Pym-Rae Tesseron is a Californian estate winery located in the Mount Veeder AVA. It produces a single Napa Valley wine, based on Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller amounts of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The Tesseron family of Cognac fame have owned Pym-Rae since January 2016. They also own Château Pontet-Canet in Pauillac. The estate was formerly owned by actor and comedian Robin Williams. The estate lies high above the Napa Valley floor at the northernmost tip of the Mount Veeder AVA, just southeast of Sugarloaf Ridge State Park a mile or so from Robert Ferguson Observatory. 18.5 acres of the 600-acre ranch (7.5 of 243 hectares) are planted, in two blocks at 1640ft and 1968ft (500 and 600 meters). The average age of the vines is 30 years. They are dry farmed without irrigation, and allowed to grow each season without canopy trimming. A herd of cows are farmed on the property, producing fertilizer. The vineyards are in coversion to organic and biodynamic status, certified by Demeter USA. The wine is typically 75 to 80 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 15 to 20 percent Merlot, and the remainder Cabernet Franc. Due to wildfires, the 2017 edition contained none of the latter. Grapes are handpicked into small crates. They are then sorted and destemmed by hand directly above the fermentation vasts to ensure gentle treatment of the fruit. For the same reason, temperature control of vats is not automated, and pumps are not used. Small vat sizes (264 US gallons / 1000 liters) allow measured extraction of color and tannins, and for all work to be done by hand. The wine is aged for 16 months; 70 percent in new French oak barrels, and 30 percent in concrete tank. There are no acidity manipulations. Michel Rolland acts as oenologist-consultant. The estate was formerly known as Villa Sorriso (Villa of Smiles) and owned by the comedian and actor Robin Williams. The vineyard was separately named after the middle names of his children. Out of respect to the Williams family, the Pym-Rae name was retained by the new owners for the estate's wine.