Fairchild Estate was established in 1999 when Lawrence D. Fairchild and his wife purchased land above Lake Hennessy in the Pritchard Hill area. The first commercial release was a 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon. Fairchild hired Philippe Melka as winemaker, and wine is made from Fairchild’s estate Sigaro Vineyard as well as from other vineyards, including the acclaimed Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard in Rutherford.