Heitz Wine Cellars, Family winery in St Helena, Napa Valley, United States
Heitz Wine Cellars is a winery in Napa Valley, California, with vineyards spread across six appellations and farmed organically. The winery operates two tasting locations in the valley, the Estate and the Salon, each offering a different setting for visitors.
Joe and Alice Heitz founded the winery in 1961, and in 1966 they released a Cabernet Sauvignon labeled with the name of a single vineyard, Martha's Vineyard, which was one of the first times this was done in America. That practice of naming wines after specific plots went on to shape how California wines were understood and sold.
Heitz Wine Cellars is closely tied to the idea that a single vineyard can produce a wine with its own recognizable character from year to year. Visitors who taste across the range often notice how much the wines differ depending on where the grapes were grown.
The winery has two tasting locations in the valley, and it is worth checking which one suits your plans before you go. Reservations are generally recommended, and hours can vary by season, so confirming in advance saves time.
The 1968 vintage from Martha's Vineyard is often cited in wine history as a turning point for California wine, even though at the time it was known mostly within a small circle. It helped build the case that Napa Valley could produce wines on par with those from established European regions.
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