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Some wines are worth remembering,
a rare few are unforgettable.

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NAPA’s Atlas Peak Volcanic Mountain and the Sill Family

The pandemic remains a challenging time for all of us, and the health, safety and welfare of our Club Members and our family and workers remain paramount. As of June 5th, the Napa County Supervisors allowed Napa wineries to reopen to the public and with it a return to semi-normal business as “almost” usual. So, we’ve extended our online web store’s (SHOP tab) gratuitous shipping of all our available wines with the continuation of $1.00 flat rate on all orders of 6 bottles or more. We truly appreciate your overwhelming continued support and your love of wonderful food and extraordinary wines!

The Sill Family

   

Please Note: Since the Atlas Peak fires of Oct 2017 destroyed our Winery we are not permitted to be open to the public. You may only purchase our wines direct from this website or enjoy them at a few exclusive, fine restaurants. Our Maestro Wine club members, trade partners and friends are always welcome to visit us for a tasting by appointment.

We now include all shipping costs with any purchase of 6 bottles or more, at $1.00 flat rate to any of our licensed States.

 

Our vineyard is planted with Cabernet Sauvignon vines that are exceptional clone 7 grafted on 110R rootstock and were carefully chosen for harmony with our vineyard’s terroir.  We practice organic and biodynamic farming with minimalistic intervention so that this incredible terroir can speak for itself.  Superb wines come from great ingredients that only naturally farmed vineyards can produce. We welcome you to join us at our estate tasting patio high atop Atlas Peak, where you’ll enjoy spending quality time walking our vineyard, hearing more about our farming philosophies, and enjoying the beauty of nature. You’ll be personally greeted for an unforgettable tasting experience.

Our Atlas Peak Enologist, Derek Irwin, graduated from the University of California, Davis, and started his career as an enologist and assistant winemaker at Cosentino Winery in Yountville and then moved to Bouchaine Vineyards where his brilliant skills were utilized as assistant winemaker. Derek was privileged to work under the mentorship of world renowned Italian enologist, Alberto Antonini. In the late 1990's he moved to Viansa Winery and led their wine programs as Chief Winemaker and Vineyard Manager.
Our ambition has always been to produce a premier Grand Cru Napa "First Growth" from the terroir of our high elevation volcanic mountain vineyard, and I believe we have not only achieved that, but are also the most passionately made wine in America. We may make many compromises in life, but never with our wine.

“Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing.”

~ Ernest Hemingway ~

Our Estate History

We recognize that we are only the most recent stewards in a long history of our land, farming according to a continually organic and sustainable methods. We utilize a farm conservation plan for the vineyard which includes environmentally-based practices that utilize beneficial insects and predatory birds in order to protect and sustain our environment naturally. We are deeply committed to building a family legacy that will endure for future generations to come.

1800

The earliest stewards of what is now the upper Napa Valley were the Wappo, native gardeners and land conservationists who tended these lands until the early 1800s. The Wappo maintained a delicate balance among wildlife, water, vegetation and human impact during their occupation.

1841

In 1841, the Russian Baron, Alexander Rotchef, landed in Mendocino’s Fort Ross and traveled to St Helena. He was accompanied by his wife, the beautiful Princess Helena, whose godfather was Czar Nicholas. According to local folklore, the property dates back to the mid 1800’s when it became the home of the Russian princess, Helena, who started a flower nursery, along with some grape vines on the property.

1880

Robert Louis Stevenson and his new bride, Fanny Vandergrift Osbourne spent the summer of 1880 honeymooning in an abandoned mining camp on Mount St. Helena. Stevenson’s book The Silverado Squatters includes much of his experiences while living there.

1980

From the 1880s to the late 1980s these lands remained under continuous vegetation and grape cultivation, surviving many successive owners.

1996

In 1996, the Sill family acquired a portion of the Princess’ property, specifically the Blackrock Terrace block along the Silverado Trail.

2003

Since 2003, our friend and vineyard manager, Mike Nunez, has done an exceptional job in delicately handling the growth of our grapes so as to produce fruit of unique quality.

2016

In September of 2016 we completed the purchase of the 24.5 acre Ardente Estate Winery, an Atlas Peak AVA, Napa winery and vineyards whose high-ranking Cabernet Sauvignon have achieved notable accolades and top awards among California’s finest premier Cabernet Sauvignon wines. We are thrilled to have secured this truly magical vineyard.

2016

In November 2016 we secured our official Federal TTB Winery license (Winegrower 2) allowing us to grow estate grapes, ferment them into alcoholic wines and sell them to our customers while collecting taxes of course!

2017

Mother Nature brought us the devastation of the Atlas Peak October 2017 fires, completely destroying our Winery and numerous buildings and structures, thus, we are now faced with the rebuilding and permitting challenges of County of Napa. We are not permitted to be open to the public at this time. The majority of our 2017 vintage was harvested hours before the fires arrival.

2018

Our 2015 vintage Cabernet Sauvignon received the coveted CWSA 2018 Wine of the Year award, as well as the Double Gold Medal. An amazing silver lining to 2017's disaster.

2019

The French Laundry is an epic culinary experience to what Anthony Bourdain has called “the best restaurant in the world, period” and represents the pinnacle of the fine California dining experience, topping every foodie’s bucket list. In 2014 The French Laundry’s wine list was awarded The World of Fine Wine’s highest rating and in 2019 The French Laundry added Sill Family Vineyards’ 2015 Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon to its wine menu.

2022

We completed planting and nurturing 6 new vineyard blocks consisting of 110R rootstock, clone 7 certified Cabernet Sauvignon vines. A four year farming effort which will bear exceptional fruit in 2023.

The Winemaker

emersonigor-sillWinemaker, Igor, became passionate about Bordeaux wines after being introduced to Château Margaux, Château Latour and Château Lafite Rothschild in the late 1970s by H. Lyman Emerson, a renaissance gentleman and noted fine wine collector.  In 1997 through 2010 Igor worked with Francois Pinault’s Group Artemis, owner of Château Latour. Château Latour is a French wine estate, rated as a First Growth under the 1855 Bordeaux Classification and lies in the commune of Pauillac in the Médoc region of Bordeaux.

Igor went on to become a Court of Master Sommelier, judging wine competitions including the annual International Wine Challenge, earned his Masters at Oxford University’s Merton College and learned his winemaking craft via UC Davis’ viticulture program. He worked at Italian wine producer, V. Sattui Winery and Opus One Winery in Napa. Igor acquired the St. Helena appellation property some twenty nine years prior and fell in love with Napa’s numerous microclimates and unique terroirs.  Thereafter, he started a thorough search for an extraordinary volcanic mountain vineyard.  That search lead to the purchase of the twenty four acre Atlas Peak Mountain Winery property (formerly Ardente Estate Winery) in 2016, turning his passion for collecting fine Bordeaux and Burgundian wines into a love for producing it with an artisian Old-World approach.

Igor chose Napa’s high elevation Atlas Peak volcanic appellation on the Vaca mountain ridge given its longer sun exposure and cooler nights because it presents an obscure, distinctive area for truly great wines, those with profound boldness, elegance, density and character.  There are numerous soil characteristics which provide this specific site with the mysteries that unfold in this volcanic mountain plateau’s exceptional terroir.  This vineyard represents a unique piece of Napa winemaking history as it was one of the most difficult to plant, hard to farm and its quality is truly exceptional.  Of course, the small size of the vineyard limits production, but then, it also produces some of the greatest cabernet fruit Napa has to offer each and every year. This secluded piece of land is turning the heads of wine critics and collectors worldwide.

There is an undeniable interest in wines born of volcanic origin, interest which seems to have evolved into a significant upward trend in the wine world.  Any restaurant with pretensions of discovering beautiful, ultra premium wines will have an Atlas Peak red wine listed these days. Igor spends considerable time walking this volcanic vineyard, developing an appreciation for every row of vines in his Atlas Peak mountain vineyard.  The rootstocks receive excellent drainage as a result of the igneous volcanic rock’s structure, moisture retention and aeration characteristics when combined with ideal exposure to sunlight.  These wines possess all the elements of greatness, an individuality combined with elegance, extraordinary complexity, remarkable aging potential, remaining faithful to the vineyard’s pedigree. It’s this understanding and an integrated natural and precision farming approach to growing grapes that allows him to produce wines that reflect the essence, soul and spirit of this volcanic mountain range, because exceptional wines are truly created from exceptional grapes.

Like any other great work, his arose out of the passion for uncompromised quality in creating exceptional wines.  As a result, his wines are receiving world-wide rave reviews for their powerful expressiveness, density, character, elegance and silk-long finish. “We’ve uncovered an amazingly serene and peaceful lifestyle along with the challenges that volcanic viticulture and Napa Valley offers.”  Fine wine, sunshine, great food and romance are enticements that seduces everyone who visits here.

"Clearly, the pleasures wines afford are transitory, but so are those of the ballet or of a musical performance. Wine is inspiring and adds greatly to the joy of living.”

~ Napoleon Bonaparte ~

Available Wines

Operating as one of Napa’s smallest, hand-crafted ultra-premium volcanic cult vineyards, Sill Family Vineyards is proud to offer you our exceptional, limited production of Bordeaux-style Cabernet Sauvignon, Burgundian-style Chardonnay and our industry first Burgundian & Bordeaux styled très Rosé de Chardonnay!  Availability is very limited, thus, our Club Members have reserved first access, thereafter, our website orders are made available.  We apologize in advance if our wines are unattainable. Thank you for your understanding. We now include all shipping costs with any purchase of 6 bottles or more, at $1.00 flat rate to any of our licensed States and though we would love to share our wines throughout the world, currently we are only allowed to ship to the following states: AK, AZ, CA, CT, FL, IL, MA, MI, NH, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, SC, TX, WA.

$59.00

très Chardonnay Brut Sparkling

Our très Chardonnay Brut Sparkling opens with expressive aromas and exotic blends of elegance and finesse. Striving for finesse rather than overflowing power, our très Méthode Champenoise sparkling exudes a silky, dry, delicate texture and finishes with a longing desire for a second glass. À votre santé!

SOLD OUT

2015 and 2016 très Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford

Crafted utilizing classic, Premier Grand Cru Bordeaux-style techniques from grapes grown and harvested from the legendary superior Rutherford bench, Napa vineyards.

$195

2017 très Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford

Crafted utilizing classic, Premier Grand Cru Bordeaux-style techniques from grapes grown and harvested from the legendary Rutherford bench, Napa vineyards.

SOLD OUT

2015 très Cabernet Sauvignon, Atlas Peak

Crafted utilizing classic, Premier Grand Cru Bordeaux-style techniques from grapes grown and harvested from our high elevation Atlas Peak Mountain vineyards.

$65

2018 très Rosé de Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast

Blends the very best of both wine worlds with the elegance, purity of fruit, harmony of an exceptional Burgundian Chardonnay along with the richness, complexity and depth of a Bordeaux-style Cabernet Sauvignon.

$65

2017 très Rosé de Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast

Blends the very best of both wine worlds with the elegance, purity of fruit, harmony of an exceptional Burgundian Chardonnay along with the richness, complexity and depth of a Bordeaux-style Cabernet Sauvignon.

$65

2017 très Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast

The style of our 2017 très Chardonnay blends elegance, purity of fruit, harmony and finesse. We’re a small, boutique Napa vintner producing a limited number of barrels of exceptional Sonoma Coast grown Chardonnay.

$85

2017 très Merlot, Atlas Peak

Shows lovely cherry-like aromas with hints of sibling Cabernet’s herbaceousness, and cream-tinged softer tannins over those found in Cabernet Sauvignon.

“Making good wine is a skill; making fine wine is an art.”

~ Robert Mondavi ~

The Vineyards

At its best, wine is an expression of place, and the magical Atlas Peak volcanic mountain plateau on which Sill Family Vineyards’ 24+ acres of Cabernet Sauvignon (80%), Merlot (18%) and Petit Verdot (2%) grapes grow is certainly extraordinary. Wine is also a reflection of the people who create it, and that starts with the precision, organic farming practices of this mysteriously rewarding land. The vineyard sits in an elevation of 1,500 feet above sea level, sheltered from oceanic foggy winds by the western Mayacama mountain ridges. We are truly blessed with an optimal west facing exposure which provides a full hour more sun exposure over valley floor vines and with an abundance of pure unadulterated clean fresh air.

Extraordinary care is taken to assure that our wine’s aroma, flavor, and texture express a sense of this magical place. Terroir is one of the absolute key elements in a wine’s characteristic taste and flavor, and wild indigenous yeast is an absolute vital component of our terroir.

Wild yeast is exactly what the name implies, it is the naturally existing yeast blowing and circulating in the vineyard’s air, much as pollen does. The yeasts in vineyards seem to flow from wind-ruffled trees, transported by mild breezes, bees, and insects that surround the vineyard. Wild yeast attaches to surfaces of the grape skin and, as it hangs onto the skins, it faithfully represents its surroundings, the air, sunshine, temperature, bees, vines and many other elements. It’s a complex organism that fuels and drives many processes in the crafting of wine and certainly influences the final, finished product.

Winemakers believe that the land speaks to them of possibilities. My sole ambition is to fully express those possibilities, capturing the very best of what this magical land offers. This care and attention is manifested in our vineyard’s sustainable precision farming practices.

We are committed to maintaining the beauty of our natural habitat with sustainability as the focus of our green farming practices. We take into account the impact of every vineyard decision on the native ecosystems under our stewardship. We plant a diverse array of cover crops which are matched to our specific soil type to naturally improve soil nutrients, health and promote indigenous insect growth while using organically produced compost in our plants, soils and vineyards.

Our precision farming practice utilizes a total systems approach, essentially treating the vineyard as an overall component of a much larger ecosystem. We emphasize minimal soil tilling, smart energy use, waste management and water conservation as good stewards of these lands, while creating wines that are uniquely expressive. We employ an extensive winery waste water management system that captures waste water to prevent run-off and soil erosion.

We understand that what is best for our vineyards is ultimately best for Mother Nature and our planet Earth and we continue this commitment of responsibility to the environment for generations to come. We are Fish Friendly Farming certified, NapaGreen certified, Climate Adaptation Certification carbon requirements and National Wild Life Federation certified. Owing to the rigorous NapaGreen program standards, we continuously find the purest, natural source of elements for the vineyard. We do not use artificial and synthetic materials, nor petroleum-based products. As farmers, we are deeply committed to the highest quality, natural standards.

"Wine offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than possibly any other purely sensory thing which may be purchased."

~ Ernest Hemingway ~

Join Our Wine Club

The sharing of a fine bottle of wine has always played an intimate role in deepening family bonds and friendships throughout history. The simple, yet profound act of sharing a bottle of wine opens doors to the heart in the same way that a warm smile softens differences. We are able to provide our Wine Club members with deep discounts on our wines because we are better able to gauge our production requirements as a result of your Wine Club purchase commitment.  We truly appreciate your “partnership” commitment and your passionate support. In this spirit of sharing, we invite you to learn more about our extended family, our Sill Family Vineyards Wine Club. No sign-up fees and no shipping costs.

Our wines are sold direct to our customers, and a very few exclusive dining establishments, thus, our website ordering and our Wine Club membership are the best ways to enjoy our wines. Our Wine Club provides many benefits to its elite members, as well as to ourselves. In addition to having the opportunity to taste a selection of limited production wines, there are no sign-up fees, no shipping costs (with a minimum 6 bottles) and priority over non-club buyers.

As a member, you’ll receive one (1) shipment per year (Fall/Oct-Nov). The cost ranges from $312 to $1,776 per shipment excluding tax based on your selection. Not only will you receive 15%-25% off your club shipments, you are also welcome to re-order any of these bottles and more directly from our Winery at the same great savings, and no shipping fees.

Our Wine Club can be customized to focus solely on the wines that you prefer; however, we may not be able to fulfill all your requests given our limited production. We invite you to join our Wine Club to guarantee your allocation of our small, limited production wines and to enjoy unique club benefits!

We offer three levels of memberships: Ambassador, Sommelier and Maestro Sommelier each available with any combination of our wines. Each membership level is shipped once per year (late October/early November), Ambassador= One shipment of 6 bottles per year; Sommelier= One shipment of 12 bottles per year or Maestro Sommelier=One shipment of 24 bottles per year.  There are NO SHIPPING COSTS TO WINE CLUB MEMBERS.

 

Ambassador

6 Bottles Annually
15% discount on all SFV wines

AMBASSADOR CLUB

Sommelier

12 Bottles Annually
20% discount on all SFV wines

SOMMELIER CLUB

Maestro Sommelier

24 Bottles Annually
25% discount on all SFV wines
Winery Tour & Tasting

MAESTRO SOMMELIER CLUB

Since we are not permitted to be open to the general public, we are only able to receive our friends and guests of our 24 bottle annual commitment Maestro Sommelier Club members. These by-appointment-only tastings & tours will help you discover the hidden side of Atlas Peak Mountain wine country while joining our extended family. We are open to all “trade” visitors, so please call us directly at 415 244 4646 mobile for an appointment.  All wine sales will be shipped or delivered. There are no “take out” orders allowed. Our visitors are welcomed Thursday through Saturday at 10AM – 4PM by pre-paid appointment only. Due to capacity restrictions, we can accommodate a maximum party size of six guests. Please allow 60 minutes for your visit, which will be a private experience including a vineyard (weather-permitting) tour, as well as a tasting of four estate-grown wines. We are unable to accommodate guests under the age of 21 and we do not allow pets. Our private tour & tasting experience is $125 per guest. The cost of each tasting is refundable for every 6 bottles purchased (per person). Reservations must be cancelled at least 48 hours prior to the appointment in order to avoid charges.

Details of the fine print:

Sill Family Vineyards strives for total customer satisfaction. There are no signup fees. We will notify you by email in advance of ship date. Shipments will be sent ground to business or residential addresses (business address preferred) and we will delay shipment if the weather is unsuitable. Laws pertaining to wine purchase and shipment vary from state to state, and we are unable to ship to select states. By law, an adult signature (over 21 of age) is required upon receipt for all alcohol shipments.

Your credit card will be billed prior to shipping for the cost of the wine and any applicable taxes. Please inform us of any changes to account numbers, expirations, shipping and billing addresses. By joining, you are agreeing to these terms and certifying that you are at least 21 years of age. You may cancel your membership at any time after your one year commitment is fulfilled by email or phone with no penalties, however, we cannot cancel a shipment that is already on its way to you. If you decide to cancel your membership before your 1 year agreement, extra charges may be applied.

Contact

Sill Family Vineyards has made a pledge to donate 10% of each year’s profits to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) and Kadoch Lab, which maintains affiliations at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. The Kadoch Lab brings together the best of the leading cancer research community to tackle unique challenges in unraveling chromatin regulatory mechanisms. We support this important research because we realize that there are a lot of people and organizations out there who are in need of some help.

 

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