ABOUT QUIVET CELLARS
Quivet Cellars is named in honor of Quivet Neck, an area of Dennis, Massachusetts located on the bay side of Cape Cod. Quivet Neck is as unique as the wines that bear its name. Originally settled in 1637, it was here that salt was commercially extracted from seawater around the time of the revolutionary war. Salt was a valuable commodity in colonial America, and the area prospered until the discovery of salt deposits and mining.
Quivet Neck then became home to a vibrant shipbuilding industry. The original clippers, called Shivericks, were built here with the last launched in 1863. According to local history, native sons from the area captained eight of these fine ships. The captains returned home with whale oil and pineapples that became a symbol of hospitality. The result of these captains' legacy is that Quivet Neck is home to many examples of captains' homes, national historic landmarks, and open spaces such as Crowe's Pasture. The Cape is an area from which several of the founders of Quivet Cellars have had strong family ties. It was only appropriate that Paul Mason first suggested that we call this wine Quivet Cellars after this rich heritage.
How did four guys - one from Chicago and three from Massachusetts - decide to make great wines with our winemaker Mike Smith? Duane Mason was first introduced to our winemaker Mike Smith while sampling a wine made by Thomas Brown named "Outpost." Mike was assisting Thomas in the making of several wines, as well as, Nicholson Ranch and the Cabernets of Fred Schrader originally of Coglin-Schrader in the 1990's.
Duane had been a founding partner of Qupe in 1982 and of Prism Venture Partners, so he understood the wine business and what drives successful entrepreneurs. He believed that Mike has a unique ability to make great wines.
Mike has always had a passion for fine wine and decided to move to St. Helena to pursue his career in earnest and create his own label - Myriad Cellars (www.myriadcellars.com). Mike and Duane developed a friendship over the next several years that centered on their mutual enjoyment for fine wine. It was during one of their meetings and discussions of fine wine that Duane first asked Mike if he would be interested in making ultra premium Cabernet and Syrah. Mike's answer resulted in a partnership between Joseph Masse, a retired Marketing Professional in the Pharmaceutical Industry, John Brooks III, a Founding General Partner of Prism Ventures and Paul Mason, an Internet Marketing Executive.
Our mission is clear. To produce the finest Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from select vineyard locations with unique soils and sunlight in Napa or Sonoma Counties by using superior winemaking techniques and the best of French oak and blending. Enjoy!
