The producers in our portfolio span continents, and their approaches to winemaking are just as varied. What connects them is a sense of intention, a clear point of view, and a desire to do things on their own terms. Few embody this more fully than Denise Adams, whose stewardship of three distinct estates in Bordeaux and Napa Valley reflects a shared commitment to thoughtful farming and an uncompromising respect for nature.

In 2004, Denise and her late husband, Stephen, acquired Château Fonplégade in Saint-Émilion. Neither came from a winemaking background, and neither was French. Rather than simply continue the practices that had defined the estate for decades, they saw an opportunity to rethink its relationship with the land. Their ambition was to rehabilitate the property, restore biodiversity, and bring new life to the soils. It was a long-term investment in the belief that great wine begins in the vineyard.

Situated on the limestone plateau and slopes of Saint-Émilion, Château Fonplégade is a Grand Cru Classé estate encompassing approximately 45 acres across 27 distinct parcels. Its northern and southern exposures offer a remarkable diversity of terroirs, while limestone plays a defining role in the character of the wines. The soils provide drainage while retaining and gradually releasing water during dry periods, helping the vines maintain balance throughout the growing season. This interplay between geology and climate contributes to the wines’ freshness, tension, refined minerality, and elegance.

Merlot forms the backbone of the vineyards, complemented by an increasing proportion of Cabernet Franc, which brings aromatic complexity, structure, and vibrancy. The estate began its transition to organic viticulture in 2009, received organic certification in 2013, and introduced biodynamic practices in 2017, earning Biodyvin certification in 2020. Today, cover crops, plants, animals, and microorganisms all contribute to a balanced vineyard ecosystem. The resulting wines express Fonplégade’s limestone terroir through pure fruit, silky tannins, and remarkable aromatic depth.

Three years later, the opportunity arose to expand further across Bordeaux’s Right Bank to Pomerol, where they acquired Château L’Enclos. The intimate 18-acre estate sits in the heart of the appellation, with a patchwork of vineyard parcels whose variations in soil composition, exposure, and vine age bring complexity to a relatively small holding.

Merlot dominates the plantings, joined by Cabernet Franc, which lends freshness, structure, and aromatic complexity, and a small amount of Malbec. Like Fonplégade, L’Enclos is farmed according to biodynamic principles, with careful attention to the health of the soils and the needs of each parcel. The wines capture Pomerol’s characteristic depth and generosity while retaining a sense of freshness and precision.

In 2008, Denise and Stephen brought their vision to Napa Valley with the addition of ADAMVS, a vineyard estate on Howell Mountain. Though the three properties differ in climate, soils, and character, each reflects the couple’s belief that understanding a place means looking beyond the vines themselves. When we asked Denise what unites the estates, she explained:

For us, terroir is much more than the soil beneath our vines. It is the relationship between geology, climate, plants, microorganisms, farming, and the people who care for the land.

Stephen passed away in 2024, but Denise continues to carry forward the vision they built together. Across all three estates, that vision takes a different form, shaped by the character of each place and a shared belief in the importance of thoughtful farming and a deep understanding of the land.