| Winery Name: | Spring Mountain Vineyard |
| Location: | St. Helena, CA |
| Appellation: | Spring Mountain AVA, Napa Valley |
| Year Founded: | 1873 |
| Varietal1: | Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Varietal2: | Sauvignon Blanc |
| Parent Company: | MGG Investment Group |
| Key People: | Tribucio Parrott, Charles Lemme, Fortune Chevalier |
| Tasting: | Open to public, by appointment only |
| Homepage: | springmountainvineyard.com |
Spring Mountain Vineyard is an iconic mountain-top estate in Napa Valley, California, recognized for its historic significance, elegant wines, and scenic landscape. The vineyard spans 845acres, rising from 400 feet to 1,7000 feet, and is divided into over 125 distinct blocks, each contributing to the complexity and elegance of the estate’s wines. As pioneers and innovators in Napa Valley for over 150 years, Spring Mountain Vineyard defines this unique AVA.
Spring Mountain Vineyard combines three distinct chapters of Napa Valley history. Together, these properties contribute to its vast size, diverse growing conditions, and storied past.
In 1873, Charles Lemme, a German immigrant, acquired 285 acres on Spring Mountain. By 1874, he started clearing the land and planted a 65-acre vineyard. Two years later, Lemme built a quaint stone and redwood winery, christening it La Perla, meaning "the pearl." Here, he made the first Cabernet Sauvignon from Spring Mountain. In the 1890s, the vineyard was sold to the Shilling Family, who expanded the property and winery operations.
Tiburcio Parrott constructed Miravalle, a palatial residence adorned with stained glass and offering panoramic views of Napa Valley. The expansive estate showcased his ornate taste and horticultural prowess with an Eastlake-style barn, a tunnel-excavated wine cellar, vineyards, plentiful orchards, and exotic gardens. After Parrott’s death in 1894, the property remained unused until it was purchased by Mike Robbins in 1974, who restored the residence and expanded the vineyard.
Founded by French immigrant Fortune Chevalier in 1891, the property exemplifies European craftsmanship and elegance. Chevalier built the winery and planted 40 acres of vineyards, creating an estate adorned with olive trees and intricate gardens. The property changed ownership several times, with significant renovations by John and Gil Nickel in the early 1980s.
Over the next century, these properties evolved - in size, ownership, and production. In the early 1970s, Bay Area developer Jerome Draper modernized the estate by installing weather stations and studying the climate and soil to optimize the vineyard blocks. By the 1990s, the neighboring estates were joined together to form Spring Mountain Vineyards, including the 435-acre La Perla, 257-acre Miravalle, 120-acre Chevalier, and 33-acre Streblow (Alba) vineyards. Following the devastating Glass Fire, the property was sold in 2022. Today, it is undergoing state-of-the-art renovation with significant replanting of the vineyards and upgrades to the old buildings.
Kevin Griffin is the CEO and CIO[1] of MGG Investment Group, the owner of Spring Mountain Vineyard. A veteran private lending investor, Griffin was Managing Director at Highbridge Principal Strategies, as well as Head of Private investing for Octavian Advisors, an investment firm focused on global investing across debt and equity structures. His vision and leadership have been pivotal in the development and success of the vineyard.
Peter Ekman serves as the CEO of Spring Mountain Vineyard. With over 25 years experience in the wine industry, Ekman has a resume that includes senior executive positions at companies such as Wine.com, Moët Hennessy, Vivino, Cosentino Wineries, and Bounty Hunter Wine & Spirits. His strategic guidance and dedication to excellence continue to drive the vineyard’s growth and reputation.
Philippe Melka has over 30 years experience as a renowned winemaker. Born in Bordeaux, France, he has worked at some of the world’s most prestigious wineries. His expertise and innovative techniques focuses on small production, handcrafted, high-end wines. His Cabernet Sauvignon wines masterfully blend French tradition with modern practices for elegance, balance, and pure expression of terroir.
With an impressive winemaking resume[2] that spans from Israel to Napa Valley, Maayan Koschitzky brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the winemaking team. He has worked alongside some of the top winemakers in the world, from Screaming Eagle to Dalla Valle, as well as with some of the most coveted terroirs in the world.
Bettinelli Vineyard Management oversees the cultivation and maintenance of Spring Mountain Vineyard’s extensive vineyard. Their expertise and state-of-the-art techniques ensure the highest quality of grape production, contributing to the exceptional wines produced by the estate.
Recognized as the “Grower of the Year, 2024,”[3] Goldberg plays a crucial role in the vineyard’s success. His innovative farming techniques and dedication to sustainable practices have earned him this prestigious accolade.
Spring Mountain Vineyard was one of the participants in the historic 1976 Paris Wine Tasting, also known as the Judgment of Paris. When its 1973 Chardonnay placed fourth,[4] finishing above many famous French houses, it helped put the Spring Mountain AVA on the map, solidifying it as a world-class growing region.
From 1981 until 1990, Spring Mountain Vineyard became known to television viewers as the setting for the CBS drama series Falcon Crest. The mansion, winery, and many acres of surrounding vineyards served as the fictional home of the ruthless matriarch Angela Channing, played by Jane Wyman. The show’s exterior scenes were filmed on location, bringing fame and recognition to the estate.
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