Shafer Vineyards :: Our Vineyards

Hillside Estate Vineyards

Size: 54 acres
Location: Stags Leap District
Varietals planted: Cabernet Sauvignon

Our signature wine, Hillside Select, is sourced from the slopes of an amphitheater-like structure of rock, where thanks to a series of knolls and outcroppings some vineyard blocks receive southeastern sunlight, while others receive southern, or western exposure. Each afternoon cool breezes from San Francisco Bay channel into our box canyon. "The consistent heat helps to achieve ripeness, while the evening chill retains acidity," says Doug Shafer.

Meanwhile, the rock-choked volcanic soil often goes no deeper than 18 inches before hitting weathered bedrock. With the quick runoff this offers and a lack of plant nutrients, the struggling vines produce clusters with small, intensely flavored berries.

Borderline

Size: 25 acres
Location: Stags Leap District
Varietals planted: Cabernet Sauvignon

A main source for our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Borderline is a broad, sunny site at the southernmost end of Stags Leap District. When purchased a few years ago, it was the last plantable parcel of any size available within Stags Leap District.

We carefully developed the site to ensure that it enjoyed the same quick drainage as a hillside vineyard. Each winter we plant heavy cover crops to compete with the vines for water and nutrients.

“The result is we are harvesting fruit with intense, lush flavors, great color, and the soft, supple tannins, you’d expect of Stags Leap District,” says Doug Shafer.

La Mesa

Size: 18 acres
Location: Napa Valley
Varietals planted: Syrah, Petite Sirah

The source for Relentless is a remote, ridge top vineyard that touches the southern border of Stags Leap District. This location places it along the same breezeway as our Hillside Estate and brings the vines a daily cooling effect from San Francisco Bay.

"In spite of its name -- mesa means table in Spanish -- this vineyard is far from flat: eastern, southern and western exposures offer an ideal blend of heat and sunlight," says Doug Shafer, adding that the consistent sun exposure helps the fruit achieve ideal ripeness. As a "field blend," Relentless is a wine truly made in the vineyard. The Syrah and Petite Sirah fruit grows side by side and are picked, crushed and fermented as one.

The Relentless® Story

Ridgeback & School Bus

Size: 42 acres
Location: Napa Valley
Varietals planted: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot

These two adjacent vineyards are sources for our Merlot and One Point Five®. Located in dry, rocky knolls at the base of the Vaca Mountains, these parcels offer the fruit a beneficial variety of sun exposures as well as late-day chill from San Francisco Bay.

Here our sustainable farming practices are in full swing, utilizing cover crops to control erosion, fertilize the soil and create a habitat in which populations of vine pests are held in check by their natural predators. “Our earth-friendly agriculture means that these sites are still home to jack rabbits, wild turkeys, lizards and even bob cats,” says Doug Shafer.

Red Shoulder Ranch

Size: 66 acres
Location: Los Carneros
Varietal planted: Chardonnay

The source of our Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay is a vineyard draped across rolling hills within sight of San Francisco Bay. Here we've planted a blend of five Chardonnay clones that give us small clusters, low yields and abundant flavors.

"The long, cool growing season in Carneros allows the fruit to mature slowly and evenly, letting us wait for the right moment when sugar and acid achieve balance," says Doug Shafer.

The vineyard name honors the red-shouldered hawks and other birds of prey that keep the root-eating gopher population under control.

Red Shoulder Ranch® Story