The Napa Wineries Every Cabernet Lover Should Know

We love Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley! We love discovering all the ways winemakers showcase their wines. We often get asked if we have a favorite…well, “all of them” isn’t a good answer, so we tried to narrowed it down. Here are the Napa wineries that anyone who loves Cabernet Sauvignon should be drinking. Trust us, we think you’re going to find something on this list you’ll like!

When the Chappellet family settled on the rocky slopes of Napa’s Pritchard Hill, they became the first winery to plant vineyards exclusively on high-elevation hillsides. From these Pritchard Hill vineyards, the Chappellets have been crafting extraordinary, age-worthy wines since 1967. Pritchard Hill’s rugged terroir has become legendary for producing wines with great intensity and depth—qualities that define the world’s finest Cabernet Sauvignons. As a result, Chappellet wines have consistently received the highest praise from critics, and are sought after by the world’s premier collectors. Today, a second generation of the family has joined their parents in embracing the romance of Pritchard Hill.

Owned and operated by the McDonald family, Round Pond Estate made a name for itself by selling fruit to other wineries. Once the family decided to begin to make their own wines, it didn’t take long for the rest of Napa Valley to take notice! Located in the heart of Napa’s famous Rutherford AVA, the winery produced several different Cabernet Sauvignon based wines. Kith & Kin is a lively and complex wine with deep berry flavors and a hint of spice. Their Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon is a deep and brooding wine, with plum, dark chocolate, and raspberry flavors.

In 1964, Louis Honig purchased a 68-acre ranch in Rutherford, in the heart of the Napa Valley. The vineyard was planted with Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, which he sold to neighboring wineries. Louis worked to create a family gathering place at the ranch, for his children and grandchildren, while he dreamed of the day he could retire from his San Francisco advertising agency and make wine from his vineyard. In 1984, at the age of 22, grandson Michael Honig took over management of the vineyard and winery. The Honig family are leaders in sustainability, both in the vineyard and the winery, and what began as a small “garage” winery has today become a successful family enterprise, with everyone working collaboratively to run an inspiring and socially responsible business.

Dark and brooding like its namesake, Faust Cabernet Sauvignon was founded by Augusten Huneeus to showcase the beauty of Napa Valley fruit. We love this wine for powerful blackberry, plum, and cassis. One of our go-to wine for steak night, it’s now in near constant rotation around our dinner table.

Named for the hourglass shape of its primary vineyard, Hourglass Estate has established itself as a powerhouse producer of intensely structured Cabernet, Merlot, and blends.