Ladera Vineyards

Pat and Anne Stotesbery founded Ladera Vineyards in 1999, but their vineyard journey began three years earlier with the acquisition of a Mount Veeder site in 1996. Lone Canyon Vineyard followed in 1997. In 2000, the Stotesburys acquired a historic Howell Mountain property whose origins trace to 1877, when Jean Brun and W.J. Chaix founded the operation; the stone winery building itself was completed in 1886, and the estate later became known as Chateau Woltner. The stone winery on that estate was constructed by Chinese workers and remains one of Napa Valley's most storied sites. Ladera's first wines were produced in 1999, with the Reserve Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon establishing itself as the winery's flagship. The Howell Mountain vineyard was sold to the PlumpJack Group, now home to CADE Winery, in 2016, and Ladera relocated its operations to the Silverado Trail in St. Helena in June 2020.

• First Napa vineyard acquired 1996 on Mount Veeder; Lone Canyon added 1997
• Historic Howell Mountain estate founded 1877 by Brun and Chaix; stone winery building completed 1886
• Stone winery on Howell Mountain built by Chinese workers in the 19th century
• Howell Mountain property sold to PlumpJack Group (CADE Winery) in 2016

Ladera draws fruit from high-elevation mountain sites across multiple Napa Valley AVAs. The Howell Mountain vineyards sit at 1,600 to 1,800 feet on volcanic soils and loam-filled slopes, with a cool mountain climate marked by significant diurnal temperature variation. These conditions produce wines with concentrated fruit, energetic natural acidity, and firm structure without excessive extraction. Beyond Napa's mountain AVAs, Ladera also sources from the Pillow Road Estate Vineyard in California's Russian River Valley, where cooler conditions support Pinot Noir and Chardonnay production. All sourced vineyards are organically farmed.

• Howell Mountain sites at 1,600 to 1,800 feet elevation on volcanic soils
• Cool mountain nights preserve acidity and produce structured, balanced wines
• Sources from multiple AVAs: Howell Mountain, Mount Veeder, and Russian River Valley
• All vineyards are organically farmed

Ladera's wine portfolio centers on Cabernet Sauvignon, with two tiers at the top of the range. The Reserve Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is the founding flagship wine. The premium 'S' Cabernet Sauvignon is assembled from hand-selected barrels. Across both, the house style favors balance and elegance over power, with mountain-grown concentration tempered by fresh acidity. The winery also produces Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, with the latter two sourced from the Pillow Road Estate in Russian River Valley. All wines are produced in small quantities with limited availability.

• Reserve Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is the flagship wine
• Premium 'S' Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from hand-selected barrels
• Pinot Noir and Chardonnay come from Pillow Road Estate in Russian River Valley
• Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc round out the portfolio

Ladera operates as a small, family-owned boutique producer with a by-appointment-only tasting model at its Silverado Trail location in the St. Helena area of Napa Valley. Winemaker Jade Barrett has guided production since 2012. The winery's small-production philosophy aligns with its mountain-vineyard focus, where site limitations naturally constrain yields. Wine and Spirits Magazine recognized Ladera as the 6th most respected wine brand in America's fine dining restaurants.

• Winemaker Jade Barrett joined in 2012
• Located on Silverado Trail; tastings by appointment only
• Ranked 6th most respected brand in American fine dining by Wine and Spirits Magazine
• Small-production, limited-quantity releases