For fans of California Cabernet Sauvignon, Pritchard Hill is a sacred spot. Perched in the Vaca Mountains on the eastern side of Napa Valley, the rugged site produces wines with a rare combination of power and refinement. While settler Charles Pritchard planted the first vines there in 1882, it was Chappellet Winery that truly established Pritchard Hill as one of Napa’s most revered winegrowing addresses.
The story
Originally the founder of a successful coffee vending machine company, Donn Chappellet spent more than a decade in the corporate grind — so to speak — before setting his sights on an entirely different beverage. Both he and his wife, Molly, were avid wine fans, so they sold their company shares and headed to Napa Valley in search of a hillside vineyard site.
The couple founded Chappellet Winery on the rocky slopes of Pritchard Hill in 1967 and built the winery the following year. The structure’s shape, designed by abstract artist Ed Moses, was inspired by the pyramids of Egypt. The winery released its first Cabernet Sauvignon in 1969.
Molly brought her own creative vision to the endeavor, shaped by her art school education. She transformed Chappellet’s gardens into a living canvas of flowers, trees and greenery to complement the 600-acre property’s natural beauty.
Rising from 800 to 1,800 feet above sea level, Chappellet’s estate vineyard spans 104 planted acres. Cabernet Sauvignon dominates, with smaller blocks of Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Chenin Blanc included. In 2012, the estate earned organic certification, and the winery expanded its production capacity with a new barrel chai.
Today, Chappellet’s second generation runs the winery.
The vibe
It’s only about a 15-minute drive to the winery from downtown St. Helena, but it feels a world away. It’s a steep drive up from the valley floor, with plenty of tight turns amid the oak woodlands and manzanitas, but the dramatic views are worth the effort. The estate vineyard sits above the fog, peppered with massive boulders.
The winery building, with its pyramid shape and soaring wooden rafters, is like no other. You won’t find a tasting bar or standard lounge areas. Instead, long tables are placed among the barrels to create different private seating areas. Each features its own barrel-mounted artwork, created by Chappellet family members or their personal contacts. Although the space is a working winery — you’ll probably hear some forklifts beeping in the background while you taste — the setting is spacious, warm and beautiful.
On the palate
Chappellet wines expertly balance muscle, elegance and purity in the hands of Phillip Corallo-Titus, who’s been leading the producer’s wine program for three decades, and winemaker Ry Richards.
The 2024 Chenin Blanc ($75) is a charmer that shows off tropical fruit and citrus notes with a nicely rounded texture. Though the grape is trending at the moment, it’s been planted at Chappellet since the 1960s. I especially enjoyed the 2023 Cabernet Franc ($115) for its beautiful aromas of cigar-box spices, silky texture, and a mix of black and red fruit. One of my favorites among the Cabernet-dominant blends, the 2023 Las Piedras ($95) is a balanced and structured wine with a darker, blackberry-and-cassis profile.
Tastings range from $125 for a behind-the-scenes tour and sampling of current releases to $250 for the Pritchard Hill Via 4×4 option, a two-hour jaunt that includes a vineyard excursion and a scenic outdoor tasting paired with California artisan cheeses.
Beyond the bottle
If, like me, you’ve made a resolution to spend less money on soulless, mass-produced things, Carter & Co. in downtown St. Helena is a great place to put that idea into action. Stop in to peruse handmade, kiln-fired ceramics and tableware crafted by local potter, sculptor and artist Richard Carter. If clean lines and functional beauty set your heart aflutter, check out the artist’s minimalist dinnerware in granite and white tones.
Appointments by reservation only from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Chappellet Winery, 1581 Sage Canyon Road, St. Helena. 707-286-4219, chappellet.com
Tina Caputo is a wine, food, and travel journalist who contributes to Sonoma magazine, SevenFifty Daily, Visit California, Northern California Public Media, KQED, and more. Follow her on Bluesky at @winebroad.bsky.social, view her website at tinacaputo.com, and email her story ideas at tina@caputocontent.com.