Yountville District
Originally planted more than 150 years ago, this legendary 78-acre vineyard sits along the southern edge of the Rutherford Bench in the Yountville District, the “beating heart” of Napa Valley. Ancient volcanic action along the western Mayacamas range created alluvial fans — deposits of clay, silt, sand and gravel — deep below the well-drained soils. Yountville Ranch offers exceptional terroir for classic Bordeaux varietals: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec.
MONIKER |
Yountville Ranch |
AVA |
Yountville |
ACRES |
78 |
SOILS |
Perkins and Coombs gravelly loam |
VARIETALS |
Cabernet Sauvignon
|
ELEVATION |
190 |
SUSTAINABILITY |
Napa Green Land Certified Since 2013 |
Learn more about our sustainability efforts.
The Terroir
Located on a hillside benchland, this vineyard sees less fog influence than our other estate sites. Its widely varied, well-drained soils and warmer, windy afternoons combine to push the vines, producing intense red berry characteristics. The volcanic ash soils at the ranch are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, lending a distinct chalky texture to the resulting wines. Winemaker Kimberlee Nicholl’s favorite block is the source of our Marked Parcel Merlot planted on the highest knoll with a birds-eye view of the property.
Bryan’s Block
Located within Yountville Ranch, “Bryan’s Block” is named for our first employee and former president, Bryan Del Bondio, whose vision and passion were integral to building the Markham presence and portfolio.
The Vines
42 acres Cabernet Sauvignon
31 acres Merlot
2.5 acres Malbec
1.25 acres Cabernet Franc
1.25 acres Petit Verdot
The History
George Yount became the first settler in Napa Valley when, in 1836, he received more than 11,000 acres in a Rancho Caymus land grant from the Mexican government. In 1873, his friend Charles Hopper purchased 640 acres of this and planted the first wine grapes on what would eventually become our Yountville estate. In 1975, Bruce Markham purchased the estate and accompanying home, now known as Hopper House.