From the lofty heights of Montebello Mountain the grapes make the journey down to the historic ranch where they are examined, pressed and crushed in the shadow of the original Picchetti homestead house. Under the gaze of the ever watchful and vigilant peacocks, sweet juice is magically turned to wine.
Jean Phillips, the visionary behind the renowned Screaming Eagle Cabernet from Napa, is returning to the wine scene after a five-year break. She has recently acquired the Pillar Rock vineyard in Napa's Stags Leap District. Phillips has purchased the 114-acre parcel of land but has not acquired the winery or its brand. The financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed.
Pillar Rock, established by Ron and Teri Kuhn, first released a wine from the 1999 vintage. The winery primarily produces Cabernet Sauvignon from its 22-acre estate vineyard, which also includes some Merlot. Despite early acclaim, the winery faced issues with TCA taint in its 2003 Cabernet, a problem caused by trace amounts of a compound that imparts musty flavors and aromas to corked wine.
Industry insiders suggest that the vineyard had been on the market for some time before Phillips made her purchase. Although Phillips has not revealed her plans for the property, it is unlikely she will use it for commercial wine production. She mentioned to Wine Spectator that her interest in the vineyard stemmed from its potential for growing grapes in a "wild, wonderful" setting, with a focus on the long-term future. The fate of the Pillar Rock winery and brand remains uncertain, and Ron Kuhn declined to comment on the sale.
Phillips, who started her career as a real estate agent, bought a 57-acre vineyard in Napa’s Oakville district in 1986. Initially selling grapes, she ventured into winemaking in 1992 with her first Cabernet Sauvignon, Screaming Eagle. The wine quickly gained acclaim, becoming one of Napa's most celebrated and priciest offerings. In 2006, Phillips sold the winery for an estimated $70 million to investors Charles Banks and Stanley Kroenke. Three years later, Banks departed, leaving Kroenke as the sole owner.
Definitely one of those places we would miss if it wasn't for recommendations from others we meet along the way. We entered the small tasting room and walked up to the tasting counter. There were wine barrels all around and two guys manning the counter. The one who helped us out was very welcoming and gave us some nice history on Pina. They are known/applauded for their cabs.We got to taste about 5 cabs, a port and a late harvest chard.. Wow, what an experience!. Where else can you sample 90+ rated cabs for no extra "reserve" fee? Left with a bottle of the Howell Mountaian cab and the intrguing late harvest chard. Wonderful, relaxing experience in a very unpretentious setting.
Founded in 1978 by Gary Andrus, Pine Ridge Vineyards is located in the renowned Stags Leap District of Napa Valley, celebrated for its exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. Our mission is to craft some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon in the region.
Currently, Pine Ridge Vineyards boasts estate vineyards across five of Napa Valley’s premier appellations: Stags Leap District, Howell Mountain, Oakville, Rutherford, and Carneros. Our dedicated team, from vineyard to cellar, is committed to producing wines that reflect their exceptional origins with distinctive character and depth.
All work is done by hand - from planting to canopy work to harvest. Mark and Gary Pisoni farming and winemaking are deep rooted in Burgundian traditions.
Plateau Vineyards planted its first grapevines in 1993 on a beautiful property high above the local valleys on Santa Rosa Plateau. The vineyard is blessed with warm sunny days and cool nights, all making for Plateau to grow some of the finest winegrapes in California. Come taste their small batch premium estate bottles.
PlumpJack Winery's story began in 1992 with the opening of a modest wine store in San Francisco's Cow Hollow/Marina neighborhood, known as PlumpJack Wine & Spirits. Founded by Gavin Newsom, the store was designed to create a welcoming space where people could explore and discover wines in a friendly, approachable setting.
The name "PlumpJack" was inspired by one of Shakespeare's most memorable characters, Sir John "PlumpJack" Falstaff, a fun-loving, irreverent figure known for his unbreakable bond of loyalty with Prince Hal (Henry V), shared over many goblets of wine at the local tavern. Embracing this spirit of camaraderie and enjoyment, Newsom, along with acclaimed composer and philanthropist Gordon Getty, envisioned a winery that would embody the essence of Falstaff's character. This vision came to life when they acquired a historic 42-acre estate in the heart of Napa Valley, an area renowned for producing dynamic, long-lived wines that capture the essence of Oakville, with a history dating back to 1881.
The property had changed hands over the years, eventually being acquired by James and Anne McWilliams in 1974. In 1995, the McWilliams received a proposal to revive winemaking at the historic estate, leading to the creation of PlumpJack Estate Winery. The winery was founded with a commitment to crafting high-quality wines that celebrated the land while remaining approachable.
A pivotal moment in PlumpJack's history came in the 1990s when the wine industry faced the growing problem of cork taint, or trichloroanisole (TCA), which caused undesirable flavors in bottled wines. Unwilling to compromise on quality, Getty and General Manager John Conover took a bold step toward innovation. PlumpJack Estate Winery pioneered the use of alternative closures for luxury wines, introducing screw caps with the flagship 1997 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. This move eliminated the risk of TCA while ensuring bottle consistency and longevity. To this day, PlumpJack bottles its Estate and Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons 50% under screw cap and 50% under cork as part of a long-term experiment.
In 2012, Winemaker Aaron Miller joined the team, continuing the legacy of producing elegant wines that honor the Oakville Estate Vineyard. Under Miller's leadership, PlumpJack achieved significant milestones, with the 2013, 2015, and 2016 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons earning perfect 100-point scores from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate—a testament to the winery's dedication to quality and approachability.
Poetic Cellars was established in 2005 with one thought in mind; that of combining the passionate excellence of their winesand with exquisite and original poetry on each varietal. This interesting Santa Cruz Mountains winery is located in the Santa Cruz Mountains on 33 Redwood studded acres. Just minutes from Highway 17, it is only about 40 minutes from San Jose and 15 minutes from Santa Cruz. Bring a picnic Lunch to enjoy the views along with a bottle of Poetic Cellars wine.
Point Reyes Vineyards, family owned and operated on scenic Highway 1, overlooking the beautiful Point Reyes National Seashore, is 40 miles north of San Francisco. For three generations, our family has proudly farmed the rich, fertile lands of Marin County. In 1990, our love of fine wines led to the planting of a small vineyard.
Quality wine begins in the vineyard, and the estate's vineyards are a constant source of pride, concern, and inspiration. Ponte Family Estate Winery cultivates 21 varieties across nearly 300 acres, making their vineyards among the largest in Temecula. The vineyard team diligently stays informed about the latest viticulture techniques and works tirelessly to ensure the grapes thrive year after year, allowing them to deliver the exceptional wines that their guests cherish.