The legend
Unfolds
A timeline
Of excellence
Vine Cliff 1871 has weathered decades of challenge and change with a commitment to excellence that remains unwavering. Each generation of winemakers has left its indelible mark on the vineyard’s remarkable story, forging a testament to the perseverance, passion and triumph that unfolds across the estate’s rich timeline.
Our long
Heritage
- 1838
George Yount plants Napa Valley's first wine grapes on land that includes the future Vine Cliff 1871 property.
- 1868
H.W. Crabb plants the To Kalon vineyard in Oakville, establishing the district as Napa's premier Cabernet region.
- 1870-1871
Vine Cliff Winery is born when George Burrage and Thomas Tucker purchased 500 acres from the Yount estate. One of America's first bonded wineries, Vine Cliff rapidly became one of Napa's largest operations, winning awards for its Riesling and Claret.
- 1890s
Vine Cliff's golden age under John Fry. The estate became the destination for San Francisco's elite, featuring an 18-room mansion and setting California's standard of quality.
- 1901
Fry passes away. The grand structures vanish, leaving only the stone foundation and 1871 caves.
- 1920-1933
Prohibition. Vine Cliff becomes a "ghost winery" - its caves standing as silent monuments to Napa's past greatness.
- 1965
Robert Mondavi opens his Oakville winery nearby, revitalizing the district.
- 1976
The Judgment of Paris: Napa wines defeat French classics, proving what Vine Cliff demonstrated a century earlier.
- 1985
Vine Cliff rises again as the Sweeney family begins meticulous restoration, preserving the 1871 caves while building modern facilities.
- 1993
Oakville receives AVA designation, formalizing the district's extraordinary winegrowing prowess.
- 1995
Vine Cliff reopens, integrating modern winemaking with historic caves where wines age as they did in the 1870s.
- 2023
New golden age begins under Stephany Maillery and Stephan Crétier, who envision an unparalleled wine experience honoring over 150 years of winegrowing heritage.
- Today
Vine Cliff 1871 grows exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc across its 100-acre Oakville estate. From its original terraced vineyard blocks and caves dating back to 1871, today's vintages connect past and present. Like the phoenix, Vine Cliff 1871 has risen - transformed yet timeless.