Napanook is on the west side of the Napa Valley facing the town of Yountville, approximately one-third of the way up the valley. At the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains, it is located between the valley floor and the hillside—we call it the foothills. Historical records show that in 1836 George Yount, who gave his name to Yountville, planted the first vines of the valley on the location of Napanook vineyard, before selling the land in 1850 to Charles Hopper.
Since then, Napanook has had several owners, including Hugh La Rue, one of the pioneers in the use of rootstock and John Daniel, famous for the Inglenook Cask Selection.
Christian Moueix fell in love with the valley and its wines while studying at U.C. Davis in 1968 and 1969. After many years of searching the ideal vineyard location, in 1982 he entered into a joint venture with Robin Lail and Marcia Smith, John Daniel's two daughters.
This was the birth of Dominus, and its first vintage was harvested in 1983. Since then, Christian Moueix has worked to restore the unique character of the original vineyard. He became full owner in 1995.
