Vineyard to Know and Visit: Heitz Wine

Heitz Wine Cellars is a renowned vineyard located in Napa Valley, California, that has been producing some of the finest wines in the region for over 60 years. The vineyard was founded in 1961 by Joe and Alice Heitz, who were pioneers in the winemaking industry and played an instrumental role in establishing Napa Valley as one of the world's premier wine regions.

The Heitz family was among the first to recognize the potential of the valley's climate and soil for growing premium wine grapes, and they were committed to making wines that reflected the unique characteristics of the region. They began by purchasing a small, rundown vineyard in St. Helena and set about revitalizing it with the help of renowned viticulturist André Tchelistcheff.

The vineyard's most famous wine is undoubtedly the Heitz Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is made from grapes grown in a single vineyard in Oakville, and it has become a benchmark for Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Other notable wines produced by Heitz include their Chardonnay, Grignolino, and Zinfandel.

The Heitz winery has long been known for its commitment to traditional winemaking techniques, including the use of French oak barrels and minimal intervention during the fermentation process. This approach allows the wines to express the full range of flavors and aromas that are unique to the Napa Valley terroir.

The winery is currently run by the second generation of the Heitz family, with Kathleen Heitz Myers and David Heitz continuing their parents' legacy of producing exceptional wines. The head winemaker is Brittany Sherwood, who has been with Heitz since 2012 and has helped to maintain the winery's reputation for producing wines of exceptional quality.

For those interested in learning more about Heitz Wine Cellars, the vineyard has an active presence on social media, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The winery's website also provides a wealth of information about their history, winemaking philosophy, and current offerings. In addition, there are many resources available online for those interested in exploring the wines of Napa Valley and the broader California wine region.