Foley Johnson

Foley Johnson is a Rutherford estate that brings together wine and olive oil production on the historic Peral Vineyard, one of the oldest continuously farmed properties in the appellation. Founded in 2012 as part of the Foley Family Wines portfolio, the estate occupies 48 acres that were originally planted in the late 19th century and have been producing grapes through every era of Napa Valley history. The property also includes an Italian olive grove, and the tasting experience pairs estate wines with estate olive oil in a farm-to-table approach that captures the Mediterranean character of the Rutherford landscape.

The 48-acre vineyard sits on classic Rutherford benchland, with the well-drained alluvial soils that have made the appellation synonymous with great Cabernet Sauvignon. The olive grove, planted alongside the vines in the Italian tradition, adds agricultural diversity and provides the raw material for the estate's extra virgin olive oil. The combination of wine and olive oil production on a single estate is increasingly common in Napa Valley but rare enough that it distinguishes Foley Johnson from the many single-crop operations along Highway 29.

Winemaker Brooke Shen produces a focused portfolio that emphasizes Rutherford Cabernet alongside Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay. The estate Cabernet delivers the earthy, structured character that Rutherford is known for, while the Merlot offers a softer, more approachable red option. The Sauvignon Blanc, from the estate's cooler blocks, is crisp and food-friendly. The olive oil, pressed from the estate's Italian varieties, is available for tasting alongside the wines and is a popular purchase for visitors looking to bring home a taste of the estate.

The tasting room on the estate is housed in the historic Zinfandel Building, a restored structure that connects visitors to the property's 19th-century roots. Tastings include the wine portfolio alongside olive oil samples, and the staff explain how the two agricultural products complement each other at the table. The grounds are beautifully maintained, with the vineyard and olive grove creating a landscape that feels authentically Mediterranean. Walk-in visitors are welcome, and the $60 tasting fee includes both wine and olive oil.

Foley Johnson demonstrates that a Rutherford estate can be more than a Cabernet factory. The olive oil program adds a dimension of agricultural diversity that enriches both the tasting experience and the estate's connection to the land. For visitors who want to understand the broader agricultural potential of Napa Valley, Foley Johnson offers a taste of the Mediterranean tradition that inspired many of the valley's founders.