Franciscan Estate was founded in 1973 and one of its first owners was Justin Meyer, founder of Silver Oak. Franciscan’s 240-acre vineyard is in Oakville and fruit from that vineyard produced the debut wine, which was the 1975 Cabernet Sauvignon. The estate changed hands several times in the following decades and in 1999 it was purchased by Canandaigua Wines, now known as Constellation Brands Inc. It is the world’s largest publically-traded spirits company and owns more than 100 brands, including beer and liquor producers. Franciscan makes Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and blends.