Our Senior Writer and Co-Founder, Steve Rochford, extracting wine using a pipette during the blending experience in the Adobe at Alexander Valley Vineyards.

Meggan Cox, center, Director of Beverage at Grand Hotel in Fairhope, Alabama, thinks she has detected the winning blend.

Bordeaux blend tastings in the barrel room at Rodney Strong Vineyards, featuring: 2017 Alexander Valley Vineyards Cyrus, 2018 Rodney Strong Vineyards Symmetry, 2019 Robert Young Estate Winery Scion, 2018 Francis Ford Coppola Winery Archimedes, and 2018 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon.

Bret Munselle of Munselle Vineyards gives us a driving history of Alexander Valley.

Craig Ellick,  "the face of hospitality," Certified Sommelier, Jackson Family Wines.

Part of the welcoming committee on our drive up the Mayacamas.

John Duckett, Winemaker of Trione Vineyards & Winery, and Alice Sutro, Founder and Owner of SUTRO Wine, discuss geology and soils.

That's one heck of a lineup of Cabs awaiting us the morning of Day 3 in the Mayacamas!

Mary Zink (L), Wine Category Merchant of Wegmans Food Markets in Rochester, New York, displays her advanced tasting technique alongside Christine Seiler, Principal, Tasting Room of Travelers Rest (South Carolina).

Idyllic view from the Geyserville Inn.

Soil and viticulture discussion with Trione Vineyard Manager Kris Hicks.

Kevin Hall (L), Winemaker of Alexander Valley Vineyards, and Harry Wetzel IV, AVV Head of Operations, give a primer on weather and microclimates.

A welcome to campers by Denise Trione, Cabernet Academy Committee Chairwoman.

Campers tour the caves at Alexander Valley Vineyards.

The best braised lamb shank of all time! Thank you Chef Tim Gleadall!

Kevin Hall with Erik Pattison, Wine Director of Eno Vino, Madison, Wisconsin.

Chris Mockus, our Director of New Markets, checking out his winning Bordeaux blend.

Acting naturally, from left to right: Amin Alavi, Wine Director, J. Carver's Oyster Bar & Chop Hpuse, Austin, Texas; Erik Pattiso;, and Chris Coker, Sommelier and Buyer, Four Seasons, Washington, D.C.

Meggan Cox (L) with Amber Willis, General Manager of Fish On, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

Dinner on a hilltop picnic area at Alexander Valley Vineyards at the end of Day 2.

Because we haven't had enough food and wine already! Dinner the last night in the barrel room at Rodney Strong Vineyards.

A cork tree at Alexander Valley Vineyards.

Lunch on Day 2 at Trione Vineyards & Winery.

Menu for the opening dinner at Alexander Valley Vineyards.

David Van Meerbeke (L), Director of Food and Beverage, TPC Potomac, Maryland and John Duckett share a laugh during the ageability lunch.

Amin Alavi enjoying a glass of Upper Barn Chardonnay.

Harry Wetzel IV announcing that he has a special treat for the Cab Academy campers: a 1978 Alexander Valley Vineyards Sin 

Zin.

...and here it is. Had the aroma of a ruby port and tasted divine!

Steve Rochford hard at work.

Executive Chef James Allen (L) of Blackthorn Club in Jonesborough, Tennessee, and Bryant Mason, Wine Syndicate/Sommelier of Fire & Vine Hospitality, enjoy a delicious treat at a reception at Rodney Strong Vineyards.

The beauty of the Stonestreet Vineyards.

Liza Zimmerman making sure not to spill a drop of the 2006 Alexander Valley Vineyards Cyrus at the ageability lunch.

Here it is.

Left to right: David Van Meerbeke, Bryant Mason, and Erik Pattison.

Baby Cabernet Sauvignon.

Justin Seidenfeld, Senior Vice President of Winemaking & Winegrowing at Rodney Strong Vineyards, discusses blending considerations.

Justin Seidenfeld points out some of the innovative practices he has put in place in Rodney Strong's new Chardonnay vineyard.

Too much fun in the barrel room at Rodney Strong Vineyards. Amin Alavi is front and center followed clockwise by Chef James Allen, holding his birth year 1978 Sin Zin; Rosie Monson of Honey and Vine Events, who planned Cab Academy; and Steve Rochford.

2011 Trione Vineyards & Winery Block Twenty One Cabernet Sauvignon, served in a magnum, at the ageability lunch.

2017 Stonestreet Estate Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Rockfall Vineyard.

Rachel Hagger, Beverage Director for Axel's, Mendota, Minnesota.

Bryant Mason enjoying a stunning view.

Kristina Shideler, Winemaker for Stonestreet Estate Vineyards greets campers with Stonestreet Blanc de Blancs.

Rosie Monson (L) and Alice Sutro.

Left to right: Chris Coker, Mary Zink, Christine Seiler, and Meggan Cox.