As an only child, I spent countless evenings gathered around the dining room table with my parents and their friends. With no other rambunctious children to distract me, I would listen quietly, absorbing their stories and laughter—moments I now see as such a gift. One piece of writing that often found its way into those conversations was Kahlil Gibran’s poem “On Marriage.” I remember wondering why it resonated with them so deeply; now, I understand.
ON MARRIAGE
by Kahlil Gibran
Let there be spaces in your togetherness, And
let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores
of your souls. Fill each other’s cup but drink not
from one cup. Give one another of your bread
but eat not from the same loaf. Sing and dance
together and be joyous, but let each one of you
be alone, Even as the strings of the lute are alone
though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other’s
keeping. For only the hand of Life can contain
your hearts. And stand together, yet not too near
together: For the pillars of the temple stand
apart, And the oak tree and the cypress grow
not in each other’s shadow.
My husband and I deeply believe in the sacredness of marriage—and equally, in the importance of growing together in parallel. Not completely intertwined, not entirely dependent on one another, but evolving side by side in the same place. In many ways, our vineyards and wines follow a similar path, particularly the Leslie’s Blend and Susan’s Blanc. Both are grown on steep hillsides above the fog line, both are crafted in honor of my parents, and both are blended to express the truest reflection of site and place. We produce the Susan’s Blanc only in exceptional vintages, when the growing conditions are ideal. In that way, its release alongside Leslie’s Blend feels like a rare alignment—two distinct expressions, complete in their individuality, rooted in the same soil, yet deeply connected in spirit.
As we close the year, I’m pleased to share the 2021 Rudd Mt. Veeder Estate Leslie’s Blend and 2023 Rudd Mt. Veeder Estate Susan’s Blanc—a pair that beautifully embodies both strength and grace. The 2021 Rudd Mt. Veeder Estate Leslie’s Blend reveals remarkable depth and tension, a vintage defined by precision and power, where dark fruit and polished structure meet in perfect balance. The 2023 Rudd Mt. Veeder Estate Susan’s Blanc, by contrast, is radiant and finely textured, marked by crystalline acidity and layers of citrus, white blossom, and minerality. Together, they speak to the duality of Mt. Veeder—its ruggedness and its refinement—each wine distinct yet harmoniously aligned.
These wines are crafted to age gracefully. Whenever possible, I hope you’ll enjoy them together—in celebration of my parents and all the enduring relationships that inspire us to grow, both independently and side by side.
All the best,
Samantha Rudd
2023 Rudd Mt. Veeder Estate Susan’s Blanc
The 2023 vintage was one of the longest growing seasons in more than a decade. With steady and mild weather throughout the season, coupled with a balanced crop load, 2023 had all the hallmarks of a memorable vintage. Winter and spring rains led to saturated soil and optimal timing for budbreak. Idyllic spring weather maintained healthy canopy growth through bloom and fruit set, while relatively cool weather throughout the growing season allowed sugar accumulation and phenolic ripeness to occur in tandem. The first pick of Sauvignon Blanc occurred on September 3rd, which traditionally is picked in mid-August. The fruit continued to be harvested by hand at the Mt. Veeder Estate over the next 17 days, with Sauvignon Gris on September 11th, and the final pick of Semillon taking place on September 20th.
The 2023 Rudd Mt. Veeder Estate Susan’s Blanc unfolds with an exceptional bouquet of rich wildflower honey, crisp Asian pear, and the subtle warmth of lightly toasted almond. Hints of white flower blossom, delicate green tea, and a whisper of dried thistle lend both freshness and aromatic depth, making this one of the most intricate and captivating expressions we have crafted to date.
On the palate, vivid notes of lemon, pomelo grapefruit, and intense key lime take center stage, each defined by a zesty purity of acidity. Layers of yellow plum and fresh summer melon round the midpalate, balancing brightness and depth. The wine’s composition is seamless—bright yet grounded, concentrated yet lifted—carrying its citrus energy through a long, resonant finish. The 2023 Rudd Mt. Veeder Estate Susan’s Blanc is a study in poise and luminosity, vibrant and generous, creating its own class of wine. It will continue to evolve gracefully over the next two decades.
2021 Rudd Mt. Veeder Estate Leslie’s Blend
The 2021 vintage was a gift from Mother Nature. The year commenced with little rain, leading to an early budbreak with the second year of drought conditions in Napa Valley. Mild spring temperatures allowed for an easy renewal to the growing season with temperatures rising in the summer months, accelerating the start of harvest. With smaller canopies protecting the clusters, more sun was allowed in, quickening the ripening of the grapes, in a way we have not seen before. 2021 was among the earliest harvests on record for red varietals from our Mt. Veeder Estate, with some red varietals reaching optimal ripeness ahead of the Oakville Estate, a first in our history. A small yielding vintage, we were able to harvest all eight acres of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot in three picks over six days.
The 2021 Rudd Mt. Veeder Leslie’s Blend opens with captivating intensity driven by dark-roasted espresso, bittersweet chocolate, and fresh green peppercorn leading the way. Beneath the spice, supple notes of sweet new leather, red cassis, and wild blackberries unfurl in layers, revealing a deep resonant bouquet that continues to evolve and gain complexity as the wine continues to open in the glass.
On the palate, the wine reveals a broad, layered personality that mirrors its aromatic depth. Blackberry and cassis lead with purity and concentration, framed by firm yet impeccably refined tannins that build gracefully across the palate. Subtle notes of star anise and a distinctive gravelly minerality emerge mid-palate, adding nuance and dimension to its dense, mouthcoating texture. A quintessential example of power balanced by precision, the 2021 Rudd Mt. Veeder Estate Leslie’s Blend is bold and deeply fruited, yet composed and elegant in its structure—a wine that marries strength with sophistication. It will continue to evolve beautifully over the next three decades.