The Vineyards
Carter Cellars is made from four of the Napa Valley’s most storied vineyards, all farmed by Beckstoffer Vineyards ▪ from the historic To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville to Las Piedras and Bourn in St. Helena.
Our Vineyards
Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard
The Beckstoffer portion of the historic original To Kalon Vineyard in the Oakville AVA was first planted by Napa pioneer Hamilton Crabb in 1868 and has produced some of the valley’s finest red grapes ever since. Purchased by Beckstoffer from Beaulieu Vineyard in 1993 and replanted to multiple clones of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, it yields several of the world’s most celebrated vineyard designated wines — among them Schrader, Paul Hobbs, Tor, Realm and, of course, Carter Cellars.
Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard
Dating to the Mexican land grants, Las Piedras is considered the first vineyard planted in what is now the St. Helena AVA. Impressed by the gravelly soil, the farm workers named it Las Piedras — ‘the stones’. Riddled with rocks at the base of Sulfur Creek, the porous soil, matched with excellent farming, gives remarkably dense and concentrated fruit.
Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard
North of Yountville in the Oakville AVA, this land was once part of George C. Yount’s holdings, given to Missouri Hopper in 1877 and later part of the historic Vine Hill Ranch. Purchased by Beckstoffer Vineyards in 1996 and planted to multiple clones of Cabernet Sauvignon, it provides fruit with sweet tannins and a unique, savory profile.
Beckstoffer Bourn Vineyard
In St. Helena, between the Dr. Crane and Las Piedras vineyards, Bourn was part of the 1872 estate of the Bonanza King. Today it is farmed by Beckstoffer Vineyards, and its fruit joined the Carter Cellars lineup as a vineyard-designated Cabernet Sauvignon.
From Past Vintages
Hossfeld Vineyards ▪ The Coliseum
Twenty years ago people thought Henry Hossfeld was crazy for the slope and solid rock he chose in Soda Canyon — at planting, each vine hole was fractured into the terraces with a stick of dynamite. Steep and terraced like a Roman coliseum, this dramatic site’s volcanic soils give distinctive Cabernet: structured, graphite and herbal scented, with massive fruit extraction, inky black color and powerful tannins.
Weitz Vineyard
Long considered one of the gems of the Turnbull vineyard portfolio, the Weitz Vineyard — also known as the Leopoldina — sits on sixty-two glorious acres high on the Oakville Bench. Fractured volcanic rock and degraded boulders force the vines to struggle, naturally limiting production; the fruit is renowned for its profound structure, elegant rich texture and lingering acidity and minerality.
Fortuna Vineyard
In Oakville, this fifty-nine acre site on the valley floor carries ancient red volcanic soils and alluvial cobblestone from the adjoining Vaca Range. Its unique sloping bench produces spicy fruit with tannic backbone and the tell-tale dust that has made Oakville Cabernet so famous.
Revilo Vineyard
A stone’s throw from some of St. Helena’s most famous sites, Revilo was farmed and named — his own name, reversed — by Reg Oliver of El Molino Winery. His daughter Lily continues the tradition, and their efforts paved the way for Carter Cellars’ great success with the Revilo label.
Truchard Vineyards
Established in 1974, when Tony and Jo Ann Truchard transformed an abandoned prune orchard in Carneros, the Truchard Estate Vineyard has grown to four hundred acres of varied hills and valleys whose old vine, head-trained Merlot reaches levels of concentration rarely found in the region.
Explore Beckstoffer To Kalon →
Explore Beckstoffer Las Piedras →