Capp Heritage Vineyards

Capp Heritage Vineyards is one of Napa Valley's most historically significant vineyard properties, first planted in 1869, making it among the oldest continuously cultivated vineyard sites in the valley. The modern winery, which launched its own label after generations of selling grapes to other producers, now offers a downtown St. Helena tasting room that connects visitors to a vineyard history spanning over 150 years. The 100-acre estate has been farmed through phylloxera, Prohibition, the modern wine boom, and every other chapter of Napa's agricultural history.

The 100-acre vineyard includes some of the oldest vine plantings in the valley, with rootstock and vine material that connects the estate to the 19th century. The St. Helena location provides the warm growing conditions that produce Cabernet of the appellation's characteristic richness. The Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot from cooler estate sections round out the portfolio.

Winemaker Matt Sands produces wines that honor the estate's extraordinary history without being constrained by it. The Cabernet captures St. Helena's warm benchland character, the Sauvignon Blanc is crisp and modern, and the Merlot provides a softer red option. The pricing is moderate, reflecting the family's farmer-first mentality.

The downtown St. Helena tasting room on Main Street makes the wines accessible to visitors exploring the village on foot. The staff connect the wines to the estate's 150+ year vineyard history, providing context that transforms a simple tasting into a journey through Napa Valley's agricultural past. The $40 fee includes the portfolio and the history.

Capp Heritage matters because its vineyard is a living monument to the earliest days of Napa Valley viticulture. The vines that grow here today are rooted in soil that has been producing grapes since the Civil War era, and every bottle carries that extraordinary continuity.