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BLACK COYOTE
CHATEAU WINERY

        2400 North Third Ave.
        Napa, CA 94558
        T: 707.252.2292

Dr. Ernest Bates found his refuge in the Napa Valley in 1997 and inspired by the vines. "I've always enjoyed fine wine and being inspired by the vineyards on my Napa property, I decided to create one of the first African American wineries in the Valley." He saw the wine industry and the Napa Valley lifestyle to be a refreshing break from his work in the competitive world of medicine and medical supplies. So in 2000, he formed the Black Coyote label with a few close friends.

Over the last few years, Dr. Bates and his partners have followed the latest trends in wine production. They slowly developed a plan and philosophy dedicated to producing some of the finest wines that the Napa Valley has to offer.

"This partnership is more like a fraternity, because we are friends focused on crafting special wines that reflect the greatness of the Napa Valley, California's premier grape growing region," explains Dr. Bates. "We are having fun and we are making truly wonderful wines."

Initially, they focused on making a great cabernet sauvignon. It began with sourcing cabernet grapes from Atlas Peak, an appellation known for its rocky, volcanic soils that lies north-east from Napa Valley. Even though it is fully exposed to sunlight throughout the day, our Atlas Peak vineyard sits at 1,800 feet of elevation so average temperatures are ten degrees cooler than on the Valley floor. The unique growing conditions, soil type and selected clones have helped create perfectly developed Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.

Black Coyote produces 600 to 800 cases of its signature Black Coyote Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon depending on vintage. Black Coyote's prized 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is the winner of the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition's Double Gold Medal, the 2009 XVII Concurso International Gold Medal, and Gold Medal and Best of the Best in the 2009 5th Annual Key Biscayne Wine and Food Festival.