Clos Pegase

Clos Pegase was founded in 1983 by Jan Shrem (1930-2024) and his wife Mitsuko. The first vintage was produced at Rombauer Vineyards before the estate winery was completed. Construction of the winery building, designed by architect Michael Graves through an international design competition judged by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, finished in 1987. The property was sold to Vintage Wine Estates in 2013, and as of 2024 it is owned by Jayson Adair under the Adair Family Wines portfolio.

• First vintage made at Rombauer Vineyards before the estate was built
• Winery designed by Michael Graves following a competition judged by SFMOMA
• Sold to Vintage Wine Estates in 2013; current owner Jayson Adair took over in 2024
• Named one of the inspirations for the Centre Pompidou's Chateau Bordeaux exhibit, the only foreign winery featured

Clos Pegase farms 450 acres across four vineyards in Napa Valley, spanning two distinct growing environments. The Calistoga vineyards sit in a warm climate, while the Carneros holdings benefit from cool Pacific influence. Applebone Vineyard (4 acres, Calistoga) features volcanic ash, alluvial soils, and Bale loam with gravel. Tenma Vineyard (40 acres, Calistoga foothills) has rocky terrain with sparse topsoil. Mitsuko's Vineyard (365 acres, Carneros), though sold in 2019, still supplies fruit under a sourcing arrangement and is planted on clay and chalk soils with sandy pebbles.

• Applebone Vineyard: 4 acres in Calistoga, volcanic ash and Bale loam with gravel
• Tenma Vineyard: 40 acres in Calistoga foothills, rocky terrain with sparse topsoil
• Mitsuko's Vineyard: 365 acres in Carneros, clay and chalk with sandy pebbles; sold 2019 but fruit still sourced
• Two climate zones: warm Calistoga and cool Carneros

Clos Pegase produces estate-grown, terroir-driven wines with a focus on classic Napa style and vineyard character. The portfolio spans a wide range of varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Viognier, Zinfandel, and Malbec. The winery's commitment to estate fruit means every wine reflects the specific soils and climates of its Calistoga and Carneros holdings.

• Cabernet Sauvignon is the flagship red variety, suited to the warm Calistoga climate
• Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are produced from the cool-climate Carneros fruit
• Mitsuko's Vineyard Chardonnay is among the estate's most recognized bottlings
• Full portfolio covers 12 varieties including Viognier, Malbec, and Petite Sirah

The winery building is widely described as a postmodern masterpiece merging modern and ancient Mediterranean design. It has been called both 'Napa Wine Temple' and 'America's first monument to wine.' Below the main structure, 20,000 square feet of wine caves provide controlled temperature and humidity for aging. A Cave Theater hosts special events. The estate grounds feature a Heritage Garden created in 2015, containing 19 heritage Jubaea Chilensis Wine Palms, the largest collection of this species on the West Coast north of Santa Barbara.

• Postmodern design by Michael Graves merges modern and ancient Mediterranean influences
• 20,000 square feet of underground wine caves with temperature and humidity control
• Heritage Garden (est. 2015) holds the largest West Coast collection of Jubaea Chilensis Wine Palms north of Santa Barbara
• Cave Theater used as a special events venue

Clos Pegase offers multiple tasting formats designed to showcase both its wines and its landmark estate. Options include the Daily Flight, the Garden Flight, and the Connoisseur Cave Tour, which takes guests through the 20,000-square-foot underground cave system. The combination of architectural significance, art collections, heritage gardens, and diverse wine offerings makes Clos Pegase a distinctive destination within Napa Valley.

• Daily Flight and Garden Flight tasting options available
• Connoisseur Cave Tour offers access to the underground cave system
• Estate grounds include the Heritage Garden with rare Jubaea Chilensis palms
• Art and architecture are central to the visitor experience alongside wine tasting