Richard Partridge Wines is a small, family-owned winery located in the Napa Valley, producing approximately 500 cases of Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay each year. This limited production and intimate operation preclude mass marketing approaches, but it ensures a compelling story—and fortunately, they have one to tell!
Richard Partridge's journey began far from the vineyards of Napa Valley. Raised on soybean and wheat farms in Indiana, he initially pursued a career as an electrical engineer in Illinois. There, he met his wife, Cris. The couple eventually relocated to Southern California to establish their own company, R.F. Partridge & Associates, Inc., specializing in large electrical generators and backup power solutions for data centers, hospitals, military bases, and other significant facilities. Richard’s expertise in delivering reliable power set the stage for his next venture.
Despite their home in Orange County, Cris and Richard had a deep passion for Napa Valley. They decided to invest in property there, leading to the creation of their winery. A fortuitous introduction to winemaker Bob Egelhoff sparked a fruitful partnership focused on crafting exceptional wine from the Valley's finest grapes. Under Bob’s skilled winemaking, their inaugural 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon earned the second-highest rating for a ’98 Napa Valley Cab from James Laube of Wine Spectator, affirming that Richard had once again delivered exceptional results.
Since 2005, winemaker Jeff Fontanella has overseen the creation of their wines with expert precision. The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon vintage marked their first estate wine, and their goal remains to consistently produce a limited quantity of the finest wine from their St. Helena vineyard.
As a boutique winery, Richard Partridge Wines aims to maintain its focus on quality over quantity. By keeping production small, they ensure meticulous attention to every aspect of the winemaking process, from grape cultivation to the final bottle on the shelf.
