From Napa Valley's 'Rocky Hill' to Bottle: Artisanal Cabernet Sauvignon Reflecting Napa's Terroir

Driven by curiosity and creativity, Cuong Pham transitioned from an ex-Apple engineer to crafting the world’s most esteemed Vietnamese fish Sauce, Red Boat Fish Sauce. In 2024, Cuong and his family launched a Napa Valley wine project called Đổi Dá (pronounced Doy DAH) which means Rocky Hill – an apt name for the hilly estate for which the wine is named.

The family is producing exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon rooted in the region’s scenic beauty and volcanic soils. Collaborating with acclaimed winemaker Nova Cadamatre, MW, Đồi Đá promises a wine that’s fresh, elegant, and resonates with the terroir-driven essence that both wine and fish sauce share.

The inaugural releases of Đồi Đá began with small, carefully sourced Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons while the estate vineyard was being established. These early wines, made from top sites in Oakville and Rutherford, reflect the project’s commitment to elegance, balance, and site expression, and were produced in very limited quantities.

At the same time, Cuong and his team laid the foundation for the future with the planting of the Đồi Đá estate vineyard on the rocky hillside property. Planted to several clones of Cabernet Sauvignon, along with small amounts of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, the vineyard was designed from the ground up to suit the site’s volcanic soils and natural contours. The first small estate harvest is anticipated soon, marking the next chapter in the evolution of Đồi Đá.