O’Brien Family Vineyard is a small, family-owned vineyard between Napa and Yountville, west of Highway 29. The property includes 26 acres of Merlot, 4 acres of Chardonnay, 2 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, 1 acre of Cabernet Franc, and an 8,400 case winery facility.
This region, recently designated the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley appellation, is ideal for growing both chardonnay and merlot grapes. Wine history was made in 1976 at the now famous Paris wine tasting, where French judges, in a blind tasting, were stunned to learn that they had judged two California wines to be superior to the most highly rated French wines. The top-rated white wine was the Chateau Montelena 1973 Chardonnay, made from grapes grown on the Hanna vineyard adjoining our vineyard.
Michael Hanna is both our vineyard and cellar manager. Michael is the great-greatgrandson of John Muir, the internationally renowned naturalist. He has five generations of Napa grape growing experience using organic and sustainable farming techniques.
O'Brien Family Vineyard is owned by Bart and Barb O'Brien, who purchased the former Costello winery from John Costello in March 2000. The winery was built in 1978 and produced approximately 8,400 cases of Chardonnay annually. The winery is unusual in that it is entirely self-contained, with everything required to turn grapes into wine, including a bottling line.
