For Kentucky-born Joe Blanton, Selah Wines is not just a business venture but a testament to his unwavering determination. It represents an opportunity to live in a place he loves and pursue a singular passion: crafting exceptional wine. Joe's journey began when he purchased a small Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard on Howell Mountain in Napa Valley in 2014; however, his fondness for this wine region—and his determination to live and work there—dates back much further.

Joe's journey into the world of wine was not just a casual interest but a deep-seated obsession. As a young major league baseball player for the Oakland A’s, his interest in wine was stoked at team dinners on the road. Older players – mentors on and off the field – would order wine for the group, and Joe became intrigued. Trips to nearby wine country, particularly Napa Valley, furthered his interest. Still, it was an “a-ha” moment with a bottle of 2002 Joseph Phelps Insignia that made Joe realize there was much more to wine than he’d experienced so far. His interest quickly turned into an obsession, and though he was traded in 2008, he continued to learn as much as he could about growing and making wine. During travel between games, he immersed himself in wine books and tasted as often as he could with like-minded teammates.

Selah Wines is the next chapter for Joe, a chapter that is deeply rooted in his admiration for Cabernet Sauvignon wines. A search for vineyard land brought him to his Howell Mountain property. As a longtime admirer of Cabernet Sauvignon wines from the appellation, it was a site that spoke to them immediately. After securing the vineyard, Joe assembled his team: well-known winemaker Thomas Brown and Josh Clark, one of the most trusted vineyard managers in Napa Valley. With over a decade of wines under his belt, Joe looks to a long life in Napa Valley, and to applying the same dedication to excellence in wine that Joe has devoted to his distinguished baseball career.