Trefethen Vineyards, Winery in Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley, United States
Trefethen Vineyards is a winery in the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley featuring a distinctive wooden three-level building designed around a gravity-fed system. Grapes travel naturally from the top floor downward through the winemaking process, with the architecture reflecting the practical needs of wine production.
The winery was built in 1886 by Scottish sea captain Hamden McIntyre under the name Eshcol and survived Prohibition by producing sacramental wine legally. This shift in production allowed the business to remain active during decades when other wineries closed.
The estate reflects a commitment to responsible farming that visitors notice through its sustainable vineyard practices and careful land stewardship. The family connection to the property spans generations, creating a sense of continuity between past vineyard methods and present-day environmental care.
The tasting room is located at 1160 Oak Knoll Avenue and provides access to wines made from grapes grown on the property. Allow time to wander the grounds and take in the vineyard views, as the layout makes for a relaxing visit.
This is the only surviving wooden gravity-flow winery building from the 1800s remaining in Napa County and earned listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Its recognition highlights how rare such original wine-production architecture has become.
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