O'Shaughnessy
Summary
O'Shaughnessy Estate Winery is a family-owned Napa Valley producer established in 1996, crafting terroir-driven Cabernet Sauvignon from three distinct vineyard estates, including high-elevation sites on Howell Mountain and Mount Veeder with volcanic and sedimentary soils. The winery maintains a balanced approach between traditional techniques and modern precision under longtime winemaker Sean Capiaux, fermenting fruit in small lots using both stainless steel and concrete vessels before aging in French oak to express the distinctive character of their mountain vineyards.
Heritage & Leadership
O'Shaughnessy Estate Winery was established in 1996 when Betty O'Shaughnessy Woolls and her late husband purchased their first vineyard property on Howell Mountain in Napa Valley. Betty, who had previously built a successful career in real estate and culinary education in Minnesota, relocated to California to pursue her interest in viticulture and winemaking. The winery remains family-owned, with Betty and her current husband Paul Woolls overseeing operations.
From its inception, O'Shaughnessy has maintained consistent leadership in the winemaking department. Sean Capiaux, who brings experience from notable wineries including Peter Michael, Jordan, and Pine Ridge, has served as winemaker since the winery's founding. This continuity in winemaking direction has helped establish a clear identity for O'Shaughnessy's wines over more than two decades of production.
Vineyards & Wines
O'Shaughnessy's vineyard holdings span three distinct Napa Valley appellations, each contributing unique characteristics to their portfolio. The original Howell Mountain estate encompasses over 120 acres, with 29 acres planted primarily to Cabernet Sauvignon at elevations between 1,800 and 1,900 feet. This mountain property features the volcanic soils typical of the Howell Mountain AVA, with red clay loam and volcanic rock that provide excellent drainage and stress the vines to produce concentrated fruit.
In 2000, the winery expanded to Mount Veeder with the acquisition of a 42-acre property, where 17 acres are planted to vines at elevations exceeding 1,800 feet. The Mount Veeder vineyard contributes additional complexity to their blends with its sedimentary soils and cooler microclimate. Their third estate vineyard is located on the valley floor in Oakville, offering different soil compositions and growing conditions that complement the mountain fruit.
O'Shaughnessy focuses primarily on Bordeaux varieties, with Cabernet Sauvignon forming the backbone of their production. They also cultivate Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Carménère across their properties, using these varieties both for blending and, in some cases, for small-production varietal wines. Their portfolio includes distinct Cabernet Sauvignons from Howell Mountain and Mount Veeder, showcasing the terroir differences between these appellations.
Philosophy & Practice
The winemaking approach at O'Shaughnessy balances respect for traditional techniques with modern precision. Fruit from each vineyard block is harvested separately and fermented in small lots to preserve site-specific characteristics. The winery employs both stainless steel and concrete fermentation vessels, with concrete tanks particularly valued for their temperature stability and gentle extraction properties.
In the cellar, O'Shaughnessy ages their wines in French oak barrels, with new oak percentages tailored to each wine and vintage. Their mountain Cabernets typically undergo extended aging to allow the structured tannins to integrate fully before release. The winery practices minimal intervention in their winemaking, focusing instead on meticulous vineyard management to ensure optimal fruit quality at harvest.
Vineyard practices at O'Shaughnessy emphasize sustainable farming methods that maintain soil health and vineyard biodiversity. Their mountain vineyards are dry-farmed when possible, promoting deep root systems and naturally concentrating flavors in the fruit. The combination of high-elevation sites, diverse soil types, and careful farming results in wines that express the distinctive character of their Napa Valley mountain terroirs.