At a time when overall wine consumption in the U.S. is declining, boutique wineries with strong stories and uncompromising quality are carving out a loyal following. One such name is Forthright Winery, a small Napa Valley producer crafting just 1,500–2,000 cases annually. Co-Founded by Patrick McEvoy, Forthright has quickly gained recognition, with its 2019 Forthright Cabernet Sauvignon from Calistoga earning Cabernet Sauvignon of the Year and Wine of the Year: USA at the 2025 USA Wine Ratings. In this conversation, we sat down with founding partner and winemaker Patrick McEvoy to discuss the winery’s philosophy, their award-winning vintages, and how Forthright is navigating today’s evolving wine market.

Edited excerpts from the interview.

Q: Your 2019 Forthright Cabernet Sauvignon was just awarded Cabernet Sauvignon of the Year and Wine of the Year: USA. How does that feel, and how do you plan to leverage this recognition?

It’s a huge honor. This was our first time entering the USA Wine Ratings, and to come away with a Double Gold Medal, Best Cabernet of the Year, and Wine of the Year: USA for our 2019 Forthight Cabernet Sauvignon from Calistoga was incredible. Our 2019 Forthright Merlot also won Best Merlot of the Year, resulting in one Double Gold and Seven Gold Medals overall. What makes this competition unique is the judging panel—retail and off-premise buyers. We wanted to know how decision-makers who actually purchase for consumers would respond, and the results show we’re on the right track. For us, the awards are affirmation of our work and a strong story to share with distributors and buyers as we expand beyond the direct-to-consumer segment.

Q: Where can consumers and buyers find Forthright wines today and what initiatives do you take to connect with them?

Right now, we’re primarily direct-to-consumer, which is common for wineries of our size. But we’re working on creative ways to grow into retail and on-premise channels across the U.S. Tastings at our cave winery in Napa, pop-up dinners, and larger events like Wine and Design in Chicago are key touchpoints. We also engage actively through email and our website. With these recent awards, we’re leveraging the recognition to reach new audiences and build confidence with both retail buyers and consumers.

Q: For someone tasting the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, how would you describe its personality? And why Calistoga fruit for your Cabernet?

It’s bold but balanced, with structure and depth without being over-extracted or jammy. The acidity gives it versatility—perfect with steak but approachable with a range of dishes. It’s a confident Cabernet, distinctive yet accessible. 2019 was our first Cabernet vintage, and we sourced from several AVAs. Calistoga stood out for its volcanic soils and gravelly fans, which add character, and for its wide temperature swings—hot days, cool nights—that preserve acidity. That balance of power and freshness is what made Calistoga the right choice.

Q: Can you walk us through your approach to sourcing fruit for this Cabernet Sauvignon and why Calistoga was the ideal appellation?

Our decision was deliberate—Calistoga offers Cabernet with intensity and character. Hot days build big tannins and dark fruit, while cool nights lock in acidity for freshness. The soils, a mix of volcanic rock and gravel, add further complexity. We worked with growers who keep yields low and farm with restraint, giving us small, thick-skinned berries ideal for depth without dilution. In the cellar, we took a light hand—gentle extraction, balanced oak, and patience. The result is a Cabernet that’s bold, structured, and age-worthy, yet still elegant.

Q: What advantages does small-batch production give you?

Small-batch gives us total control. Each lot is its own conversation—we can fine-tune cap management, fermentation, and extraction to bring out the best of the fruit. That precision shows in the glass: deeper color, layered aromatics, and sculpted tannins. It also preserves identity. We don’t have to blend away edges for uniformity—if a vineyard brings graphite or floral lift, we let it shine. Limited production means scarcity with intention, reinforcing Forthright’s brand as rare but authentic. For buyers, that scarcity becomes a calling card: a wine that stands apart from the sea of polished, anonymous Napa Cabs.

Q: What trends are you observing in the U.S. wine market, especially for Napa Cabernet?

Overall U.S. wine consumption is softening, but premium tiers are holding strong—consumers are still willing to pay for quality. Millennials and Gen Z are drinking less but are more adventurous, seeking authenticity and stories, which plays to the strengths of boutique producers. DTC remains vital, while on-premise is rebounding slowly post-COVID. Distribution is tricky in a crowded market, but scarcity and storytelling give us an edge. For Forthright, the awards help us cut through the noise, showing buyers that our wines deliver both quality and authenticity.

Q: Finally, what’s next for Forthright Winery?

Our 2019 Forthright Merlot, which won Best Merlot of the Year, is a current highlight, and our 2022 Forthright Covey Hill Chardonnay is also gaining attention with a the recent Gold Medal it won in the same competition. Looking ahead, we’re nurturing upcoming vintages of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon with the same small-batch focus.

We age our wines longer than most, some of our red wines spend 48 to 60 months in barrel,so while our 2020 and 2021 vintages were limited, so we’re excited about what’s coming from our 2022 vintage and onward. Beyond the cellar, we’re also investing in deeper connections with our Fellowship community—through virtual tastings, behind-the-scenes content, and storytelling. The goal remains the same: stay small, stay true, and let authenticity lead.