2020 · Educated Guess

Founded in 2005 by Mark Albrecht, Roots Run Deep is a family-owned Napa Valley producer sourcing grapes from vineyards across Napa, Sonoma, Lake County, Lodi and other California regions. Its portfolio spans accessible wines such as Educated Guess alongside limited-production, reserve-focused labels including Hypothesis and Higher Education. The winery emphasizes sustainable farming, careful vineyard selection and handcrafted winemaking, with styles ranging from everyday California favorites to site-driven Cabernet Sauvignon, particularly from Howell Mountain. Hypothesis explores how different sites shape wine character, favoring minimal intervention, balance, texture and sense of place. Macario Montoya has led the winemaking team since 2017; other notes also cite Barry Gnekow and techniques including barrel fermentation and flash détente.