Shafer Vineyards, located in the Stags Leap District of the Napa Valley, is a renowned family-owned winery. It has gained a reputation for producing exceptional wines, most notably the Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon, considered one of California’s finest wines. As one of the founding estates in the Stags Leap District AVA, Shafer Vineyards has become a standard of excellence in terms of quality.

Covering approximately 57 hectares (140 acres), Shafer Vineyards owns several vineyards in the Stags Leap District. The Hillside Estate vineyard features shallow, well-drained soils that yield small, intensely flavored berries. The finest sections of this vineyard are dedicated to crafting the Hillside Select wine, known for its luscious plum and cherry flavors, as well as its well-structured tannins, which allow for long-term aging of a decade or more.

In addition to the Hillside Estate vineyard, Shafer cultivates other vineyards such as Borderline and Ridgeback & Schoolbus. These vineyards contribute to the production of their other Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Shafer’s Relentless cuvée is created using Syrah and Petite Sirah grapes from the La Mesa vineyard. Furthermore, the Red Shoulder Ranch located in Carneros encompasses 27 hectares (66 acres) of Chardonnay vineyards. The Chardonnay grapes from this site are fermented in stainless steel, resulting in a lively and complex wine.

Shafer Vineyards traces its origins back to 1972 when John Shafer arrived in Napa Valley with a dream of establishing his own winery. He purchased a parcel of land in the hills of Stags Leap and diligently terraced and replanted the steep vineyards. Shafer’s wines have been receiving critical acclaim since 1978 when their first Cabernet vintage was produced. Doug Shafer, John’s son, became the winemaker in 1983 and continued the family legacy with passion and expertise.