Old, Historic Wineries of Napa Valley

What are some of the oldest wineries in Napa Valley? Here's a look at a few of them you can visit.

Image from Charles Krug Winery

Charles Krug, St. Helena, founded 1861

The oldest winery in Napa also opened the first public tasting room in California, in 1882. The founder Charles Krug, a Prussian immigrant, bought over 500 acres of land, planted grapes and started the first commerical winery in the Napa Valley. In 1943 the winery was purchased for $75,000 by Cesare and Rosa Mondavi, and their sons Peter and Robert (yes, that Robert Mondavi). Today the winery is run by the third and fourth generation Mondavis.

Wine tastings are held in the restored 1872 Redwood Cellar.

Image from Schramsberg Vineyards

Schramsberg, Calistoga, founded 1862

Jacob Schram, a German immigrant, planted grapes in 1861 then put in hillside wine caves in 1862. The winery failed and fell into disrepair for many years following his death until the property was purchased by the Davies family in 1965 who shifted the focus to sparkling wines. Their youngest son, born shortly after buying the winery, runs Schramsberg now. They produce some of the country's finest sparkling wines.

The tasting and cave tour is a memorable experience.

 

Beringer. Image from Napa Valley

 

Beringer, St. Helena, founded 1876

The oldest continuously operating winery (they stayed open during Prohibition) was founded by German immigrants, the Beringer brothers. There have been just nine winemakers in the long history of Beringer, including a great-great-grandson of founder Jacob Beringer. The family sold the winery in 1971. Today it's owned by Treasury Wine Estates.

The winery is a state historic landmark. The Rhine House, the 19th century residence of one of the Beringer brothers, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Some of their wine tastings are done in this house.

Inglenook. Image from Wine Spectator

Inglenook, Rutherford, founded 1879

Started by Neibum, a Finnish sea captain, who planted some of the first Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley. He built the estate's chateau, completed in 1887. The winery stayed in the family after his death for a while, then floundered under corporate ownership. In 1975 part of the property was purchased by Francis Ford Coppola. He purchased the rest of the estate in 1995, restored the chateau in 1997, and bought back the Inglenook trademark and name in 2011.

Chateau Montelena. Image from Weimax Wines

Chateau Montelena, Calistoga, founded 1882

Established on 250 acres by a man named Tubbs from San Francisco, who had made his fortune during the Gold Rush. He built the iconic stone winery in 1886. In the 1950s the family sold the property and it became a private home for a while. But its fame came from the 1973 Chardonnay that won the Judgement of Paris under Bo Barrett. The Barrett family still runs the winery.

Other Napa wineries that are still around since the 19th century are Stags' Leap, Nichelini, Trefethen, Freemark Abbey, and Far Niente.

Picking grapes for the long defunct La Perla Winery in 1874
The property now belongs to Spring Mountain Winery
Image from St. Helena Historical Society