Barlow Vineyards

In 1994 our two generation enterprise, Warren and Jeanne Smith and Barr and Ann Smith, purchased 50 acres of vineyards just south of Calistoga at the upper end of the Napa Valley, an area well know for producing intense red wines. We relocated our family from Southern California seeking a life style change and to fulfill a life time dream.

In the first year the existing 25-year old Cabernet Sauvignon block was found to be badly diseased and was eliminated, leaving only one smaller block of disease resistant Cabernet Sauvignon, which was planted in 1992. The original Cabernet Sauvignon block was replanted with phylloxera resistant rootstock and clones 7 and 8 Cabernet Sauvignon. An eleven-acre block of Merlot was planted that year in a parcel that had been fallow for many years. The same year we added another parcel (4+ acres) of Merlot. Since that time, we have planted small blocks of Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Verdot.

Our entry as a wine producer came about as the result of making a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon, which was originally meant for family consumption. The winemaker informed us that the %100 single vineyard fruit had produced an outstanding full-bodied wine with marvelous flavors, a long finish and a great mouth feel. He suggested that we sell the wine instead of using it for Family and Friend's consumption, which we did. All 25 cases! It was an instant success.

Since 1997, we have made larger quantities of wine exclusively from these lyre-trellised, down-slope vineyards fruit and are approaching our goal of 2000 cases per year. The vineyard has its own Napa Valley microclimate, with characteristics of warm days and cool nights.

As the vineyard reaches maturity, so do the wines it produces.

Enjoy! The Smith Family