Cathiard Vineyard

The property that became Cathiard Vineyard was first established in 1885 by Scottish brothers James and William Rennie, making it one of Rutherford's oldest wine estates. Prohibition forced the winery to close in 1920, leaving it dormant as a ghost winery for more than a decade. Louis M. Martini acquired the site in 1933 and farmed it through the late 1970s, when the Komes-Garvey family took ownership and held the property until 2020. Florence and Daniel Cathiard purchased the estate in January 2020, launching a new chapter defined by dramatic reductions in volume and a sharp focus on terroir-driven wines.

• Founded 1885 by Scottish brothers James and William Rennie in Rutherford
• Closed during Prohibition in 1920 and operated as a ghost winery
• Louis M. Martini owned the property from 1933 through the late 1970s
• Komes-Garvey family held ownership from the late 1970s until the Cathiard acquisition in January 2020

Florence and Daniel Cathiard brought to Rutherford the philosophy they had developed over three decades at Château Smith Haut Lafitte, where a deep connection to nature has been a cornerstone since they acquired that Pessac-Léognan estate in 1990. The Cathiards' daughters, Mathilde Thomas and Alice Tourbier, have been actively involved in managing operations and shaping the estate's vision from the outset. Following the sudden death of Daniel Cathiard on January 28, 2026, management responsibilities transferred formally to Mathilde and Alice, while Florence moved into a supervisory board role. Mathilde is also the founder of Caudalie, the internationally recognized vinotherapy skincare brand, and Alice owns a luxury hotel, bringing complementary expertise in hospitality and brand-building.

• Cathiards have owned Château Smith Haut Lafitte in Pessac-Léognan since 1990
• Daughters Mathilde Thomas (Caudalie founder) and Alice Tourbier (luxury hotel owner) lead operations following Daniel Cathiard's death on January 28, 2026
• Florence Cathiard transitioned to a supervisory board role after Daniel's passing
• Connection to nature described as a cornerstone of the family's approach across all properties

Cathiard Vineyard's 220-acre estate sits at the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains, spanning the Rutherford and St. Helena appellations. Of the total acreage, 58 acres are currently planted, with the majority devoted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec. The oldest vines on the property date to 1983, are now approximately 45 years old, and grow at elevations reaching 1,200 feet, providing cooler conditions and concentrated fruit. In 2025 the estate launched a white wine program, planting Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Musqué, and Pinot Gris with the goal of producing a future field blend white wine.

• 220 acres total, 58 currently planted, in Rutherford and St. Helena AVAs at Mayacamas foothills
• Oldest vines planted 1983, now around 45 years old, growing at 1,200 feet elevation
• Red varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec
• 2025 white wine plantings: Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Musqué, and Pinot Gris, targeted for a future field blend

Winemaking at Cathiard Vineyard is guided by head winemaker Justine Labbé, with support from Fabien Teitgen of Smith Haut Lafitte, Bordeaux consulting legend Michel Rolland, and California-based consultant Frederick Ammons. The approach prioritizes gentle extraction and minimal pump-overs, and smaller barrels are used to fine-tune the style. The Cathiards invested in an on-site cooperage that is already operational, with the ambition that by 2026 every barrel used at the estate will be crafted there, a level of vertical integration rare in Napa Valley. The flagship wines include a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon labeled Cathiard Vineyard and two Bordeaux blends, Founding Brothers and Hora.

• Head winemaker Justine Labbé leads a team including Michel Rolland (consultant) and Fabien Teitgen of Smith Haut Lafitte
• Style emphasizes gentle extraction, minimal pump-overs, and smaller barrel formats
• On-site cooperage operational; target is 100% estate-made barrels by 2026
• Flagship wines: Cathiard Vineyard (100% Cabernet Sauvignon), Founding Brothers and Hora (both Bordeaux blends)

Cathiard Vineyard represents one of the most dramatic quality pivots in recent Napa Valley history, with output reduced from 670,000 to 62,000 bottles in a single ownership change. The family's established track record at Smith Haut Lafitte, combined with the advisory team assembled around Justine Labbé, signals serious long-term intent. The estate's first two vintages have already drawn exceptional critical scores, with the 2020 earning 97 points from James Suckling and the 2021 receiving 99 points from The Wine Independent. The planned on-site cooperage and the emerging white wine program show a producer thinking in decades rather than vintages, and the generational handover to Mathilde Thomas and Alice Tourbier ensures continuity of that vision.

• Production dropped from 670,000 to 62,000 bottles after the Cathiard acquisition, one of Napa's most significant quality-focused pivots
• First vintage (2020) scored 97 points (James Suckling); second vintage (2021) scored 99 points (The Wine Independent)
• On-site cooperage targets full self-sufficiency in barrel production by 2026
• Second-generation leadership from Mathilde Thomas and Alice Tourbier ensures continuity of the Cathiard philosophy