Shafer Vineyards
A Family Tradition
An icon of modern winemaking in the Napa Valley, Shafer Vineyards was founded in 1972 by John Shafer, who left a career in publishing to pursue his passion for oenology in California. John and family moved into an estate in Stag's Leap District and began work re-establishing vineyards on the surrounding land. Around five years later, the first Cabernet Sauvignon was produced and it was clear that John had a natural talent for winemaking. Since then, the portfolio has expanded to include Merlot, Syrah and Chardonnay-based wines to name but a few - quality is high across the board and the team pay close attention to preserving varietal character across all bottlings.
John sadly passed away in 2019 and the winery is now managed by his son Doug - a graduate of UC Davis. Doug continues his father's work in partnership with Elias Fernandez, assistant winemaker at Shafer Vineyards. Their flagship wine is Hillside Select, produced using 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged for 32 months in new French oak.
