St. Supery Estate Vineyards

St. Supery Estate Vineyards became one of the most intriguing stories in Napa Valley when Chanel, the French luxury house, acquired the estate in 2015, adding a Rutherford winery to a portfolio that already included Chateau Canon and Rauzan-Segla in Bordeaux. The winery was founded in 1982 by the Skalli family of France, who recognized the potential of Napa's Rutherford appellation to produce Cabernet of world-class quality. The Chanel acquisition brought fresh investment and international cachet to an estate that was already well-regarded for its estate-grown wines.

The estate encompasses 500 acres of vineyard divided between two distinct properties: the Dollarhide Ranch in the eastern hills of Pope Valley, a vast 1,530-acre property with 500 acres under vine, and the Rutherford Estate on Highway 29 in the heart of the valley. This dual-vineyard structure gives the winemaking team access to dramatically different growing conditions: the warm, sunny Pope Valley for bold reds and the Rutherford benchland for structured, classic Cabernet. The diversity allows for a portfolio that spans the full range of Napa Valley styles.

Winemaker Michael Scholz crafts a portfolio led by the Elu proprietary red blend, one of Napa's most polished Bordeaux-style wines. The Rutherford Estate Cabernet shows classic benchland character, while the Dollarhide Sauvignon Blanc, from the cooler mountain vineyard, is one of the most aromatic and refreshing whites in the valley. The estate is certified sustainable through the Napa Green program, with both properties committed to responsible farming practices.

The tasting room on Highway 29 in Rutherford offers one of the most educational experiences in the valley. The self-guided vineyard gallery includes a walk-in sensory room where visitors can smell and touch the soils, plants, and aromas that shape wine character. The tasting bar offers flights of current releases, and a wine blending experience allows visitors to create their own Bordeaux blend from individual varietal lots. The Chanel ownership adds a layer of French luxury to the experience without making it feel exclusive or intimidating.

St. Supery's Chanel connection elevates its profile while the estate's commitment to education and accessibility keeps it grounded. The sensory gallery, the blending experience, and the approachable pricing make it one of the best introductory tasting experiences in Napa Valley. For visitors who want to understand how wine is made before they taste it, St. Supery provides the most hands-on education available on Highway 29.