Rutherford Wineries (Back to overview)
Many argue that Rutherford Wineries produce the best Cabernet Sauvignon in the state. The region's warm temperatures and well drained soils make it an ideal location for this noble grape. The following are some of my favorite producers in the AVA.
Cakebread Cellars
Cakebread Cellars has built its reputation on Chardonnay. Owner and founder Jack Cakebread has been producing wine for over 30 years. Cakebread’s Chardonnays are consistently some of the best from the Golden State.
Sullivan Vineyards
In 1972, former graphic designer Jim Sullivan moved to Rutherford. After establishing Sullivan Vineyards, he produced his first wine in 1981.
Honig Vineyards
In 1964, Louis Honig planted Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc in the Rutherford wine region. Honig Vineyards initially sold grapes to other wineries in the Napa Valley.
Caymus Vineyards
In 1972, Charlie Wagner, Lorna Belle Glos Wagner and their son, "Chuck" Wagner established Caymus Vineyards. The winery has always specialized in Cabernet Sauvignon and makes two wines with the grape.
Frogs Leap Winery
Frogs Leap Winery was established by Larry Turley and John Williams in the early 1980s. Frogs Leap Winery was originally a partnership between Larry Turley and John Williams.
Grgich Hills
In 1976, founder Mike Grgich had burst onto the wine scene when his 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay won the white wine category at the famous Paris Tasting. He founded Grgich Hills the following year.
Conn Creek Winery
Conn Creek Winery was established in 1973. They first made a name for themselves with the 1974 Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery is located off of Rutherford Crossroad between Highway 29 and Silverado Trail.
Quintessa
Located in eastern Rutherford, Quintessa utilizes their vineyards to produce expensive, but excellent wine. The property encompasses 270 acres of prime Rutherford land.
Peju Province
Peju Province is on the eastern side of Highway 29 in the Rutherford AVA. Peju only works with a handful of small distributors and retailers. Visiting the winery is the best way to purchase their wine.
Alpha Omega Winery
Alpha Omega Winery is located on Highway 29 in the Rutherford AVA. Founders Robin Baggett and Eric Sklar were both made wine as a hobby for many years before starting this venture.
David Arthur Vineyards
Before planting Chardonnay in 1980, David and Bob Long both already had extensive farming experience. Winemaking was a new task, and their first efforts were a little unbalanced, but they picked it up remarkably quickly.
Hewitt Vineyard
In 1962, William Hewitt purchased the property that would become Hewitt Vineyard. Chalone Wine Group bought the vineyard in February of 2000. Tom Rinaldi is the winemaker and general manager at Hewitt.
Pina Napa Valley
Although Pina Napa Valley was not established until 1981, the Pina Family traces their winemaking heritage to the 1960s. Their ancestor, Lafayette Stice, planted grapes and made wine near St Helena.
Provenance Vineyards
Provenance Vineyards released their first Cabernet Sauvignon in 1999. The winery currently owns the land originally farmed by Thomas Rutherford in the 19th century.
Tres Sabores
Tres Sabores, or, "Three Tastes," is in the western hills of the Rutherford wine region. The winery makes Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and a Zinfandel based blend.
Raymond Vineyards
Since it was established in 1971, Raymond Vineyards has been a family run operation. Roy Raymond Sr. and his two sons, Roy Jr. and Walter planted the original vineyard in Rutherford.
Beaucanon Winery
Beaucanon Estate was established by Jacques de Conick in 1978. He is originally from Bordeaux, and comes from a family that has been in the wine business for over 260 years.
Hall Wines
Hall actually has two different production facilities; one in Rutherford and one in St Helena. Their St Helena tasting room is open to the public, but an appointment is required to taste their smaller bottlings in Rutherford.
Round Pond Estate
Round Pond Estate is another small Rutherford winery that is family owned and operated. Ryan and Miles MacDonnell own three different vineyards in the Napa Valley AVA. They only use sustainable farming practices on their properties.
Staglin Family Vineyards
Staglin Family Vineyards is one of the most successful winemaking operations in the Napa Valley. The legendary Andre Tchelistcheff advised the winery in its early years.
Rocking Horse Winery
Rocking Horse Winery sources grapes from several excellent vineyards in the Napa Valley AVA. They produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Zinfandel.
Rubicon Estate
Francis Ford Coppola is best known for directing The Godfather, but he also owns a legendary Rutherford winery. His flagship wine is the Rubicon, an impressive Cabernet Sauvignon based blend.
Amici Cellars
Amici Cellars began in 1991 with Jeff Hansen and several of his friends. The first vintage they released to the public was their 1992 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Beaulieu Vineyard
"Quel Beaulieu!" Fernande de Latour exclaimed when she first laid eyes on the property that is now Beaulieu Vineyard. The literal translation reads, "beautiful place."
Del Bondio
The Del Bondio Family has been farming in the Napa Valley for over a century. They own a 20 acres of Chardonnay and Syrah in Oakville, and 31 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon in Rutherford.
Del Dotto Vineyards
Del Dotto Vineyards is a family owned winery that has been making small amounts of wine for over a decade. They own several vineyard properties in some of California’s most prestigious AVAs.
Fountainhead Cellars
Jason and Michelle Fisher, and Sam and Traci Sharp established Fountainhead Cellars in 2002. Along with his ownership responsibilities, Jason Fisher is also the winemaker. He previously worked at Cosentino, Paradigm and Grace Family Vineyards.
Galleron Signature Wines
Galleron Signature Wines is located in Napa Valley's Rutherford AVA. Owner Gary Galleron is descended from a distinguished winemaking family that has lived in the area since 1918.
Mumm Cuvee Napa
Mumm Cuvee Napa brings the experience of Old World Champagne masters to the Napa Valley. They mix traditional methods with innovative techniques. The result is some of the best sparkling wines from the Napa Valley.
Macauley Vineyard
In the early 1980s, Macauley Vineyard was originally established in St. Helena by Ann Macauley Watson. She was best known for her late harvest Sauvignon Blanc which was made by Rick Forman.
Voss Vineyards
Founded by Robert Hill Smith, Voss Vineyards was originally made with Chardonnay purchased from Carneros and Zinfandel bought from Alexander Valley. In 1996, Smith bought his estate vineyard in the Rutherford wine region.
St Supery
St Supery is known for fusing Old World tradition with New World innovation. As a third generation winemaker, founder Robert Skalli knows the ins and outs of quality wine production. His Elu Meritage was recently awarded 92 points by Wine Spectator.
Slaughterhouse Cellars
Slaughterhouse Cellars is a tiny wine producer that owns only 1.37 acres of vines. After buying the property in 1997, David and Margo Slaby began replanting their estate vineyard with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in 1999.
Sawyer Cellars
In 1991, Joanne and Charles Sawyer made their first vintage: 120 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon. They bought a 50 acre Rutherford vineyard in 1994, and established Sawyer Cellars in 1995.
ZD Wines
ZD Wines is located just off the Silverado Trail in the eastern part of the Rutherford AVA. ZD is best known for their Chardonnay, but also produces several other premium quality wines.
Villa Mount Eden
Mike McGrath has been making the critically acclaimed wines at Villa Mount Eden since 1982. He graduated from UC Davis with a fermentation science degree in 1978.
Rutherford Hill
Rutherford Hill is one of the top producers of Merlot in Napa Valley. Founded in 1976, the winery is located in the eastern hills of the Rutherford AVA.
Round Hill Winery
Round Hill Winery is collaboration between Ernie Van Asperen and Charlie Abela. Ernie originally sold his grapes to other wineries before trying his hand at winemaking.
Sequoia Grove
Sequoia Grove is located in the heart of the Rutherford wine region, just east of Highway 29. The winery specializes in Cabernet Sauvignon grown in Rutherford and Chardonnay grown in Carneros.
Rutherford Grove
Rutherford Grove is a small winery that is owned and operated by the Pestoni Family. They are longtime Napa residents and have been living in the valley for five generations.
Sloan Estate
Sloan Estate recently released their inaugural 2000 vintage in 2004. Despite this label’s youth the 2000 and 2001 Proprietary Reds are already selling for high prices at auction. Sloan is one of the more difficult California wines to acquire.
klutch said:
It's best to get out there more often and try them out! Gives you more of a reason to visit Napa!
Posted 428 days ago.
cheryl said:
I AM NOT AN EXPERT ON WINES , BUT WANT AS MUCH INFORMATION AS I CAN RECEIVE SO I CAN BE BETTER INFORMED ON DIFFERENT WINE AND WINERY'S --ALL THE HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
Posted 455 days ago.