Historia
Ric Forman founded Forman Vineyard in 1983 to fulfill a dream of producing, as a sole proprietor, small quantities of classically made Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
After a three year search of the Napa Valley for the perfect location, he purchased, in 1978, the current winery/vineyard site which is perched on a ridge at the base of Howell Mountain overlooking the town of St. Helena. A remarkable site, it has produced some unusually elegant wines from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot.
"A philosophy of winemaking which follows more a traditional approach as opposed to technological appealed to me early in my career. I would say that a familiarity with European tradition has seriously influenced my style and hence the fashion with which I designed and built my winery."
Grapes are gently handled from harvest through fermentation. Small stainless steel fermentors for red wines and new Burgundy barrels for white seem fitting for the need to pay close attention to detail during the winemaking process.
Deep caves have been constructed which maintain a cool dark and humid environment in which to age red wine in new French oak barrels. The wines literally age in the soils from which they grew. The integration of the small stone cellar settled in the hillside surrounded by a courtyard and in touch with the deep caves below sets a mood which would recall that of a tiny European estate.
"Thus, with a wonderfully situated vineyard and deliberately planned cellar, I am fulfilling my dream and am constantly vigilant in personally making sure that each step is without compromise in the pursuit of producing the finest quality possible from my estate."