Lokoya is one of Napa Valley’s ultimate showstoppers – a Cabernet Sauvignon powerhouse that’s jaw-dropping and wallet-emptying.
These wines are born from high-elevation vineyards that push the limits of what Cabernet can be.
It’s bold. It’s rare. And it’s irresistible to collectors.
In just a few decades, Lokoya has already reached cult wine status. It is the kind of bottle that makes people sit up, take notice, and, let’s be real – reach for their credit cards.
Let’s break it down: the history, the wines, and why Lokoya is one of the hottest names in wine investment.
The history of Lokoya
Lokoya was founded in 1995 by Jess Jackson and Barabara Banke — the visionary behind Jackson Family Wines.
The name Lokoya was a tribute to the Native Americans who once inhabited the hills and mountains around Napa Valley. Some believe the phrase means “the place where geese fly over”.
Regardless of its true meaning, Lokoya always planned to reach great heights – in more ways than one.
The team’s mission was simple: to create single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons that showcase the unique character of Napa’s sub-regions. In particular, Jackson Family Wines dreamed of using the unique, high-elevation terroir of the Valley to produce a distinct, bold Cab Sav.
In the early 2000s, Christopher Carpenter took over as winemaker. With him came a renewed attention to detail, alongside a scientific and sustainable approach – and ultimately, Lokoya’s rise to stardom.
Now, three decades on, Lokoya is one of Napa Valley’s most sought-after labels.
Lokoya wines
Lokoya is all about mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon from four of Napa Valley’s most iconic American Viticultural Areas (AVA): Diamond Mountain, Howell Mountain, Spring Mountain, and Mount Veeder.
Each of these Napa Valley vineyards comes with their own distinct features:
- Diamond Mountain is known for its rocky soil and warmer temperatures, producing intense, deep wines.
- Howell Mountain is renowned for its higher elevation and cooler conditions, which help produce more structured and age-worthy wines.
- Spring Mountain is famous for its complex terroir, which gives its wines a balanced, elegant style.
- Mount Veeder is known for its volcanic soils, contributing to wines with smoky, mineral-driven flavours.
Caption: The stunning view possible from Mt. Veeder, one of the Napa Valley’s premier wine growing sub-regions. Credit: Suzanne Becker Bronk
These aren’t your average vineyards. The Lokoya grapes sit way above the fog line, soaking up all that California sunshine while staying frost-free. Some of the vines grow at over 800 meters up — yep, that’s taller than two Eiffel Towers on top of each other!
The result? Cabernet Sauvignons built to last. These wines aren’t just for drinking now — they’re for sipping 20, even 30 years down the line.
Lokoya vintages
Bottles from 2018 have only been on the market for a years, but this Lokoya vintage has taken the wine world by storm.
Lokoya’s Howell Mountain 2018 Cab Sav was a particular standout, receiving a 99-point score from James Suckling who described it as boasting “super balance and strength”.
Meanwhile, the 2018 Mount Veeder label was another winner, with Anthony Gismondi pondering “how great this wine will be 20, even 30 years from now,” scoring it a 97/100.
Lokoya also went on an incredible run between 2013 and 2016, with at least one of the vineyards picking up a 98+ score from some of the world’s most esteemed critics.
Robert Parker in particular was a fan of this era, with Wine Advocate giving close to perfect marks to Mount Veeder’s label in each of these vintages.
Other great vintages include 2006, and more recently, 2019 and 2021.
Why collectors love Lokoya
Lokoya wines are considered blue-chip investments in the wine market. They are designed to age gracefully, with most critics suggesting their top vintages will only improve over decades of maturation.
These top-shelf Cab Savs are a sommelier’s darling, racking up 14 perfect scores since 1995 (Half of these belong to the Mount Veeder label).
And with production limited to around 2,200 cases per year, it’s a rare gem for wine lovers and collectors alike.
Honing in on the 2018 vintage, we can see they already cost a pretty penny, with retailers asking for around AU $1,000 per bottle of the Howell Mountain label.
Looking at the Mount Veeder offering, we can see the bottle has increased in value about 10% over the past two years (from AU $716 to AU $786).
Caption: The chart above peaked in September 2023, when the price of a 2018 Mount Veeder bottle surged above AU $820. Source: WineSearcher
Okay, at first glance, this doesn’t seem super impressive, especially considering its price peaked in mid-2023.
But let’s factor in some mitigating circumstances.
The top 100 investment-grade wines are down a whopping 20% over that same timeframe – meaning Lokoya is already bucking the trend.
Caption: The fine wine market has cooled off after a stunning run up to 2023, with many investors consolidating their portfolios amid inflation and supply issues. Source: Liv-ex
Now, tack on an increasing supply of the 2018 Lokoya Mount Veeder Cab Sav as it starts to hit secondary markets.
Caption: Listings for the 2018 bottle have surged in recent months, although they will likely start drying up over the coming years. Source: WineSearcher
Given the high supply and current trough in the fine wine market, Lokoya’s performance over the past stretch is actually quite impressive.
Once sentiment shifts and the wine market starts to trend upward, Lokoya’s 2018 vintages will likely break the shackles and start to really flex its muscles.
The great part about Lokoya is other top-tier vintages offer similar growth profiles – but won’t hit your wallet as hard as the 2018 offering.
For example, a bottle of the 2015 Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon can be had for under AU $600, while the 2014 Mount Veeder vintage is listed as low as AU $530 at certain retailers.
Summary
Investing in Lokoya is like grabbing shares in a luxury brand with serious potential. You’re not just buying wine – you’re owning a piece of Napa’s finest.
Sure, the entry price might sting a little. But whether you pop the bottle or let it mature in a cellar, you’ll know it’s worth every penny.
Starting at about AU $500, Lokoya offers something for both veteran collectors and those just dipping their toes into wine investment.
Now that’s something to toast to!
