Inglenook

Inglenook is one of the most historically significant wine estates in the United States — a Rutherford property with roots stretching back to 1879, when Finnish sea captain Gustave Niebaum established it as one of Napa Valley's original grand estates. The property passed through several hands over the decades, declining from its original glory, until filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola purchased the estate in 1975 and spent the next four decades painstakingly restoring it to its former grandeur. In 2011, Coppola completed the restoration by reacquiring the Inglenook name itself, reuniting the brand with the property for the first time in decades.

The flagship wine is Rubicon, a Bordeaux-style estate blend that represents the best of the Inglenook vineyards in Rutherford — a sub-appellation famous for its distinctive 'Rutherford Dust' terroir character, a signature earthiness and cocoa-like quality that marks the finest wines from this benchland. Rubicon is blended from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, and is produced only in exceptional vintages. The Cask Cabernet Sauvignon and Edizione Pennino Zinfandel (named for Coppola's maternal grandfather) round out a portfolio steeped in both history and quality.

The estate itself is breathtaking. The historic chateau, originally built by Niebaum in the 1880s, has been meticulously restored and now serves as the centrepiece of the visitor experience. The property encompasses over 235 acres of vineyards in the heart of Rutherford, and the grounds include a reflecting pool, gardens, and the original stone winery building. For visitors who appreciate the intersection of history, cinema, and wine, Inglenook offers one of the most layered and rewarding experiences in Napa Valley.