Grace Family Vineyards

Grace Family Vineyards is a small Napa Valley vineyard and winery associated with the rise of California's cult-wine tradition. The estate is located in the St. Helena American Viticultural Area in Napa County and is particularly identified with very limited-production Cabernet Sauvignon made from estate-grown fruit. The winery is also notable for having been among the earliest American wineries to use the word "family" in its name. Ann and Dick Grace began the estate in 1976 by planting one acre of vines. The first vintage, from 1978, was made at Caymus, the winery operated by Chuck Wagner. A second acre was planted in 1985, but the early vineyard encountered serious agricultural setbacks. The vines had been planted on phylloxera-susceptible rootstock, and oak root fungus later affected the original acre. These problems led to a complete replanting in 1995. Production fell dramatically during the transition, reaching only 48 cases in 1996; that year's wine was allocated to mailing-list customers at one 1-liter bottle per customer. Further planting and replanting brought output to approximately 150 cases by 1998. The winery's identity is based on scarcity, estate expression, and long-term vineyard stewardship rather than volume distribution. It manages two estate vineyard areas with different geological histories, divided by the West Napa Fault. The Grace estate reflects a relatively recent volcanic event, while Heath Canyon Ranch, which includes the Cornelius Grove and Heath Canyon vineyards, combines volcanic and fluvial geological influences dating to a much older period. The properties are farmed organically and biodynamically, and the wines are produced in deliberately small quantities. The principal vineyard-designated wines are Grace Family Estate and Cornelius Grove. A third wine, Reliquus, has been made since 2016 as a blend of fruit from the two estate vineyards. Rather than emphasizing one vineyard's specific terroir, Reliquus is intended to express the character of a vintage across the estate and is designed to be approachable earlier than the more site-specific bottlings. It has consequently appeared on the wine lists of prominent restaurants. The winery has also produced the second label Blank. Winemaking leadership has included Gary Galleron, Heidi Peterson Barrett, and Gary Brookman. Helen Keplinger became winemaker in 2014 and has continued to oversee winemaking and winegrowing with vineyard manager David Abreu. In 2019, Kathryn Green became the custodian of Grace Family Vineyards. Later critical recognition included perfect scores for the Grace Family Estate and Cornelius Grove wines from Antonio Galloni and James Suckling, respectively; Galloni also named Keplinger his winemaker of the year. Beyond wine production, the Grace family has connected the estate with philanthropy. The Grace Family Vineyards Foundation describes its mission as using wine as a catalyst toward healing the planet, with programs associated with India, Nepal, Mexico, Tibet, and the United States. The winery has participated in the Naples Winter Wine Festival since the event's first year in 2001. Large-format bottles donated to the festival's charity auctions generated substantial bids, including a 2003 Grace Family Cabernet Sauvignon Balthazar in 2006 and combined Grace Family and Blank Balthazars in 2012. These activities reinforce the brand's position as a scarce, collector-oriented Napa wine whose cultural profile extends beyond its limited annual production.

Grace Family Vineyards began in 1976, when Ann and Dick Grace planted one acre of vines in Napa Valley. The first vintage was produced in 1978 at Caymus, Chuck Wagner's winery. The estate expanded by another acre in 1985, but the vineyard was vulnerable to phylloxera because the vines had been planted on non-resistant rootstock. Oak root fungus also damaged the original planting, eventually requiring the entire acre to be replanted in 1995. The replanting caused a severe temporary reduction in production. Output fell from roughly 350 cases before the vineyard problems to 48 cases in 1996. That vintage was distributed through the winery's mailing list in an unusually small allocation of one 1-liter bottle per customer. Additional planting and replanting increased production to approximately 150 cases by 1998, but the winery retained a deliberately small scale. Grace Family developed a reputation as one of Napa Valley's original cult wineries. Its wines were associated with estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, scarcity, and a strong focus on vineyard character. The winery eventually managed two estate vineyard areas in St. Helena, separated by the West Napa Fault. The Grace estate is associated with a volcanic geological event approximately five million years ago. Heath Canyon Ranch, including the Cornelius Grove and Heath Canyon vineyards, reflects a combination of volcanic and fluvial activity from a much older geological period. The properties are farmed organically and biodynamically. Winemaking leadership passed from Gary Galleron, who served from 1988 to 1995, to Heidi Peterson Barrett and then Gary Brookman. Helen Keplinger became winemaker in 2014 and has also managed winegrowing at the estate alongside vineyard manager David Abreu. In 2019, Kathryn Green became the custodian of the winery. The estate's principal wines include Grace Family Estate and Cornelius Grove Vineyard. Since 2016, Reliquus has provided a blended expression of fruit from both estate vineyard areas. It is made to emphasize the character of a vintage rather than the separate terroirs of the vineyard-designated wines, and it is intended to be ready to drink earlier. The winery has also used the Blank name for a second label. Critical recognition later included 100-point assessments for Grace Family Estate and Cornelius Grove from Antonio Galloni and James Suckling, respectively. Galloni also selected Helen Keplinger as his winemaker of the year. The winery's public profile has been reinforced by its participation in charity events. Grace Family wines have been involved with the Naples Winter Wine Festival since 2001, and large-format bottles donated to its auctions generated high bids in 2006 and 2012. Philanthropy is central to the family's stated mission. The Grace Family Vineyards Foundation describes wine as a catalyst toward healing the planet and supports programs connected with India, Nepal, Mexico, Tibet, and the United States. Grace Family Vineyards therefore combines a small Napa estate-wine business with long-term vineyard stewardship, collector-oriented production, and international charitable activity.

• 2019

  Kathryn Green becomes custodian

  [1]Grace Family Vineyardsen.wikipedia.org

  Kathryn Green became custodian of Grace Family Vineyards.

• 2016

  Reliquus introduced

  [1]Grace Family Vineyardsen.wikipedia.org

  The winery began producing Reliquus, a blend drawn from its two estate vineyard areas.

• 2014

  Helen Keplinger becomes winemaker

  [1]Grace Family Vineyardsen.wikipedia.org

  Helen Keplinger took over winemaking and continued to manage winegrowing at the estate.

• 2001

  Naples Winter Wine Festival participation begins

  [1]Grace Family Vineyardsen.wikipedia.org

  Grace Family wines began participating in the Naples Winter Wine Festival from the event's first year.

• 1998

  Production recovers

  [1]Grace Family Vineyardsen.wikipedia.org

  Further planting and replanting brought production to approximately 150 cases.

• 1996

  Production reaches a low point

  [1]Grace Family Vineyardsen.wikipedia.org

  Production fell to 48 cases, which were allocated through the mailing list at one 1-liter bottle per customer.

• 1995

  Original acre replanted

  [1]Grace Family Vineyardsen.wikipedia.org

  Phylloxera and oak root fungus led to the complete replanting of the original acre.

• 1985

  Second acre planted

  [1]Grace Family Vineyardsen.wikipedia.org

  The estate added a second acre of vines before later vineyard disease and pest problems required extensive replanting.

• 1978

  First vintage

  [1]Grace Family Vineyardsen.wikipedia.org

  The winery's first vintage was produced at Caymus, the winery operated by Chuck Wagner.

• 1976

  First vineyard planting

  [1]Grace Family Vineyardsen.wikipedia.org

  Ann and Dick Grace planted the first acre of vines that became Grace Family Vineyards.

A scarce, collector-oriented Napa Valley cult winery centered on estate Cabernet Sauvignon, distinct vineyard geology, organic and biodynamic farming, and philanthropic engagement.

• Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

  Grace Family Estate

  The flagship estate wine of Grace Family Vineyards, made from fruit grown on the Grace estate in St. Helena. It represents the winery's classic, highly limited-production Cabernet Sauvignon style and emphasizes the character of the estate's volcanic soils. The wine is closely associated with the brand's cult-wine reputation and later received a 100-point assessment from Antonio Galloni.

• Vineyard-designated Cabernet Sauvignon

  Cornelius Grove Vineyard

  A vineyard-designated wine from the Cornelius Grove vineyard at Heath Canyon Ranch. Its identity is tied to the older and geologically distinct Heath Canyon property, where volcanic and fluvial influences differ from those of the Grace estate. Cornelius Grove forms one of the winery's principal site-specific expressions and has received a 100-point assessment from James Suckling.

• Estate blend · 2016

  Reliquus

  Introduced in 2016, Reliquus blends grapes from Grace Family Vineyards' two estate vineyard areas. Rather than presenting a single vineyard's distinct terroir, it is intended to express the character of the vintage across the estate. The wine is made to be approachable earlier than the vineyard-designated bottlings and has been found on the lists of prominent restaurants.

• Second label

  Blank

  Blank is a second-label wine associated with Grace Family Vineyards. It has appeared alongside Grace Family wines in charitable large-format offerings, including a Naples Winter Wine Festival auction lot in 2012.

• 2001Naples Winter Wine Festival partnership

  United States

  Grace Family wines have participated in the Naples Winter Wine Festival since the festival's first year. The relationship places scarce estate wines in a charity-auction setting and connects the winery's collector profile with philanthropic fundraising.

  Outcome. The partnership produced notable auction lots, including large-format bottles that attracted substantial bids.

  Source
• Grace Family Vineyards Foundation

  India · Nepal · Mexico · Tibet · United States

  The family foundation frames wine as a catalyst toward healing the planet and supports programs in several countries and regions, including India, Nepal, Mexico, Tibet, and the United States.

  Outcome. Specific program results are not detailed in the reference material.

  Source

• 2016

  Launch of ReliquusProduct launch

  Background

  The winery sought a wine expressing vintage character across its two estate vineyard areas rather than the distinct identity of one site.

  Action taken

  It introduced Reliquus, a blend of grapes from both estate vineyards, made for earlier drinking.

  Aftermath

  Reliquus became an additional estate offering and appeared on the wine lists of prominent restaurants.

  Source

• 2014

  Winemaking leadership changeStrategy

  Background

  The winery appointed new leadership for its winemaking and winegrowing program.

  Action taken

  Helen Keplinger took over as winemaker and continued to manage winegrowing alongside vineyard manager David Abreu.

  Aftermath

  The estate later received major critical recognition, including a 100-point assessment for Grace Family Estate and recognition of Keplinger as winemaker of the year by Antonio Galloni.

  Source

• 1995

  Complete vineyard replantingStrategy

  Background

  The original vineyard was affected by phylloxera-susceptible rootstock and oak root fungus.

  Action taken

  Grace Family Vineyards replanted the entirety of the original acre.

  Aftermath

  Production temporarily declined sharply, reaching 48 cases in 1996, before recovering to about 150 cases in 1998.

  Source

1. 1Grace Family Vineyardsen.wikipedia.org