Markham Heritage
Markham has always embodied a spirit of creativity and collaboration. From building the iconic stone cellar, to firing a cannon annually in the vineyards, to crafting our signature Merlot, the Markham story continues to evolve, grow and be enriched by each voice’s unique mark of character.
The Voices of Markham
Jean Laurent
The Inception of Markham’s
Historic Stone Cellar
Frenchman Jean Laurent leaves the Bordeaux region of France in 1852 to join the Gold Rush in California, a journey that leads him to establish one of the first wineries in Napa Valley. His Bordeaux upbringing molded him into a viticulture and winemaking purist, and he quickly discovers that the Napa soils are a natural home for the grapevine. Jean founds a winery in 1874 and — after finding success with his wines — builds the stunning stone cellar in 1879 that remains the heart of Markham Vineyards today.
1885
By the end of the century, Jean Laurent has become one of the largest producers of the California wine boom and is considered a major figure in Napa’s emerging wine industry. He is an early adopter of new technology, crush equipment and oak cooperage not common in California at this time.
1933
Prohibition ends! The purported first drink in Napa Valley is celebrated by the Heitz family at the stone cellar.
1939
The historic stone cellar is reborn under a new name: St. Helena Co-Operative Winery, which continues to operate as the fourth-oldest continually operating winery under this original bond number.
THE VOICES OF MARKHAM
Bruce Markham
Our Namesake
Bruce Markham is an Arizona businessman who finds himself with a pocketful of money in the late 1970s. He invests in 230 acres of vineyards across the Napa Valley, a craftsman-style bungalow home and Jean Laurent’s old stone cellar winery along Highway 29. Around the same time, the Napa Valley is gaining visibility in the wine world after a wine competition in Paris — now famously known as “The Judgment of Paris” — puts Napa Valley Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon on the map.
Bruce served in the US Navy and had a miniature cannon. The story goes that he would mark the start of each harvest by firing his cannon in the vineyards.
1977
Markham Vineyards is born and Bryan Del Bondio is hired as the first employee.
THE VOICES OF MARKHAM
Bryan Del Bondio
Our Visionary
Bryan Del Bondio’s vision and devotion over the course of his 42-year tenure earn a stellar reputation for our portfolio of wines and leave a profound impact on the winery.
1978
Cabernet from our Yountville Estate marks the first vintage of Markham Cabernet Sauvignon.
1980
Our first vintage of Markham Merlot is produced, making Markham the fourth winery to produce Merlot in the Napa Valley.
1990
Wine Spectator names the 1990 Markham vintage “Merlot of the Year.”
1993
Kimberlee Nicholls is hired as an enologist.
1997
Bryan Del Bondio is featured on the cover of Wine Spectator with our award-winning Merlot. Markham adds an additional 150 acres to our estate vineyards.
2001
Kimberlee Nicholls is promoted to head winemaker, making her one of the first female head winemakers in Napa Valley.
THE VOICES OF MARKHAM
Kimberlee Nicholls
Our Champion
Kimberlee Nicholls is a chemist full of energy and life with a long history in Napa and a deep love of Merlot. As one of the first female winemakers in the Napa Valley, her talent is highly respected. With over 30 years of winemaking experience — and 20 vintages as our winemaker — she continues to expand our portfolio and maintain our long tradition of making benchmark Bordeaux varietals. She is an integral part of Markham’s story and has greatly contributed to our countless accolades and enduring place as one of Napa Valley’s great wineries.
2010
Our 260 acres of estate vineyards receive Napa Green Land Certification.
2013
Markham Vineyards winery goes green and receives Napa Green Winery Certification.
2018
Markham Napa Valley Vineyards celebrates 40 years of winemaking.
2019
Bryan Del Bondio retires after 42 years with Markham Vineyards. To honor his time with us, we name a portion of our Yountville Estate vineyard as “Bryan’s Block”.
2020
Markham estate vineyards receive names that honor our history:
Calistoga | Rockerbox Vineyard
Yountville | Yountville Ranch & Bryan’s Block
Yountville | Hopper House Vineyard
Oak Knoll | Little Cannon Vineyard
2020
Our expanded portfolio launches, featuring new vineyard designated wines and Bordeaux blends with an updated label bearing our cannoneer illustration from our first vintage.
2020
Winemaker Kim Nicholls celebrates her 20th vintage as Winemaker with Markham Napa Valley Vineyards.