Tradition and Innovation

Antinori Napa Valley stands as a landmark achievement for the Antinori Family, whose winemaking legacy spans over six centuries. By applying their Old-World heritage and knowledge, the family has unlocked the highest potential of this mountain estate, creating New-World wines marked by finesse and refinement.

The estate was born from Marchese Piero Antinori's dream of producing a sublime expression of Napa Valley mountain winemaking, inspired by his first visit to the region in the 1960s. Over the years, this vision materialized with the acquisition of a 1,200-acre property featuring rugged, high-elevation terrain in a remote part of the Vaca Mountain range, which Piero transformed into immaculate vineyards.

“Wine and vintners must respect the rhythm of nature. You plant a vineyard today and the first results that are really positive will come after six, seven, ten years, you never know. These are things that happen slowly over time and centuries but that show that we too feel it in our DNA. Passion, patience, persistency.” — Marchese Piero Antinori

Story Winery

Since its founding in 1973, Story Winery has been dedicated to producing small-lot, vineyard-designate wines that authentically express the land from which they originate. Primarily utilizing estate-grown grapes, the winery strives to create wines that not only represent their terroir but also cellar well while being enjoyable in their youth.

The winery’s tasting room and picnic grounds are open daily, offering visitors a chance to experience great wine, find the perfect picnic spot, or simply enjoy a peaceful moment in nature. Guests are invited to discover the renowned estate vineyards, which include 130-year-old Zinfandel and Mission vines, as well as award-winning Italian and Georgian varietals. The friendly and knowledgeable staff are on hand to guide visitors through various tasting options while sharing stories about the wines, vineyards, and the events that have shaped the winery’s 120-year history.

The Team

Winemaking

Rob Campbell & Thomas Allan

Winemaker Rob Campbell, a fourth-generation San Franciscan, grew up in San Francisco and nearby Daly City. He ventured just 30 miles away to attend San Jose State University, where he studied Jazz. Rob earned a BA in Jazz Studies and a master’s degree in saxophone performance. Realizing that a musician’s income would struggle to sustain him in San Francisco, he leveraged his computer skills while completing his studies. Rob worked at Hewlett-Packard, Apple, and later at Digidesign (now part of Avid Technologies) during the early 1990s. Over a decade, he climbed the ranks to become Hardware Product Manager of digital audio workstations. He then transitioned into a consulting role for Avid’s worldwide training organization as an author, lecturer, and Master Trainer. After extensive global travel, Rob chose to settle back in San Francisco to manage One Union Recording, a premier post-production audio facility. It was during this period that he took over management and operations at Story Winery.

WinemakerThomas Allan, originally from Santa Barbara, has built a diverse career in the restaurant industry, serving as an owner, server, and sommelier. He also worked in high-end retail bottle shops in Santa Barbara before relocating to Amador County in 2000. Thomas was the original Sommelier at Taste Restaurant before moving to Bray Vineyards. In 2016, he established his own label, Fate Wines, which he continues to manage alongside his work at Story Winery, where he joined the winemaking team in 2018.

Image courtesy photographer Randy Caparosos

Family feel with lots of character. They have tasty olive oil and wine. It doesn't have the contemporary feel of some nearby wineries. They know who they are and give off that old-fashion feel. A nice, small place to end the day in Russian River Valley.

Richly flavored, hearty red wines. Italian style which means big grapey textures & body. Small boutique production. Some varietals are less than 100 cases per year.