BECKSTOFFER HERITAGE VINEYARDS

Beckstoffer’s six Napa Valley Heritage Vineyards have a history and provenance that is unparalleled in California. Each vineyard offers a unique terroir that has historically produced the highest quality Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for some of Napa Valley’s most iconic wines. All of these vineyards have been cultivated for over 150 years and represent a living testament to the area’s viticultural legacy.

These Heritage Vineyards play a role in preserving the cultural and agricultural heritage of the Napa Valley, serving as a profound link from the past to the future with our modern and sustainable farming techniques as well as providing some of Napa Valley’s most remarkable and historic wines. More than 100 fine wines are designated as originating entirely from Beckstoffer Vineyards Heritage Vineyards.

Perhaps the most famous of the Beckstoffer vineyards, Beckstoffer To Kalon was purchased from Beaulieu Vineyard in 1993. Napa pioneer Hamilton Crabb first planted the vineyard in 1868, and it has produced some of the Napa Valley’s best red grapes ever since. Replanted in 1994 to multiple clones of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc with modern trellising and closer vine spacing, the vineyard produces several highly coveted vineyard-designated wines.

In 2007 the property was placed under a land conservation easement that forever prohibits
non-agricultural development.

Portrait: Hamilton Crabb

Napa pioneer Dr. George Belden Crane originally planted Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard in 1858. During the 1920s the Chinatown of the City of St. Helena was located on the site. Acquired by Beckstoffer Vineyards in 1997, the gravelly, loam soils of this vineyard were replanted in 1998 to multiple clones of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc varietals.

Portrait: Dr. George Belden Crane

In 2018, this vineyard was placed under a land conservation easement that forever prohibits non-agricultural development.

Beckstoffer Bourn Vineyard was originally the vineyard of William Bowers Bourn II, considered the last Bonanza King of the California Gold Rush because of his ownership of the Empire Mine – the finest gold mine in California. Bourn is also credited with having built Greystone Cellars in St. Helena (currently the Culinary Institute of America Greystone). He purchased his vineyard in St. Helena in 1872 as a family home and much of the original vineyard land remains in the care of his descendants to this day. A portion of the original vineyard was purchased by Beckstoffer Vineyards in 2010. Planted with head-trained, old-growth Petite Syrah and clones of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Portrait: William Bowers Bourn

Planted to vineyard for over 150 years, Beckstoffer Las Piedras traces its history back to the original Mexican land grants. In the 1840’s, European settler Edward Bale was given property as wedding gift from General Vallejo and planted it to Mission grapes. It became the first vineyard planted in what is now the St. Helena appellation.

The vineyard was first planted to wine grape varietals by Henry Amstutz, a colleague of Henry Pallet, one of California’s first great winemakers, who established one of the first wineries in the Valley on the adjoining property in 1860. In 1983 Beckstoffer Vineyards purchased the property and planted it to two clones of Cabernet Sauvignon. Impressed with the quality of the gravelly soil, the farm workers named the vineyard Las Piedras, which means little pebbles.

Portrait: Edward Bale

In 2015, this vineyard was protected under a land conservation easement that forever prohibits non-agricultural development.

Historical records show that a portion of this vineyard was planted in 1895 by Mrs. Thomas Rutherford. This 300-acre parcel was first purchased by Beaulieu founder Georges de Latour in 1928 and called Beaulieu Vineyard #3. It was the home to BV’s Rutherford Cabernets made by the renowned winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff. These wines achieved wide acclaim in the 1960’s and 70’s, establishing BV’s pre-eminence in the making of fine Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Purchased by Beckstoffer Vineyards in 1988, the vineyard was replanted using new Cabernet Sauvignon clones with tighter spacing and advanced trellising systems, enhancing quality and efficient modern farming. Today, Georges III Vineyard is home to the main offices of Beckstoffer Vineyards.

In 2009, 181 vineyard acres were placed under a land conservation easement that forever prohibits non-agricultural development.

Portrait:  Elizabeth Yount Rutherford

Located north of the town of Yountville in the Oakville AVA, Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper was originally part of a large piece of land owned by George C. Yount, from whom the town of Yountville takes its name. Purchased by Charles Hopper and given to his daughter Missouri in 1877, the land was planted to wine grapes, prunes and walnuts. In 1960, the land was purchased by Bruce Kelham as part of the historic Vine Hill Ranch. Purchased by Beckstoffer Vineyards from the Kelham family in 1996, the vineyard is today planted with multiple clones of Cabernet Sauvignon. 

In 2002 this property was placed under a land conservation easement that forever prohibits non-agricultural development.

Portrait:  Charles Hopper