A partnership between historic Napa landholder Charlie Crocker and winemaker Pam Starr, producing polished wines from one of St. Helena's oldest vineyards, first planted in the 1870s.
Crocker and Starr is a partnership between one of Napa Valley's most historic landowning families and one of its most talented female winemakers, producing powerful, site-expressive wines from 80 acres of prime St. Helena terroir. Charlie Crocker, whose family's connection to Napa Valley stretches back to the 19th century through the Crocker railroad fortune, owns the land. Pam Starr, a UC Davis-trained winemaker who previously made wine at Spottswoode, provides the winemaking vision. The partnership, formalized in 1997, combines deep agricultural heritage with contemporary winemaking expertise.
The 80-acre vineyard sits on the western benchland of St. Helena, one of the most coveted vineyard addresses in the valley. The Crocker family has owned this land for generations, and the vineyard includes some of the oldest vine plantings in the area. The soils are deep alluvial deposits, warm and well-drained, ideal for growing Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc of power and structure. Pam Starr's organic farming practices have enriched the soil biology, and the vineyard's health is evident in the quality and consistency of the fruit.
Pam Starr produces a focused portfolio of Bordeaux-inspired wines that showcase the estate's St. Helena terroir. The Cabernet Franc, her signature variety, is one of the finest standalone examples in the valley, showing the aromatic lift and savory complexity that the variety achieves in warm, well-drained soils. The Cabernet Sauvignon is powerful and structured, built for aging. The Sauvignon Blanc, from the estate's cooler blocks, is crisp and mineral-driven. The Stone Place Red, the estate's proprietary blend, combines the best lots of each vintage into a wine of genuine complexity.
Tastings at Crocker and Starr are by appointment and conducted on the estate, where the combination of historic land, organic farming, and Pam Starr's passionate winemaking creates an experience of substance and authenticity. The intimate scale means visitors receive personal attention, and the conversation often touches on organic viticulture, the history of the Crocker family's land holdings, and the role of Cabernet Franc in Napa Valley. The $75 tasting fee reflects the estate's quality and the depth of the experience.
Crocker and Starr matters because it demonstrates the power of partnership between land and talent. Charlie Crocker's vineyard is a generational asset that could easily produce anonymous bulk wine; Pam Starr's winemaking transforms it into something extraordinary. The Cabernet Franc in particular is a wine that should be on every serious Napa Valley visitor's list, a variety that Starr has championed with more conviction and success than almost any other winemaker in the valley.
Contact the winery for full details about this experience, including availability and any special requirements.
