Deep roots
Growing and making wine for over 20 years in the Napa Valley, our dedicated team is committed to sustainable farming and artistry in winemaking. The journey from grape to bottle begins in the vineyard, with organic practices tailored each year to match the growing season and specific needs of each vine. This control and utmost attention to detail allows us to produce wines of purity, authenticity, and purpose.
Join us as we continue our passion of bringing you wines worthy of your enjoyment.
JULIEN FAYARD, WINEMAKER
With more than two decades of winemaking expertise, Julien Fayard is one of Napa Valley’s most respected winemakers producing California varietals with French finesse. He believes in producing wines with an identity, exploiting what makes each one unique. Julien’s wines are a pure expression of their terroir, highlighting the specificities and characteristics of the fruit, vineyard management, soil and climate. He has a track record of building brands both in terms of quality and market presence.
Originally from France, Julien began his career as a winemaker producing quality rosé at his family’s winery in Provence. In Bordeaux he worked at Lafite Rothschild and Smith Haut Laffite before relocating to Napa Valley. In Napa, he was Philippe Melka’s director of winemaking for a few years before launching his own
projects.
Julien earned his Master in Agri-Business from ESA France and his Master in Winemaking from Toulouse France. In 2011, he received his MBA from UC Davis.
Ernie Ilsley, Viticulturist
Ernie Ilsley, Vineyard Manager and Viticulturist for CHÂTEAU NAPA, is a third generation Napa Valley grapegrower with memories of growing grapes going back to his youth in the mid 1970s. “Most of the vineyards were head-pruned without trellis wires or irrigation. The farming practices used today were developed over the past 30 years, testing and running trials on canopy management, row direction, rootstocks, clones as well as many other viticulture practices.”
Today, the irrigation and nutrition is carefully monitored and delivered using state-of-the-art technology. “It’s been gratifying to be part of this evolution”, Ernie says, “we are now growing world class grapes in the Napa Valley, and organic practices are my specialty. The grapes for CHÂTEAU NAPA are of the highest quality, and the wine speaks for itself.”
