Silverado Vineyards Winery Explained

Winery Name:Silverado Vineyards
Location City:Yountville, California
Location Country:USA
Appellation:Stags Leap District AVA
Other Labels:Miller Ranch
Year Founded:1981
Key People:Diane Marie Disney, Ron W. Miller, co-founders
Jonathan Emmerich, Winemaker
Russ Weis, General Manager
Varietal1:Chardonnay
Varietal2:Sauvignon blanc
Varietal3:Sangiovese
Varietal4:Cabernet Sauvignon
Varietal5:Merlot
Tasting:by appointment

Silverado Vineyards is located east of Yountville, California in the Stags Leap District of Napa Valley.

History

Ron and Diane Miller purchased the land with existing vineyards in the mid-1970s. The winery takes its name, "Silverado," from the historic vineyard which surrounds it. The vineyard borrowed its name from the abandoned mining town at the top of the Napa Valley. Here, over a century ago Robert Louis Stevenson stayed and wrote, “The beginning of vine planting is like the beginning of mining for precious metals: the winegrower also ‘prospects’.”[1]

Although the Millers' original intention was to only grow grapes, they began construction of their own winery on the property in 1981.[2] Architect Dick Keith designed the old California mission style structure, which is often mistaken for an actual restoration.

The winery has acquired a total of seven family owned vineyards located in various districts throughout the Valley. Silverado produces Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon.[3] The previous owners of the vineyard were the See family of See's Candies.[4]

In July 2022, Silverado Vineyards was acquired by Foley Family Wines, with an estimated purchase price of over $150 million.[5]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: History of Silverado Vineyards.
  2. News: Dunne. Mike. Napa Valley's Disneyland vibe isn't Walt's doing. The Sacramento Bee. April 7, 2018. August 14, 2017.
  3. Book: Stewart, James . . . New York . 2005 . 0-684-80993-1.
  4. News: Bugue. Catherine. Touring Napa Valley's Silverado Vineyards: It's not what you think. Napa Valley Register. April 7, 2018. August 8, 2017.
  5. Web site: Exclusive: Foley Family Wines Buys Napa's Silverado Vineyards .