The world’s most recognized and popular grape variety, Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in almost every major wine-producing country. Interestingly, Cabernet Sauvignon as we know it today didn’t appear in its native France until the late 17th century. Created through natural crossbreeding between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, French vintners soon discovered that Cabernet Sauvignon was relatively easy to grow, with hardy, low-yielding vines that produce thick-skinned grapes and robust age-worthy wines. Cabernet Sauvignon quickly established itself as one of the great grapes of Bordeaux, and the rest of the world soon took notice.
A LEGACY TAKES ROOT
While Mission grapes had been grown in Napa Valley since the 1700s, it was George Yount (of Yountville fame) who was credited with laying the foundation for the modern Napa Valley wine industry when he planted his first vineyards in 1839. This was followed by the founding of Charles Krug Winery in 1861, Beringer in 1876, and Inglenook in 1879—the same year that our own Historic Stone Cellar was built by pioneering vintner Jean Laurent.
During this period, when America was obsessed with Bordeaux wines, local vintners began importing and planting Cabernet Sauvignon, laying the groundwork for what would become the history of Cabernet in Napa Valley. In 1889, a Cabernet Sauvignon from Inglenook won a Gold Medal at the Paris World Fair. Over the next 75 years, and despite Prohibition and a phylloxera epidemic, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon continued to grow in popularity, becoming the region’s signature grape. This reputation was cemented at the famed “Judgement of Paris” in 1976, when the 1973 Stag’s Leap Napa Cabernet Sauvignon astonished the wine world by earning top honors against a lineup of acclaimed wines from Bordeaux.
A NAPA VALLEY ICON
The Judgement of Paris ushered in a new era for American wine, with Napa Valley Cabernet leading the charge. Today, the United States is second only to France in Cabernet Sauvignon acreage. With warm, sun-kissed days and cool nights providing an ideal diurnal temperature swing, Napa Cab has found a perfect home in Napa Valley. Unlike Bordeaux, where the grape can be impacted by mid-season rains or struggle to get ripe in cold vintages, Napa Valley generally offers exceptional growing conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon. As a result, the finest Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons stand alongside the world’s greatest wines and are highly prized by collectors and connoisseurs. It’s no wonder that when people ask, “Why is Napa known for Cabernet?” the answer begins with its remarkable terroir and dedication to quality.
HONORING TRADITION, EMBRACING INNOVATION
At Markham Vineyards, we produced the inaugural Markham Cabernet Sauvignon from our Yountville Estate in 1978. Today, building on almost a half-century of experience working with this iconic variety, our acclaimed winemaker, Kimberlee Nicolls, is making many of the finest Markham Cabernets in our long and storied history. Crafted using grapes from our own estate vineyards in Calistoga, Yountville, and Oak Knoll, as well as fruit from the best growers in other top appellations, our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons have garnered rave reviews and earned acclaim for their complexity, elegance, and age-worthiness. Crowning this legacy is our newest release, The Philanthropist—a limited-production Cabernet Sauvignon made from the most exceptional estate barrels from our Yountville Ranch Estate that represents the pinnacle of Markham’s craftsmanship. The 2023 The Philanthropist Cabernet Sauvignon debuts to Markham’s Icon Tier in December 2025.
“Much like our Merlot program, our passion for Cabernet Sauvignon has led us to explore different expressions of the grape in Napa Valley,” says Kimberlee. This includes our generous and approachable Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, which embodies the valley’s diversity; our District Series Cabernets, which showcase the character of specific appellations within Napa Valley; the Marked Parcels wines like our Bryan’s Block and Meadowrock Cabernets, which highlight the very best vineyard blocks of each vintage; and our new release – The Philanthropist is the very pinnacle of our Cabernet Sauvignon program. And because Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot pair so beautifully together, we also craft blends featuring both grapes, including The Altruist, the Blue Boots Red Blend, and our Icon Tier Bordeaux blend, The Character.
HOLIDAY MOMENTS, PERFECT BY CABERNET
With Thanksgiving and the holidays just around the corner, there is no better time to explore Cabernet Sauvignon as wine gifts. Whether you’re stocking up for festive gatherings, planning pairings for special meals, or searching for the best wine to gift for the holidays, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a timeless choice. Rich, complex, and deeply expressive, it offers something for every wine lover, from bold, cellar-worthy selections that will age beautifully for years to come, to lush, ready-to-enjoy bottlings perfect for toasting the season. Cabernet is also ideal for holiday dinner pairings, particularly when served with prime rib, roast lamb, or hearty winter dishes. If you’re considering what to pair Cabernet with, think rich, savory foods that highlight the wine’s structure and depth. If you’re looking to give or enjoy something truly extraordinary this season, keep an eye out for the December 2025 debut of The Philanthropist—a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that captures the spirit of Napa Valley generosity and craftsmanship.
And for those looking to share the joy of Markham in an even more personal way, consider gifting an experience at our winery. The new Cabernet Connoisseur’s Experience offers a privately guided tasting of rare library vintages, limited single-vineyard wines, and an exclusive barrel tasting of The Philanthropist, all paired with artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, and chocolates. It’s a memorable journey through the past, present, and future of Napa Valley Cabernet—an experience that every wine lover will treasure.
At Markham, we invite you to share the gift of Napa Valley this season with a bottle that reflects both craftsmanship and generosity of spirit. Whether enjoyed at your own table or wrapped for someone special, Markham Cabernet Sauvignon captures everything that makes this season worth celebrating.
You may learn more about Markham Vineyards Icon Allocations here: https://markhamvineyards.com/markham-icon-allocations/