Key Producers Napa Valley
Welcome to our exploration of Napa Valley’s most iconic producers—home to some of the world’s most celebrated wines. Renowned for its exceptional terroir, Napa Valley is where legendary names like Opus One, Screaming Eagle, and Caymus Vineyards craft wines that embody the region’s rich history and innovative spirit. Each producer has a unique story, from the pioneering vision of Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild in creating Opus One, to the rarefied excellence of Screaming Eagle’s limited production. Whether it’s the bold Cabernet Sauvignon from Stag’s Leap or the classic elegance of Dominus, Napa Valley continues to set the standard for world-class winemaking. Dive into the histories, philosophies, and signature wines that have made these producers synonymous with quality and prestige.

- Location: Oakville, Napa Valley
- Founded: 1986
- Production: Approximately 500 to 700 cases annually
- Classification: Napa Valley AVA
Screaming Eagle
Screaming Eagle is perhaps the most legendary and exclusive winery in Napa Valley, known for producing some of the most expensive and collectible wines in the world. Founded in 1986 by Jean and Heidi Phillips, the winery is located in the heart of the prestigious Oakville AVA. The name “Screaming Eagle” was inspired by the eagle-shaped logo created by Heidi Phillips and has become synonymous with rarity, luxury, and quality. Despite its relatively small size, the winery’s intense focus on craftsmanship has resulted in exceptional wines that are adored by collectors and connoisseurs.
Screaming Eagle produces just 500 to 700 cases annually, making it one of the smallest-scale producers in Napa Valley. The winery’s flagship wine is a Cabernet Sauvignon, often with a small percentage of Merlot or Cabernet Franc. Classified as Napa Valley AVA, Screaming Eagle’s wines are intensely concentrated, with remarkable depth and aging potential. The winery’s scarcity and consistent quality have made it a symbol of Napa Valley’s finest, attracting a global following and commanding high prices at auction.
Screaming Eagle
Screaming Eagle is perhaps the most legendary and exclusive winery in Napa Valley, known for producing some of the most expensive and collectible wines in the world. Founded in 1986 by Jean and Heidi Phillips, the winery is located in the heart of the prestigious Oakville AVA. The name “Screaming Eagle” was inspired by the eagle-shaped logo created by Heidi Phillips and has become synonymous with rarity, luxury, and quality. Despite its relatively small size, the winery’s intense focus on craftsmanship has resulted in exceptional wines that are adored by collectors and connoisseurs.
Screaming Eagle produces just 500 to 700 cases annually, making it one of the smallest-scale producers in Napa Valley. The winery’s flagship wine is a Cabernet Sauvignon, often with a small percentage of Merlot or Cabernet Franc. Classified as Napa Valley AVA, Screaming Eagle’s wines are intensely concentrated, with remarkable depth and aging potential. The winery’s scarcity and consistent quality have made it a symbol of Napa Valley’s finest, attracting a global following and commanding high prices at auction.

- Location: Oakville, Napa Valley
- Founded: 1986
- Production: Approximately 500 to 700 cases annually
- Classification: Napa Valley AVA
Opus One
Opus One is a joint venture between two of the most renowned figures in the wine world: Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild. Established in 1979, the winery was created with the ambition of producing a world-class Bordeaux-style wine in Napa Valley. Located in Oakville, one of the most coveted regions of Napa Valley, Opus One represents a fusion of California’s sunny climate and Bordeaux’s winemaking expertise. The estate’s striking architecture and vineyards are as iconic as the wine itself, with meticulous care given to every step of the winemaking process.
Opus One produces approximately 25,000 cases of its flagship wine annually, with a blend primarily made of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. The wine is classified as an American Viticultural Area (AVA) wine, with a focus on high-quality, full-bodied reds that age beautifully. The winery’s rich heritage and exceptional terroir have solidified Opus One as one of Napa Valley’s most prestigious and sought-after wines.

- Location: Oakville, Napa Valley
- Founded: 1979 (Joint venture between Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild)
- Production: Approximately 25,000 cases annually
- Classification: Napa Valley AVA

- Location: Yountville, Napa Valley
- Founded: 1995 (by Christian Moueix)
- Production: Approximately 10,000 cases annually
- Classification: Napa Valley AVA
Dominus Estate
Dominus Estate, founded in 1995 by Christian Moueix, a prominent Bordeaux winemaker, has quickly become one of Napa Valley’s most esteemed wineries. Located in the prestigious Yountville AVA, the estate spans 124 acres of vineyard, with a focus on producing world-class Bordeaux-style blends. Christian Moueix, known for his work with Château Pétrus in Bordeaux, brought his expertise to Napa Valley, with the vision of creating a wine that expressed both the unique Napa terroir and the traditional Bordeaux winemaking techniques. Dominus Estate’s commitment to excellence is reflected in its state-of-the-art winemaking facilities and sustainable farming practices.
Dominus produces approximately 10,000 cases annually, with its flagship wine, Dominus, being a blend of primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The wine is classified as Napa Valley AVA and is known for its depth, balance, and aging potential. Dominus is celebrated for its complex layers of fruit, earth, and spice, and has earned a reputation as one of Napa Valley’s top wines. Under the guidance of Moueix and his team, Dominus continues to set a high standard for Napa Valley wines, producing elegant, age-worthy wines that have garnered global acclaim.
Dominus Estate
Dominus Estate, founded in 1995 by Christian Moueix, a prominent Bordeaux winemaker, has quickly become one of Napa Valley’s most esteemed wineries. Located in the prestigious Yountville AVA, the estate spans 124 acres of vineyard, with a focus on producing world-class Bordeaux-style blends. Christian Moueix, known for his work with Château Pétrus in Bordeaux, brought his expertise to Napa Valley, with the vision of creating a wine that expressed both the unique Napa terroir and the traditional Bordeaux winemaking techniques. Dominus Estate’s commitment to excellence is reflected in its state-of-the-art winemaking facilities and sustainable farming practices.
Dominus produces approximately 10,000 cases annually, with its flagship wine, Dominus, being a blend of primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The wine is classified as Napa Valley AVA and is known for its depth, balance, and aging potential. Dominus is celebrated for its complex layers of fruit, earth, and spice, and has earned a reputation as one of Napa Valley’s top wines. Under the guidance of Moueix and his team, Dominus continues to set a high standard for Napa Valley wines, producing elegant, age-worthy wines that have garnered global acclaim.

- Location: Yountville, Napa Valley
- Founded: 1995 (by Christian Moueix)
- Production: Approximately 10,000 cases annually
- Classification: Napa Valley AVA
Scarecrow
Scarecrow is a small, boutique winery located in the renowned Rutherford AVA of Napa Valley, known for producing some of the region’s most exceptional and highly coveted Cabernet Sauvignon wines. The winery’s roots trace back to 1944 when the original vineyard was planted by J.J. Cohn, a former Hollywood film executive. In the early 2000s, the vineyard was revitalized by the Cohn family and turned into Scarecrow, under the leadership of J.J.’s grandson, Celia Welch. The name “Scarecrow” symbolizes the vineyard’s protection against birds and pests, and it also represents the unique character of the estate, which produces wines of remarkable depth and quality.
Scarecrow produces around 1,000 to 1,200 cases annually, focusing exclusively on its flagship Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon, which is known for its bold flavors, rich texture, and incredible aging potential. The wine is classified as Napa Valley AVA, and it consistently receives critical acclaim for its intense fruit concentration, elegant structure, and remarkable complexity. With such limited production, Scarecrow has become one of the most sought-after wines in Napa Valley, with each bottle considered a treasure by collectors and wine enthusiasts around the world.

- Location: Rutherford, Napa Valley
- Founded: 2000s (by Celia Welch, revived from the original 1944 vineyard)
- Production: Approximately 1,000 to 1,200 cases annually
- Classification: Napa Valley AVA

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Location: Oakville, Napa Valley (hills west of Oakville)
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Founded: 2008 (by Bill Harlan)
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Production: Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 cases annually
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Classification: Napa Valley AVA
Promontory
Promontory is one of Napa Valley’s most intriguing and exclusive wineries, founded by Bill Harlan as a visionary project distinct from his other estates. Located in the rugged hills west of Oakville, the land was first discovered by Harlan in the 1980s, but it wasn’t until 2008 that he acquired it, recognizing its potential for producing truly unique wines. With steep slopes, volcanic soils, and a microclimate influenced by the surrounding wilderness, Promontory’s vineyards yield wines of incredible depth, structure, and minerality. The estate operates with a long-term vision, embracing organic and biodynamic farming to capture the purest expression of the land.
Promontory produces approximately 2,000 to 3,000 cases annually, focusing exclusively on Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is classified under Napa Valley AVA, but it is distinct from typical valley-floor Cabernets, offering a more restrained, terroir-driven style that rewards patience and long aging. With its striking architectural design, cutting-edge winemaking techniques, and a philosophy centered on decades-long evolution, Promontory has solidified itself as one of Napa’s most exciting and sought-after estates, attracting collectors and connoisseurs who appreciate wines with profound complexity and longevity.
Promontory
Promontory is one of Napa Valley’s most intriguing and exclusive wineries, founded by Bill Harlan as a visionary project distinct from his other estates. Located in the rugged hills west of Oakville, the land was first discovered by Harlan in the 1980s, but it wasn’t until 2008 that he acquired it, recognizing its potential for producing truly unique wines. With steep slopes, volcanic soils, and a microclimate influenced by the surrounding wilderness, Promontory’s vineyards yield wines of incredible depth, structure, and minerality. The estate operates with a long-term vision, embracing organic and biodynamic farming to capture the purest expression of the land.
Promontory produces approximately 2,000 to 3,000 cases annually, focusing exclusively on Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is classified under Napa Valley AVA, but it is distinct from typical valley-floor Cabernets, offering a more restrained, terroir-driven style that rewards patience and long aging. With its striking architectural design, cutting-edge winemaking techniques, and a philosophy centered on decades-long evolution, Promontory has solidified itself as one of Napa’s most exciting and sought-after estates, attracting collectors and connoisseurs who appreciate wines with profound complexity and longevity.

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Location: Oakville, Napa Valley (hills west of Oakville)
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Founded: 2008 (by Bill Harlan)
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Production: Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 cases annually
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Classification: Napa Valley AVA