Lail Vineyards, in Rutherford, Napa Valley, was established in 1998. However its roots go back five generations to 1879, when Gustav Niebaum founded Inglenook Vineyards, one of California’s pioneering wine operations. Robin Lail, who with her husband Jon Lail own Lail Vineyards, is the great grand niece of Niebaum. She also has strong ties to Napa Valley winemaking, having worked for Robert Mondavi as well as being a co-founded of Dominus. Later she was president of Merryvale Vineyards. In 1995 she and her husband sold their interests in Merryvale and Dominus to focus on starting an estate of their own. Lail has vineyards on Howell Mountain and in Yountville. Lail’s winemaker is Philippe Melka, who worked in France, Australia and Italy before joining Lail. The estate’s signature wine is the J. Daniel Cuvee, a Cabernet Sauvignon blend.