Winemaking

Napa Station wines are crafted from grapes grown exclusively in sustainably farmed Napa Valley vineyards.  Expressive, full and harmonious, each varietal is an authentic representation of the unique characteristics of the vineyard and vintage. The wines are beautifully balanced in fruit, acid and tannins.

Winemaker Faith Armstrong-Foster comes from a large family on a remote island off the coast of British Columbia, Faith treasures her memories of long evenings spent around the family table, sharing ideas and projects. Faith has come to realize the ability of a glass of wine with food to provide that atmosphere of convivial communication among friends and family, the desire to sit and linger together, despite our current fast paced lifestyles.

She began her involvement with the wine industry at Ironstone Vineyards as Tasting Room Manager. Several years later, after working in marketing and promoting wine events in San Francisco, she found herself wanting to be intimately related to wine from the ground up, so she started down the path to become a winemaker. What followed was a full Regents scholarship to the University of California at Davis, and a Degree in Viticulture and Enology with Highest Honors in 2006.

Moving to the Napa Valley after graduation, she began working for Frank Family Vineyards as a Lab Technician, was soon promoted to Enologist and in 2008 became their Assistant Winemaker. At Frank Family, she was involved in all aspects of making highly acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, sparkling wine, and port for four years. Beginning in 2009 Faith launched her own brand, Onward Wines, and since 2011, Faith is now solely focused consulting for Napa Station and making her own wines. Faith has a strong commitment to our environment, she believes that sound practices are not only essential for the survival of our wine industry, but they also produce the highest quality wine. Faith is extremely proud to be working with the Huwiler family with their strong commitment to sustainability, the Huwiler family’s authenticity is clearly expressed in Napa Station wines.

Faith lives in Napa with her husband, Sean Foster, Senior Winemaker at Merryvale Vineyards, and their three boys, dog, cat and seven hens. In addition to winemaking, she enjoys volunteering at her children’s school, gardening, and sharing meals with friends and family.

Sauvignon Blanc - Fermented exclusively in stainless steel tanks and aged on the lees without stirring. The absence of malolactic fermentation enhances the wine’s crisp varietal expression.

Chardonnay - Fermented in stainless steel and small oak barrels.  This wine undergoes partial malolactic fermentation to add to its richness without overpowering the impeccable fruit quality.

Cabernet Sauvignon – Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot.  Extended maceration on the skins, 15 months in small oak puncheons and new French and American oak barriques. This wine is bottled unfiltered.