Delectus Winery

Explore our selection of Delectus wines for sale, including mature Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Gerhard Reisacher's era at the winery, such as Beckstoffer Georges III and French Wedding Vineyard bottlings. Browse available vintages and current prices.

About Delectus

Delectus Winery was founded in 1995 by Austrian-born winemaker Gerhard Reisacher and Linda Butler. Gerhard, an eighth-generation winemaker, studied winemaking and viticulture in Austria and came to California in 1986, working at Monticello Cellars, Far Niente, Pine Ridge and Clos Du Val before focusing on Delectus. In 2005 the couple bought a mountain property in Knights Valley, in the Mayacamas range near Peter Michael Winery, and planted Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. In 2016 the Delectus brand was sold to Vintage Wine Estates, and Gerhard left to pursue other projects. The wines we offer come from his time at the winery.

Our Visit with Gerhard Reisacher

We once had the rare opportunity to spend an entire day with Gerhard. An El Niño storm was in full effect, so instead of walking the slippery, steep vineyard, we sheltered in the Saint Helena tasting room. Over delicious wine and cheese, we learned a lot about Gerhard and Delectus.

The first thing we noticed was the soil on display, showing how the estate vineyard differs from other Napa sites. Many of the rocks were as big as a fist, mixed with pebbles, sand and very little dirt. It was easy to picture how the soil acts as a sieve for rainwater, leaving little surface water and forcing the vines' roots to dig deep. It also means the grapes are barely affected when it rains near harvest. When we asked Gerhard whether this was the key to why mountain fruit is so coveted, he quickly answered "No": it is only one of many reasons.

Another is climate. Mountain temperatures are more moderate than on the valley floor, warmer in the morning and cooler at midday, with plenty of nighttime cooling to keep good acidity. According to Gerhard, grapevines essentially shut down above about 94°F. A valley vine might start "working" after the fog burns off at 11 a.m., shut down a couple of hours later as temperatures spike, then work another hour or two before sunset. Mountain vines above the fog line can work from sunrise to sunset, with less scorching heat, producing wines that are more concentrated, tannic and inky.

A mountain site was Gerhard's singular focus when he searched for land for the Delectus estate vineyard. He called the Knights Valley property "The Ranch": it faces south, with plantable land at roughly 1,200 to 2,200 feet.

By the end of our visit, we had tasted most of his wines, and we were reminded why we love them so much. They are balanced and graceful, and flavors that sound bold in his tasting notes are subtle and elegant in the glass. Gerhard made his wines to age and preferred that they spend at least three to five years in bottle before drinking. It is rare to find a winemaker so committed to patience, and the combination of soil, elevation and microclimate with Gerhard's experience and tenacity is what made Delectus so special. Our favorites were the Bear Crossing Cabernet and Cuvée Julia.

At Aabalat Fine & Rare Wines, we offer a changing selection of Delectus wines. Explore the available wines below to find your next addition to the cellar.