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Gemstone

Gemstone is a boutique Napa Valley estate founded in 1996 on a 30-acre property in Yountville, producing Bordeaux-variety wines from estate-grown fruit. The Estate Red Wine and Facets of Gemstone are the flagship expressions — Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blends with supporting Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. The estate Yountville block grows on alluvial benchland soils with mixed gravel and clay, producing Cabernet of moderate weight and aromatic finesse rather than the mountain-fruit power of Howell Mountain or Spring Mountain. Philippe Melka consulted on winemaking for a period, lending the wines his characteristic precision and concentration. The estate produces approximately 1,500 cases across its range, with DTC distribution the primary sales channel. At auction, Gemstone averages $175 per bottle across 223 lots with a remarkable ceiling of $3,137 — the latter likely for an exceptional large-format lot or extraordinary library vintage from the estate's early production. The average price is consistent with boutique Yountville Bordeaux-blend territory, and the wide range ($20–$3,137) reflects both modern commercial releases and rare library bottles from the late 1990s and early 2000s when the estate was building its initial reputation. The Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Facets of Gemstone have attracted favorable reviews from Wine Spectator and Vinous, with scores generally in the 91–93 range confirming the estate's consistent quality baseline.

Gemstone is a 30-acre estate in Yountville, Napa Valley, producing Bordeaux-variety blends from estate-grown fruit since 1996 in total production of approximately 1,500 cases per vintage.
The Estate Red Wine is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, grown on Yountville benchland alluvial soils — a cooler Napa sub-appellation that imparts aromatic finesse over mountain power.
Philippe Melka served as consulting winemaker for a period, lending his precision-focused style to the estate's blend program during years that built Gemstone's initial collector following.
223 lots average $175 per bottle with a ceiling of $3,137; the extraordinary peak — against a $175 average — reflects the premium commanded by rare large-format or early-library bottles from the estate's founding decade.

Auction Lots

270

Avg Price / Bottle

$125

Top Vintage

2003

Price Range

$15 – $3.1k

In the Glass

Gemstone Estate Red is a refined, Yountville Bordeaux blend: blackcurrant, plum, cedar, tobacco, and floral lift from the Yountville valley floor terroir. The Cabernet Sauvignon backbone provides structure and aging potential; Merlot adds roundness and mid-palate texture; Cabernet Franc contributes aromatic complexity. The style is precise rather than powerful — well-integrated oak and polished tannins built for 10–20 years.

Portfolio

WineColourAvg PriceLots SoldTop Vintage
Estate Red WineRed$188882003
Gemstone, YountvilleRed$87782007
Estate Cabernet SauvignonRed$95622014
Facets of GemstoneRed$114342003
Alluvial Cabernet SauvignonRed$8082015

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Gemstone is based in the California wine region.

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