2010 Chappellet Vineyards Las Piedras

Chappellet Vineyard was founded in Napa Valley in 1967 by Donn and Molly Chappellet. Donn Chappellet was a businessman and entrepreneur from Southern California before turning to winemaking in Napa Valley. Philip Togni was winemaker for a period early in the winery’s history, and the estate was noted for its Cabernets. Today the 110-acre estate is run by the second generation of the Chappellet family and it still focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon, though it also makes Chardonnay.

Las Piedras was first planted in the mid-19th century, and within a few years its grapes were being used to make wine by Henry Amstutz, one of the area’s first important winemakers. The 25-acre vineyard in St. Helena was acquired by Beckstoffer in 1983. Today it is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon. Beckstoffer Vineyards owns and farms more than 3,600 acres of highly prestigious grape growing vineyards in Napa Valley, Mendocino County and the Red Hills of Lake County. A senior executive with Heublein in the 1960s, Andy Beckstoffer is credited with steering Napa Valley vintners towards improving farming and the quality of the grapes used for wine. Grapes from any Beckstoffer vineyards are considered among the finest available in California.