Grace Family Vineyards
Summary
Grace Family Vineyards operates from a tiny three-acre estate in St. Helena, Napa Valley, producing extremely limited Cabernet Sauvignon from gravelly loam soils on western benchland vineyards. Their pioneering garage wine approach features meticulous berry-by-berry sorting, native yeast fermentation, and extended aging in French oak, with production rarely exceeding 500 cases annually across just two wines.
Heritage & Leadership
Grace Family Vineyards was established in 1976 when Dick and Ann Grace planted one acre of Cabernet Sauvignon vines on their property in St. Helena, Napa Valley. The vineyard began as a family project, with the Graces initially selling their grapes to Caymus Vineyards. In 1978, they produced their first vintage under the Grace Family Vineyards label, releasing just 200 cases. This marked the beginning of what many wine historians consider one of the first "garage wines" of Napa Valley, helping pioneer the boutique winery movement in California.
For over four decades, Dick and Ann Grace guided the winery, maintaining extremely limited production while establishing a reputation for quality and exclusivity. Their leadership extended beyond winemaking into humanitarian efforts, with the Graces dedicating significant resources to philanthropic projects in Tibet, Nepal, and other regions. In 2019, a significant transition occurred when the Graces sold the estate to Kathryn Green, a longtime wine collector and businesswoman committed to preserving the vineyard's legacy. Under Green's ownership, Helen Keplinger was appointed as winemaker, bringing her experience from previous work at Bryant Family Vineyard and her own label.
Vineyards & Wines
The original Grace Family estate vineyard encompasses just over one acre in St. Helena, planted exclusively to Cabernet Sauvignon. Located on the western benchland of Napa Valley, the vineyard benefits from well-drained gravelly loam soils that provide ideal growing conditions for Bordeaux varieties. In addition to the original estate parcel, Grace Family now includes the adjacent vineyard formerly known as Blank Vineyard, which was acquired in the 1990s and adds approximately two acres to their holdings.
The vineyards are meticulously farmed with low yields, typically producing less than 500 cases annually across all wines. The flagship wine remains the Grace Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from the original estate vineyard. The portfolio also includes "Blank Vineyard" Cabernet Sauvignon from the adjacent property. Both wines undergo careful hand-harvesting, with grapes sorted multiple times before fermentation. The vineyards are planted at a density of approximately 1,800 vines per acre, with vines ranging from new plantings to some dating back to the original 1976 establishment.
Philosophy & Practice
Grace Family Vineyards adheres to a minimalist winemaking approach that emphasizes vineyard expression over cellar manipulation. The production process begins with hand-harvesting in small lots during the early morning hours, followed by berry-by-berry sorting. Fermentation occurs in small tanks with native yeasts when possible, allowing for precise control over each batch. The wines typically undergo extended maceration to develop structure and complexity before being transferred to French oak barrels.
Aging protocols at Grace Family involve 18-24 months in new French oak barrels from select coopers. The winery employs a gravity-flow system to minimize harsh handling of the wine. Each vintage receives careful attention from the winemaking team, with blending decisions made through extensive tasting trials. Final bottling occurs without fining or filtration when conditions permit, preserving the wine's natural character and aging potential. Throughout its history, Grace Family has maintained a commitment to small-scale, detail-oriented production methods that prioritize quality over quantity, limiting distribution primarily to mailing list customers and select restaurants.