Drive Asti Ridge Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, California

Black cherry, raspberry, violet, and baking spice emerge with energy and precision. The 2022 Drive Asti Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon showcases fruit from a high-elevation volcanic hillside vineyard above Alexander Valley, one of the final sites planted under the direction of renowned vineyard manager Ulises Valdez Sr. Produced by Drive Wines, a Sonoma County winery founded by viticulture and enology classmates John Musto and Tom Young, the wine reflects a commitment to distinctive vineyard sites, hands-on craftsmanship, and authentic regional expression.

Product Details:

• Owners: John Musto, Tom Young
• Winemaker: John Musto
• Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Vineyard Source: Asti Ridge Vineyard
• Soil: Volcanic hillside soils
• Harvest Date: September 10, 2022
• Fermentation: 11-day fermentation
• Malolactic Fermentation: Completed in barrel
• ABV: 14.8%

Sensory Description:

The 2022 Drive Asti Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon opens with expressive aromas of raspberry pie filling, black cherry, sweet caramel, cinnamon, and fresh violet. The palate is vibrant and concentrated, delivering layers of ripe cherry, vanilla cream, purple flowers, licorice, and barrel spice. Despite its richness, the wine remains nimble and energetic, carried by fresh acidity and polished tannins that provide structure without heaviness. The finish lingers with notes of dark fruit, baking spice, and floral lift, retaining focus and balance throughout.

Winemaker's Background:

Drive Wines was founded by John Musto and Tom Young, who met while studying viticulture and enology at Santa Rosa Junior College in 2015. Their partnership began with a single barrel of Russian River Valley Zinfandel produced in Tom Young’s garage, a wine that earned a Silver Medal at the Sonoma County Harvest Fair and sparked the vision for a winery dedicated to vineyard-driven wines.

The name Drive Wines was inspired by the garage where the project took shape, a workspace used by vineyard owner Pete Lewis to restore vintage racing cars. In exchange for vineyard management work, Musto and Young gained access to grapes and production space, building their experience through multiple award-winning amateur releases before launching Drive as a professional winery. Today, John leads winemaking and direct-to-consumer sales while Tom oversees vineyard operations and wholesale relationships. Their wines focus on exceptional vineyard sites and transparent expressions of Sonoma County terroir.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at 15 to 17 degrees Celsius after 30 to 60 minutes of decanting to highlight aromatic complexity and structure. Enjoy in a large Bordeaux-style glass alongside grilled ribeye, herb-crusted lamb, braised short ribs, wild mushroom dishes, aged Gouda, cheddar, or other firm cheeses. Its combination of vibrant fruit, freshness, and polished tannins also allows it to evolve beautifully in the glass on its own.