Chappellet Winery, one Napa Valley’s most revered and storied vintners , continues to captivate wine enthusiasts around the globe.
Early Beginnings
The famous winery, the second winery to be founded in Napa Valley after the repeal of Prohibition, was founded by Donn and Molly Chappellet in 1967 after the couple decided to leave behind the corporate world in Los Angeles to pursue winemaking. Instead of following in the footsteps of the already established Napa wineries, the Chappellets went in a different direction. Their new winery was the first to plant vineyards exclusively on high-elevation hillsides, and their first Cabernet Sauvignon was released in 1969.
Fun fact: A five-liter bottle of the 1969 Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon was sold at Heritage’s Fine & Rare Wine Signature Auction for an astounding $64,575!
Pritchard Hill
Pritchard Hill, named after one of the first settlers of the area, is widely regarded as one of the valley’s most prestigious growing areas. Though not formally designated as an American Viticultural Area (AVA), it is regarded as one of the best mountainous terroirs in Napa Valley. The soil is particularly rocky, rich in iron, and drains extremely well. The climate is an ideal balance of warm, sunny days and cool nights. These environmental factors result in small, intensely flavored grapes, and the wines produced from them are often described as powerful, structured, and age-worthy.
Chappellet’s Pritchard Hill vineyards sit between 800 and 1,800 feet above sea level in 34 individual micro-vineyards across 104 acres. The diversity achieved across the vineyards gives Chappllet’s winemakers an unparalleled palette of varietals and clones from which to craft their wines.
Top Scores from Wine Enthusiast
2021 Grower Collection Chardonnay, Sangiacomo Vineyard, Carneros
95 Points
Tasting Notes: “This tantalizing Chardonnay displays lavish aromas of honeydew melon, lemon zest, white peach, nectarine and tropical flowers, with sophisticated hints of vanilla, nutmeg, clove and brioche from aging in French oak. While the palate is creamy and rich, with lovely depth and structure, enlivening natural acidity adds poise and energy to the juicy citrus and stone fruit flavors as they glide to a long, vibrant finish.”
2017 Grower Collection Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
94 Points
Tasting Notes: “Displaying the alluring essence of great Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, this wine is deliciously deep and complex, with aromas of ripe pomegranate, red currant, dark cherry, anise and black tea, along with hints of toasted French oak, clove, cardamom and vanilla. On the palate, mouth-filling flavors of plum and wild berries are underscored by silky tannins, with notes of wood spice, roasted coffee and sandalwood emerging on the rich and expansive finish.”
2018 Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
92 Points
Tasting Notes: “Rich, dark and concentrated, this wine displays luxurious aromas of crème de cassis, plum, ripe berries, anise and fresh herbs, as well as hints of vanilla, clove, dark chocolate and sweet spices from aging in French oak. On the lush, layered palate, supple fine-grained tannins frame the dark berry and black plum flavors, with hints of cedar, espresso and tobacco leaf adding sophistication to a long, voluptuous finish.”
2022 Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
96 Points
Tasting Notes: “With captivating complexity and deep and resonant aromas, this stunning wine embodies the essence of the very finest mountain fruit from Pritchard Hill, offering an impressive display of fragrant liqueur-like aromas of black currant, cassis and ripe blackberry. As it gracefully unfurls, notes of violet, sweet oak, cedar and black tea emerge, as well as hints of roasted coffee, graphite, cinnamon stick and vanilla bean. On the weighty palate it is pure and concentrated with polished, mouthcoating tannin framing luxurious layers of berry compote, dark chocolate, anise, wood smoke and sage as they flow to a long, radiant finish.”
