Chappellet Vineyard & Winery

Chappellet Vineyard and Winery is one of the founding estates of Pritchard Hill, the exclusive eastern hillside above Lake Hennessey that many winemakers consider the finest Cabernet Sauvignon terroir in Napa Valley. Founded in 1967 by Donn and Molly Chappellet, who left Los Angeles for the mountains of Napa at a time when only a handful of wineries existed in the valley, the estate occupies 120 acres of steep, terraced vineyard at elevations ranging from 800 to 1,800 feet. Chappellet was the second winery to be established on the hill (after OVID), and the family's five-decade commitment to the site has established Pritchard Hill as one of the world's great vineyard addresses.

The vineyard is planted on the thin, rocky soils of the Vaca Range, where volcanic rock, schist, and clay combine to create conditions of extreme natural stress. The steep south-facing slopes receive intense sunlight throughout the day, producing grapes of deep color and concentrated flavor, while the elevation provides cooling afternoon breezes that preserve acidity and extend the growing season. The combination of extreme terrain and careful farming produces Cabernet Sauvignon of a character that is recognizably different from valley-floor wines: more structured, more mineral, more intense.

Winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus has been making the Chappellet wines for over two decades, producing a portfolio anchored by the Signature Cabernet Sauvignon. The Signature, the estate's flagship, is one of the most consistently excellent mountain Cabernets in the valley, showing dark fruit, firm tannins, and a distinctive iron-and-graphite minerality. The Pritchard Hill Cabernet, from the estate's highest blocks, is the most intense and age-worthy wine in the portfolio. The Chenin Blanc, one of the last remaining examples of the variety in Napa, is a beloved anomaly that has been produced since the winery's founding.

Tastings at Chappellet are by appointment and take place on the mountaintop estate, where the views of Lake Hennessey and the valley below are breathtaking. The experience includes a tour of the vineyard and a seated tasting of the current portfolio, with the Pritchard Hill Cabernet and the Chenin Blanc providing the highlights. The mountain setting, the family history, and the quality of the wines combine to create one of the most rewarding tasting experiences in the valley.

Chappellet's significance extends beyond its own wines. The family's decision to plant on Pritchard Hill in 1967 opened the door for the estates that followed: OVID, Colgin, Bryant Family, and others that have established the hill as Napa's most exclusive vineyard address. Without Chappellet's pioneering example, Pritchard Hill might still be grazing land. The Chenin Blanc, meanwhile, serves as a living reminder that Napa Valley's diversity is one of its greatest strengths, even in an era dominated by a single variety.