Some of Napa Valley’s most distinctive Cabernet Sauvignons are produced in small quantities, making them harder to find on traditional retail shelves. Buying directly from the winery gives you access to current releases, limited-production bottlings, and to the people who made the wine. At Handwritten Wines in Yountville, we invite you to explore our collection of small-lot Cabernet Sauvignon through our online wine shop and Member Circle.
What Does Small-Lot Mean When You Buy Napa Cabernet Online?
Small-lot describes wine made in limited quantities, often from specific vineyard blocks and bottled in small batches rather than blended for volume. That is one reason to buy from a winery that can tell you where the fruit was grown.
The practical effect is scarcity. Cases are limited, distribution is narrow, and a bottle you loved last spring may not be on a store shelf this fall. Buying online from the producer solves a search problem as much as a shopping one.
Origin matters most when quantities are small. Handwritten’s Napa Cabernet Sauvignon comes from Napa Valley, Oakville, Yountville, Atlas Peak, and Howell Mountain, and each place carries its own character. To see how, read The Definitive Guide to Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
How Do You Buy Napa Cabernet Directly From the Winery?
Three routes lead to a winery’s cellar: the online shop, the wine club, and the allocation list. The shop is open to everyone and shows each wine with its vintage, origin, and price, so you can compare bottles side by side. A club membership offers first access to limited bottlings. An allocation means the winery sets bottles aside for members, and some wines are offered only to that group.
What Does Handwritten Wines Offer Online?
Start in the wine shop to shop Handwritten wines. You will find wines available to everyone and, some ome wines, such as the 2022 Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon, are marked for club members only.
The Member Circle gives members access to these limited bottlings as well as exclusive events. Membership is offered through three allocation clubs, each delivered twice per year with Spring and Fall releases: Trilogy Club (three-bottle shipments), Anthology Six (six-bottle shipments), and Anthology Twelve (12-bottle shipments). Every club includes premiere access to limited bottlings and complimentary shipping on allocated wine orders of three or more bottles. You can join the Member Circle wine club to secure your place on the allocation list.
Each club also carries tasting benefits. Members receive complimentary tasting-experience options for up to four guests (Trilogy Club and Anthology Six) or up to six guests (Anthology Twelve), plus a Bread & Butter tasting twice per year for two guests (Trilogy Club), four guests (Anthology Six), or six guests (Anthology Twelve).
How Do You Choose a Small-Lot Napa Cabernet as a Gift?
Start with the recipient, not the label. For someone new to Napa Cabernet, choose a wine whose origin you can describe in a sentence. The story is part of the gift. For a collector, a club-only or limited bottling signals that you chose with care.
Check the vintage, and read the origin on the product page. If you want a bottle tied to a specific place, Atlas Peak, Howell Mountain, Oakville, and Yountville each offer a different starting point.
What Should You Expect When Your Wine Ships?
Handwritten Wines ships to most states. It does not currently ship to Mississippi, Delaware, Maine, or Utah. Temperature-controlled shipments travel in pulp packaging rather than Styrofoam. Delivery timelines vary, so plan ahead when you order for a specific date. Expedited air service is available for an additional charge.
An adult aged 21 or older must sign for every shipment. We recommend shipping to a business address or a FedEx Office location, where someone can be present to receive the package. Club members receive complimentary shipping on allocated wine orders of three or more bottles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do club shipments arrive?
Which states does Handwritten Wines not ship to?
Is an adult signature required for delivery?
Where does Handwritten’s Napa Cabernet Sauvignon come from?
Ready to order?
Shop Handwritten Wines’ current releases, and join the Member Circle to secure your allocation. We saved a place for you.