decoy noun
de•coy /ˈdiː.kɔɪ/
- a bird or mammal, or an imitation of one, used by hunters to attract other birds or mammals.
- a high quality, approachable and premium Napa Valley wine stocked by Dhall & Nash“Wow this barbeque would be great with some Decoy wine”
At Dhall & Nash, we’re proud of all our wineries – after all, each and every winery partner is hand-picked using Brandon and Puneet’s unique sourcing method, which unearths the greatest wines – but we do admit to having a bit of a special pride in our American portfolio!
Our penchant for American wines led us to Duckhorn six years ago – a Napa Valley estate known primarily for producing some of the world’s finest Merlot since the 1970’s – and that in turn has led us to our newest gem, Decoy. No tricks, illusions or decoys here! Okay, well there are two decoys, but they’re the best kind – Duckhorn quality wines, at approachable entry points.
About Duckhorn (The Parent Brand)
Established in 1976 by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn, at the time it was one of just 40 Napa Valley wineries. Today, there are upwards of 400 now!
In 1978, they released their inaugural vintage: 800 cases of Merlot from the now coveted Three Palms Vineyard and 800 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag’s Leap District and Howell Mountain – and it was only up from there as they slowly but surely became Merlot royalty.
Duckhorn was named in Wine & Spirits Magazine’s Top 100 Wineries for 2017 (one of only 35 wineries in the U.S. and 20 wineries in California). A similar accolade can be found in The Daily Meal, who named Duckhorn as one of the Top 101 American Wineries for 2017, stating that “since its tightly focused early years, Duckhorn has taken flight…” (hah!) Even Forbes passionately weighed in on the Duckhorn phenomenon, citing all the way back in 2015 that they had “The Best California Merlot Ever”, and then reaffirming their opinions with an article in 2018 highlighting their resounding successes.
And the praise doesn’t just come from critics. Our own Puneet Dhall had this to say after visiting the winery in 2018: “When you enter the Duckhorn Estate, just on the side of Howell Mountain – down the Silverado trail, just outside Rutherford, you begin to see how the super premium side works. Incredible landscaping, beautiful buildings, impressive cellar doors…”
The ‘Decoy’ - Same Same, but Different
So it’s pretty evident that Duckhorn is synonymous with Merlot! But there’s many more arrows in their quiver. Wanting to work with their signature quality, the Duckhorns started to make spin-offs (most appropriately duck themed, of course!) which included Paraduxx, Goldeneye, Migration, Kosta Browne, Decoy, Canvasback and Greenwing – each carving its own unique niche in the portfolio.
1985 saw the first ‘Decoy’ wine launched – a second-label red blend made at Duckhorn Vineyards. This exceptional wine quickly established a loyal following for its great quality, remarkable price, and its distinctive style, which expressed its full charm and complexity in its youth and for Decoy to ultimately in 2008 set itself up as a separate Duckhorn brand as opposed to just being their ‘second-label’. They also added a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as a Rosé and Brut Cuvée.
“Decoy Wine is a unique and affordable wine brand that offers exceptional quality and diverse flavor profiles, making it a must-try for wine enthusiasts of all levels. With its captivating labels and commitment to sustainability, Decoy Wine provides a gateway into the world of Duckhorn Vineyards, offering a delightful and memorable wine experience for casual gatherings and special occasions.”
– Jessica Corbett for Facts.net
Since branching out successfully from their 1600 first case vintages, the quality at Duckhorn has not decreased nor become overly commercialised, “When wine companies grow, there is often an assumption that quality will suffer,” says winemaking vice president and winemaker, Renée Ary, when talking with Haute Living San Francisco. “I think we have disproved that idea. For us, growth has meant new state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, the addition of amazing estate vineyards like Three Palms and the resources to continue to make both widely-distributed and small-production winery-only wines using the kind of hands-on, small-lot techniques that are essential to achieving excellence.”
Duckhorn – and by extension, Decoy’s – philosophy is very people-centred this way, in that they can adopt innovative and modern aids but they remain at their core, very connected to the hands that work to shape their wines. One of these people, Dana Epperson, was mentored by Mark Beringer, a former Duckhorn winemaker. Talking again to HLSF, she explained, “In a way, I studied the Duckhorn style before I ever joined The Duckhorn Portfolio. Mark taught me to have a light touch as a winemaker and to create classic, balanced wines.”
She has brought this philosophy and ethos with her, and is now vice president of winemaking for Decoy.
“The wines act as a calling card, introducing new customers to the depth and diversity of our entire portfolio. For people who already know and trust Duckhorn, Decoy has become the go-to source for great wines that can be opened every day.”
Wine Brand of the Year 2020 + Other Praise
In 2020 (some would argue *the* year for wine drinking…), Market Watch magazine named Decoy the ‘Wine Brand of the Year,’ explaining “Because of its more attainable price point, Decoy has attracted a wide swath of consumers, pulling in millennials, Gen Xers, and Boomers alike.”
“Decoy is definitely for well-educated wine enthusiasts who will pay a bit more for a high-quality bottle of wine,” says [Carol] Reber (senior vice president). “They have been and continue to be our core consumers, and that group expands as younger generations climb up the life curve. There are Decoy consumers who are just coming into wine, where the price point is just a bit of a reach, as well as people who are looking for something that’s more of a Tuesday night wine.”
Wine brand of the year is one thing, but that’s not where Decoy’s praise ends! Jonathan Ray raves about the range in his ‘The Spectator’ article, “It was in this glutton’s/lush’s paradise that I encountered the Decoy range of Duckhorn Vineyards. I was instantly smitten. They are impeccable wines from a great Napa estate… We rarely offer California wines, least of all of this quality, and I urge you to get stuck in.”
The Beverage Journal, when announcing the launch of another line, explains “Decoy has a long-established reputation for delivering exceptional-quality wines.”
A theme is definitely emerging! Approachability, broad appeal and most importantly – Quality.
Decoys at Dhall & Nash
We’re extremely excited to be bringing Decoy to New Zealand for the first time, starting with two bottlings that we feel kiwi palates will absolutely adore…
Decoy Sonoma County Chardonnay 2022 California, United States
- 13.9% alc
- 20% Malolactic Fermentation. Aged 7 months in 100% French oak barrels (25% new, 75% neutral)
- 100% Chardonnay
With luxurious aromas of ripe mango, pineapple, Mandarin orange and sweet citrus zest, this vibrant Chardonnay beckons a first sip. On the smooth, supple palate, refreshing acidity adds poise and polish to the tropical fruit flavours, with hints of vanilla and toasted almonds adding complexity to a long, lush finish.
Decoy Zinfandel 2021 California, United States
- 14.1% alc
- Aged 12 months in 100% French oak (30% new, 70% neutral)
- 90% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah
This tantalising Zinfandel leaps from the glass with concentrated aromas of wild blueberry, blackberry, plum, vanilla and freshly cracked white pepper. The luxurious fruit and spice layers are echoed on the palate, where they glide across velvety tannins to a robust finish with just a hint of lingering sweetness.
