Hobo Wines Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County, California

Dark berries and cassis meet savory herbs, subtle earth and restrained oak in 2024 Hobo Wines Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a fresh, structured interpretation of California Cabernet built around fruit rather than extraction. For the 2024 release, Hobo sources the wine from the organically certified, dry-farmed Larrick Vineyard, where mature terraced vines produce small yields with concentration at relatively modest sugar levels. Light extraction and extended aging in second-fill French oak reflect founder and winemaker Kenny Likitprakong's long-standing pursuit of Cabernet that combines California fruit with freshness, moderate proportions and a more classically structured feel.

Product Details:

• Founder & Winemaker: Kenny Likitprakong
• Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
• Vineyard: Larrick Vineyard
• Vineyard Size: Approximately 2 acres
• Vine Age: Planted in the early 1990s
• Vineyard Exposure: Steep to gently sloping southwest-facing terraces
• Farming: Dry-farmed; certified organic in 2023
• Extraction: Light extraction
• ABV: 13.3%
• Aging: 18 months in second-fill French oak

Sensory Description:

Dark berry and cassis fruit form the core of a restrained, medium-bodied Cabernet profile, with savory herbal tones, subtle earth, and gentle oak spice adding complexity. The fruit remains bright rather than heavy, supported by fresh acidity and a firm but measured tannic structure. Second-fill French oak contributes texture and quiet spice without dominating the fruit, carrying the wine into a dry, composed finish with an appealing balance of California ripeness and old-school restraint.

Winemaker's Background:

Hobo Wine Company was founded by Kenny Likitprakong in 2002 as a small, independently operated Sonoma County wine project centered on freshness, responsible farming, and an intentionally restrained approach to California wine. Raised in Sonoma County, Likitprakong has built Hobo around long-term relationships with growers while gradually taking a more direct role in farming selected sites, including the Larrick Vineyard, which the company began farming in 2017. The winery favors organically grown fruit, native fermentations and relatively hands-off cellar practices, with the aim of completing the most important work in the vineyard rather than relying on corrective techniques after harvest. Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel have remained central to the Hobo label, with the Cabernet conceived as an alternative to heavily extracted California styles, retaining ripe varietal fruit while emphasizing acidity, moderate structure and versatility at the table.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at approximately 16-18°C in a Bordeaux-style red wine glass, with a brief period of aeration allowing the dark fruit and savory character to open. Its combination of Cabernet structure, fresh acidity and restrained oak makes it well suited to grilled steak, roast beef, lamb, burgers and braised meats, as well as mushroom dishes, lentils and firm aged cheeses.