History
The origins of the Napa Valley project
Marchese Piero Antinori first visited Napa Valley in the 1960s. The visit inspired a project devoted to exploring the potential of mountain viticulture in the region and initiated a prolonged search for a suitable property.
1985: acquisition with partners
In 1985, the Antinori family and other partners acquired an existing Napa Valley estate already known for red-wine production. The property occupied a high plateau in a remote part of the Vaca Mountain Range, at approximately 500–600 metres above sea level. Its hills recalled the Tuscan landscape, while the elevated terrain offered conditions considered particularly well suited to viticulture.
During the years that followed, the most promising portions of the property were planted with vines, gradually forming the vineyard estate now known as Antinori Napa Valley.
1993: direct Antinori ownership and operation
By 1993, the Antinori family had become increasingly convinced of the site’s potential. The family committed directly to the project, assumed ownership of the estate and took control of its vineyards and winery operations. The property was then described as having approximately 220 hectares under vine.
2006: Antica Napa Valley
The 2006 vintage brought the first production of Antica Napa Valley. The project was conceived as a meeting of Tuscan and Californian styles and represented an early milestone for wines bearing the Antinori identity in Napa Valley. The estate was consequently presented as Antica Winery before adopting the current Antinori Napa Valley identity.
The contemporary estate
Antinori Napa Valley now comprises 222 hectares of vineyards in the southeastern corner of Napa Valley. Its development continues the original objective established by Piero Antinori: expressing an elevated Vaca Mountains site through mountain viticulture and bringing Tuscan and Californian perspectives into balance.
Terroir
Location and elevation
The estate occupies a hidden valley in a remote, elevated part of the Vaca Mountain Range, in the southeastern corner of Napa Valley. The earlier description of the property places its high plateau between approximately 500 and 600 metres above sea level, while the contemporary vineyard description records parcels reaching about 600 metres.
Terrain, exposure and soils
Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grow on the mountain’s foothills and the steep slopes of Atlas Peak. These vineyards have volcanic-rock soils, pronounced gradients and south-western exposure. The estate’s hilly landscape was considered reminiscent of Tuscany when the property was acquired.
Vineyards farther down the valley are allocated to Chardonnay. This division associates the steep mountain slopes with complex, elegant Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, and the lower sites with complex, aromatic Chardonnay.
Fog and cooling air
The elevated parcels lie above Napa Valley’s characteristic fog line. Cool air currents arriving from San Francisco Bay influence the vineyards and support slow, even grape ripening.
Winemaking
The vineyard project was developed progressively after the 1985 acquisition, with the property’s most promising parcels selected for planting during the following years. Site allocation reflects the estate’s topography: Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc occupy the steep volcanic slopes and mountain foothills, while Chardonnay is grown farther down the valley.
High-elevation Cabernet parcels reach approximately 600 metres and stand above the fog line. Their south-western exposure and the cool airflow from San Francisco Bay encourage a slow, even ripening cycle.
Philosophy
Antinori Napa Valley was conceived as a challenge to express the full potential of Napa Valley’s mountain terroir. The project’s declared aim is rooted in the character of its elevated Vaca Mountains property and in the relationship between vineyard position, volcanic terrain, exposure and the gradual ripening encouraged by cooling air from San Francisco Bay.
A second defining idea is the balance between Tuscan and Californian styles. This principle shaped Antica Napa Valley from its first 2006 vintage and continues in the contemporary presentation of the estate. The project also reflects a long-term approach: Piero Antinori’s initial interest began in the 1960s, the property was acquired in 1985, its best parcels were developed over subsequent years, and the family assumed direct ownership in 1993 after evaluating the terroir’s potential.