountain District AVA, Sonoma County, California (690–1,300 ft elevation; volcanic red hill loam soils; established 1886)
• Producer – Violet’s Paradise Wines; Black woman-owned; founded by Brenae Royal — Black woman winemaker, farmer, and community builder; nearly 11 years as Monte Rosso vineyard manager; people-first mission; Violet’s Paradise Agriculture Scholarship; certified organic
• Varietal – Cabernet Franc (100%)
• Winemaking – Hand-sorted; stemless fermentation in neutral barrels with native yeast; 7–14 days maceration; 26 months in neutral oak
• Style – Dry red wine (high-altitude; single-vineyard; certified organic; prestige; age-worthy)
• ABV – 15.0%

2023 Vintage Notes

Monte Rosso’s elevated position above the fog line provided consistent light exposure and cooling afternoon breezes throughout the 2023 season — a vintage defined by slow, even ripening without the heat spikes that have characterized warmer Sonoma years. The volcanic red hill loam retained just enough moisture through the dry summer months to support balanced vine stress, allowing Cabernet Franc to develop full phenolic maturity while preserving the freshness, aromatics, and mountain tension that define this site at its best. The result is a wine that marries power and finesse — dense in fruit, grounded in minerality, lifted by vibrant natural acidity, and built for the long haul.

Food Pairing

The violets, black pepper, cherry, boysenberry, black raspberry, savory spice, and refined mountain tannins of this Moon Mountain District Cabernet Franc make it a wine built for the most elegant and intentionally prepared meals. Pairs beautifully with herb-crusted rack of lamb, duck breast with cherry reduction, and roasted bone-in ribeye — the mountain tannins and vibrant acidity cut through richness and amplify savory depth. The mineral-driven palate and floral aromatics make it a wonderful match for truffle pasta, mushroom risotto, and slow-braised short ribs. Also exceptional alongside aged hard cheeses, fig and walnut accompaniments, and any charcuterie board built for a serious wine conversation. Decant 45–60 minutes. Serve at 64–68°F. Cellaring potential: 10–15 years.

Occasion

This is your prestige California Cabernet Franc — the bottle for milestone celebrations, serious wine gifting, collector additions, and any occasion that deserves a 92-point, single-vineyard, certified organic mountain red from one of California’s most historic vineyard sites, made by one of the most visionary and community-driven Black women winemakers working in American wine today. A wine that carries 140 years of Monte Rosso history, 11 years of Brenae Royal’s stewardship, and the memory of a vineyard dog named Violet Mae in every glass.

About Violet’s Paradise Wines & Monte Rosso Vineyard

Violet’s Paradise Wines is the prestige debut from Brenae Royal — a people-first wine company using land access, innovative beverage production, and intentional mentorship to redefine the wine industry through farming, winemaking, retail, and hospitality. Violet’s Paradise creates paid work opportunities from production to point of sale and reinvests in the next generation through the Violet’s Paradise Agriculture Scholarship. The name honors Violet Mae, Brenae’s vineyard dog, whose presence helped her team connect through the challenging moments of farming one of California’s most demanding and historic sites.

Monte Rosso Vineyard was established in 1886 by Emmanuel Goldstein, originally planted to Zinfandel (4th oldest in the world), Semillon (2nd oldest in the world), Muscat, and Burger. Farmed through Prohibition and sold to Louis M. Martini in 1938, Monte Rosso became home to the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon planted in the United States in 1940. The vineyard sits on the southwestern face of the Mayacamas Mountains between 690 and 1,300 feet elevation in the Moon Mountain District AVA above Sonoma Valley — volcanic red hill loam soils, above the fog line, shaped by nearly 140 years of continuous viticulture.

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